Archives for March 24, 2016

'“We’ve had points of emphasis in the past; they needed teeth,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said as this week’s league meeting at the Boca Resort and Club concluded. “Sportsmanship is important to us. The message from the membership, our clubs and the coaches is they’re going to be held to those high standards.”'

'The NFL also has chosen the Rams as the first team to play a regular-season game in China in 2018.'

'A source with intimate knowledge of the NFL’s stadium situations described Ralph Wilson Stadium as one of the “three worst stadiums in the league,” along with those in Oakland and San Diego. It will look only worse when compared to state-of-the-art palaces such as AT&T Stadium in Dallas, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., and the new stadium in Los Angeles that will be the home of the former St. Louis Rams in 2019.'

'“I think when John hits the field, I think we’ll immediately see that enthusiasm,” said Ryan. “The guy was very successful with his stint with the Cowboys, won two Super Bowl rings there; always been recognized as one of the best defensive line coaches out there. We’re just happy to add him to our staff.”'

'“We got beat, in my opinion, on two calls last year that really contributed to us losing games,” Ryan said. “I just want to get it right. I think like everybody, we just want to get it right. You don’t want to lose a game based on a call. These guys are human, they make mistakes, and you know what, it’s just a way of getting the call right. So I think that’s good for the game.”'

'“Adding my brother, he's a hell of a football coach, so I think that's a great addition for us,” Rex said. “I think the moves we've made there (including the hiring of line coach John Blake, and safeties coach Ed Reed) are going to help our football team. Rob's an expert and I think putting him in there with Dennis Thurman is huge for us. It takes us to another level, I think, and anytime you can do that, obviously that's what you try to do.”'

'The rule will allow teams to have more flexibility when deciding whether to designate a player to return from the injured reserve. Under this rule, a team could choose from their players on injured reserve which player to have return to practice provided that player's six weeks on injured reserve has passed.'

'"I think the agent's probably the most disappointed of all, obviously," Ryan said Tuesday. "But there's a football team to run, not just one player. For the agent, you know, he's got a player, so I get it. But you have to do what's in the best interest of your team and not just one player."'

'"I'm not surprised," Payton said. "I still think it will happen here. There's only 32 of them, and there's a lot of competition for each team to find the guy they're looking for. Doug and I stay in touch. I think he's doing a good job in Jacksonville, and it won't be a year or two from now where all of a sudden his name is surfacing. I think that will happen."'

'"I really don't know what happened there, so until it fully comes out, I know he hasn't been charged with anything," Kelly said. "I know I never had an incident with him when I was there. He did everything we wanted when I was there, so I would let that whole thing play out before anyone passes any judgement on him. LeSean's a really good person."'

'"He needs to step up. We handed that off to Manny Lawson. But Preston, to me, … that's going to be a challenge. And we're going to put a pretty good coach with him to make sure that that goes the way we want it to."'

'Ryan indicated that he would be happy to have his wide-out back if he's healthy: “Fans saw some of it last year, that when he’s healthy, he can be a difference maker,” Ryan said of Harvin. “Combining him with our other weapons is exciting to me. If he comes back, I would be absolutely happy to have him back.”'

'The Bills have a good mix of players here and all can basically play inside in a 4-3 or outside in a 3-4. But they want to add talent and depth in the draft and could very well do it with one of their early picks with all the talent available in this draft.'

'“John’s great expertise I think is his pass rush, maybe a different way of looking at some things,” Ryan says. “The way he attacks people. Jerry Hughes has used John in the summer, he has gone and worked out with John all the time. He is an expert there no question about it.”'