Archives for January 2015

‘While the Buffalo Bills could certainly come away from the 2015 NFL Draft with a quarterback, the prevailing opinion is that the 2015 Senior Bowl lacks a difference maker at the position. In past years, players like Philip Rivers, Russell Wilson and Derek Carr have been able to steal the show in Mobile. On Tuesday, the best quarterback was probably Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson, who has a chance to play himself into the second day of the draft with a strong showing this week. If the Bills are looking for a mid-round quarterback with some upside, Grayson fits the bill.’

‘An NFL football stadium is too large for any of the three proposed downtown sites. Too many people will come, and they won’t come often enough to justify the type of infrastructure, such as a monorail to a new city of parking, or better yet, a working regional public transportation system, that would be needed to make this thing work.’

‘For instance: Do we really need a new stadium now that the Pegulas have committed to keeping the Bills in Western New York? Who will ultimately decide whether a new stadium is built? Which of the four “shortlisted” locations identified in the report-the Cobblestone District, the Exchange Street site, Orchard Park, or the South Park site-would be best overall for our region? Are any of the non-shortlisted sites worthy of further consideration? Should a new stadium be an open-air, football-focused venue or a domed roof, multi-purpose facility? If the new venue includes a dome, should it be retractable or non-retractable? How much of the development costs, if any, should be shouldered by taxpayers when Buffalo’s residents have so many pressing needs? Etc. Etc.’

‘Gibbons’ contract was set to expire in June, a source said.’

‘Hamlin says his contract is a two-year deal and he will leave for Buffalo this weekend and have meetings next week. Some of his duties as quality control coach will deal with breaking down film and advance scouting on opponents. He said he will get the rest of his duties when he meets with the other coaches Monday.’

‘Lynn was previously with the New York Jets, where he worked as the running backs coach from 2009 through 2014, and earned the assistant head coach title in 2013. Lynn has also coached running backs for the Browns, Cowboys, and Jaguars.’

‘”You leave a place and you just think, ‘Golly I’m going to miss some people.’ The people in Buffalo were great to me, great to our staff,” Lee told the John Murphy Show on location in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. “The greatest thing about being there were the people and you can’t say that about everywhere I’ve been, but you can there and I’m certainly glad to be back. Excited about what Rex is going to do with this entire organization. It’s going to be fun to be part of it.”‘

‘”But it starts with a system,” Ryan said. “You’ve got to have a system that’s flexible and plays to the strength of, not just your quarterback, but all your players. And then make sure you’ve got the right guys that are teaching. I’m certainly not going to teach the position.’

‘So much for all those head-coaching opportunities that beckoned when Marrone bolted the Bills.’

‘”Everybody has their own reasons or whatever, but the main thing is you’re a football player,” Ryan said. “We can go get a track and field guy if we want someone to run fast. But getting the opportunity to come out, compete against the best of the best in the country, I think it’s just a great opportunity. It does put up a little flag on why somebody wouldn’t take that opportunity. There’s nothing to be fearful of. Just go out here and compete. I think that’s more important than what you run at the Combine.”‘

‘”I think it’s a real selling point here, the type of person (Whaley) is, how you can see this is about the team, and I think that’s the only thing,” Ryan said. “It’s not ego-driven whatsoever. It’s like, ‘Let’s go out and get the right guy.’ You can see the excitement he has, especially when you bring up a guy and he already know this guy and (says), ‘Oh, you’re going to love this guy.’ I think we look at players the same way. I’m really excited to see that process go through. I want to be heavily involved and just, ‘Hey, bring me with you and I’ll sit there and watch tape with you, whatever it is.’ I’m looking forward to that.”‘

‘”No, I didn’t really get into it,” Bradley said Tuesday at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. “For me, it was obviously that he’s a good teacher, a good developer and a good person. The topics that we talked about, I think one thing we feel is really important is humility. If you have humility you identify your weaknesses and get better at those. I just felt a great sense of humility. Unbelievable visit, unbelievable visit.”‘

‘Lance McAlister of ESPN Radio in Cincinnati was joined by Jackson’s agent, who said they both felt really good after the Bills’ first round of interviews.’

‘Bryce Petty, Baylor; Blake Sims, Alabama; Shane Carden, East Carolina; Sean Mannion, Oregon State; Nick Marshall, Auburn.’

‘You never really want to gloat over someone else’s misfortune, but it doesn’t seem improper to suggest that Marrone is getting just what he deserves.’