Archives for January 2016

'“There are so many other females in very important roles in football organizations, whether it’s in administration, athletic trainers, public relations, so many departments have women,” Smith added. “Kim Pegula, for example, is our owner. I’m an entry level coach. So yes I might be the first coach, but I’m not the only woman in the building or dealing with the coaches or players on a daily basis. So that’s how I’m looking at it.”'

'“She wasn’t the best player on those teams, but she worked as hard as anybody and was respected as much as anybody,” Wleklinski said. “It’s great to see she continued to work hard while at St. John’s and with the Jets and, now, the Bills.”'

'"She goes from being someone hard-working, doing the right stuff, to all of a sudden being the answer to a trivia question. And it couldn't happen to a nicer person," Wleklinski added. "You couldn't have foreseen this happening. I don't think anybody could. But all that we are is just proud in knowing that she worked hard to get to where she is. She earned this."'

'"You always wonder what results your sacrifices, your work and your efforts will allow to happen, and this has happened in very real time, and I think it's exciting."'

'Because you can't have an NFL head coach who's never played football, can you? Well, actually, you can, if he's a man. Todd Haley, now the Steelers' offensive coordinator, became head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs even though he never played organized football, not even in high school.'

'Quality Control Coach is often a thankless, tireless job. They aren’t the coaches who ever get their name in headlines. Long hours are put in staring at computer entries and having to pay attention to minute details. But it’s a very important position all teams rely upon in all three phases of the game. It’s an entry-level coaching position that allows those who stick with it and do a good job to possibly move into roles as a position coach, and maybe go on from there.'

'The second five of 20 edge rushers to know when it comes to the Bills…'.

'“I was surprised at first, but I also know Rex really puts a lot of faith in his staff and his people, so from that standpoint it made sense knowing I’ve worked with Rex directly and indirectly for a number of years,” said Smith. “So he knows my work ethic and what I’ve done in the past, but it was a bit surprising that he came to me with this.”'

'A restricted free agent can sign a contract offer from another team, but if their original team – in this case, the Bills – offered a one-year qualifying offer at a price determined by the NFL, that original team would have the right to match whatever contract offer the player receives, or possibly be entitled to draft-pick compensation, depending on the amount of the qualifying offer they made.'

'The Bills did not make Smith available to the media Wednesday night, nor did they include any comments from her in their release. A team spokesman said he planned to talk with her in “upcoming days” and guessed the earliest she would address reporters would be at some point after the Super Bowl, which is scheduled for Feb. 7.'

'Gilmore plays a premium position in today's pass-happy NFL — cover corners are rare. So the question is, do the Bills pay him like an elite cornerback? One of the greats believes so because he sees Deion-like traits in Gilmore. Five-time Pro Bowler Darren Woodson views Gilmore as at least a “top 6” cornerback who is “absolutely” in the upper echelon.'

'"You just have to be able to relate to guys," Reed said. "Relate to players, relate to the person. I've been running my football camp for 14 years, and coaching kids, and trying to help kids out. I mentored a bunch of guys on every level — high school, college and pros. So I think I've already been a coach for that matter.'

'“His thing is how you approach the game. He’s monitoring everything, where Rex is more if it’s a big game against whatever team — you know how important this game is, I shouldn’t have to tell you to study, I shouldn’t have to tell you to get in your playbook, I shouldn’t have to tell you those types of things. You shouldn’t be out late, you should be already mentally focused for this game. Chip’s more on you. He has his thing with the sleep and different things. They’re obviously a lot different but they all have the same goal.”'

'As the Bills look ahead to 2016, they can at least take solace in the fact that they are set at this key position (though Gilmore is in the final year of his contract and needs to be extended) and they can take aim at safety and linebacker to improve the defense.'

'Smith takes the place of Michael Hamlin, who was relieved of his duties shortly after the 2015 season ended. Smith has worked 13 years in the NFL, the first 12 with the New York Jets, and last year with the Bills.'