Archives for August 2014

‘Cuomo told reporters Friday in Niagara Falls the state and county negotiated a long-term lease with the Bills two years ago and have spent $170 million renovating the existing stadium.’

‘Tuel, who went 4-for-5 for 24 yards with an interception, connected with Chris Summers from a yard out to make it a 20-12 game with less than six minutes left in the final stanza.’

‘The Pegulas and Bon Jovi’s Toronto-based group were also scheduled to attend presentations, which provide prospective buyers with an opportunity to receive detailed financial and background information on the franchise to help them prepare their formal bids. Those bids are expected to be due within three weeks.’

‘Brown led all rushers with 64 yards on 11 carries while Robert Woods finished with 31 yards on four receptions. Sammy Watkins caught his first passes as a Bill, bringing in three for 21 yards.’

‘”Well, I thought they did a nice job, especially EJ,” head coach Doug Marrone said. “I think he was nine for 13 and really moved the team. It was up to the people around him to really get the ball in, as I talked about before. We’ve been creating opportunities and we’ve got to take advantage of it.”‘

‘This is professional sports and there are going to be good and bad things that go on in every game. Marrone’s troops have had some pretty bad practices in the first three weeks at St. John Fisher. I think there were many things that went well in this game that could help give them some confidence as they move forward to practice with the Steelers followed by a game in Pittsburgh.’

‘In the opening preseason game the Bills only allowed EJ Manuel to throw the ball on very scripted plays. There weren’t many, if any, five-step drops that allowed the young quarterback to scan the field. That limited where he was looking, but also created safe, secure throws to get his feet wet in action. The results weren’t exactly sterling from a statistical perspective, but he did show to be crisp and decisive with this particular game plan.’

‘Buffalo surrendered an early 3-0 lead, but used a pair of turnovers to score 10 unanswered points to end the first half up a touchdown (13-6). After a scoreless third quarter the Panthers put together an 80-yard scoring drive off a takeaway of their own, but chose to try and take the lead after closing to within one. Their two-point conversion failed leaving the Bills a point ahead (13-12) with 11:32 to play.’

‘Hogan did not turn in a lot of plays, but every one of them was important to the outcome of the game. His first catch and run went for 32 yards as he converted a 3rd-and-3 play at the Carolina 43 to extend a field goal drive.’

‘Here’s a guy who lost a son, Hunter, who was diagnosed with globoid-cell leukodystrophy (Krabbe disease) shortly after his birth and died at the age of 8. Rather than become bitter, Kelly dedicated the rest of his life to raising funds to help others battling Hunter’s disease and others with similar afflictions. Now that he’s struggling, everyone is rallying around him, and rightly so.’

‘Monitoring Manuel’s progress will be a theme of the preseason. The Bills are going to go only as far as Manuel will take them this season, so he needs to start looking more comfortable in the pocket. Yes, it’s only preseason, but the Bills want the first-team offense to start showing some life.’

‘G Cyril Richardson looks to be the guard who is in closest pursuit of incumbent starter Kraig Urbik, since Chris Hairston has been shifted back to tackle. The fifth-round pick has proven to be a good drive blocker. Handling nimble pass rushers and picking up twists and stunts will be where he has to show his awareness and technique.’

‘Bills apologists point to oversensitive media types who take his intermittent crabbiness as a personal affront. Some conclude that Marrone is crumbling under the uncertainty of ownership. Others argue that Marrone is mimicking championship coaches such as Bill Belichick and Gregg Popovich.’

‘In addition to the three previously confirmed bidders, The News has learned former Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano finally submitted a bid, while Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly has aligned with an unknown bidder and met with the trust Thursday.’