Archives for May 2016

'There are four other tiers to classify the games: Gold, silver, bronze, and preseason. The Bills have designated the home games against the Arizona Cardinals (September 25), San Francisco 49ers (October 16), New England Patriots (October 30), and Pittsburgh Steelers (December 11) as gold games, with individual tickets ranging from $80 to $140.'

'Incognito was joined by both cornerback Ronald Darby (82nd) and wide receiver Sammy Watkins (95th) as the only three members of the team to crack the rankings. Defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, left tackle Cordy Glenn, cornerback Stephon Gilmore, and quarterback Tyrod Taylor all did not make the annual list.'

'Listenbee (6-0, 197) was the 192nd overall pick and the first of two sixth-round selections for Buffalo. Blessed with world class speed, the TCU product ran a 4.39 40-time at the NFL combine in February despite having a sports hernia. It was the second fastest time posted by a receiver in Indianapolis this past winter. He also had a 35 ½-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot, nine-inch broad jump.'

'This year’s tiers will include the inaugural platinum game, four gold games, one silver game, two bronze games and two preseason games.'

'The Bills did not announce the terms of Seymour's contract, as per team policy, but the rookie wage scale takes most of the guess work out of the contract. Last year's 218th overall selection, offensive lineman Anthony Morris of the Oakland Raiders, signed a four-year deal worth $2.359 million, with a signing bonus of nearly $80,000 – the only guaranteed portion of the contract.'

'“I am just elated and delighted his number is going to be retired,” Levy said. “I know Bruce. He is smiling and will stay smiling now and all the way to that date.”'

'"The odds were against it," Levy said. "A lot of things happen with the odds against it. He had an over-impressive impression of himself at that time and how it ought to be. But he really did turn the corner and Darryl Talley had a big impact on him and I think the teammates that did keep coming in (did too). Bill Polian and I, along with Mr. Wilson, made the agreement we would bring in only players of high character onto our team. The personalities might be very different of each other. Some extroverts, some more quiet and laid back. They all eventually had a great impact on each other."'

'And to receive this news a day later, it just shows how great God is and he just continues to bless my career, the hard work, just everything surrounding my career. So, where it sits, I think it fits right at the top with being inducted into the Hall of Fame. And there’s so many other honors that have been bestowed upon me. I’m very grateful and thankful.'

'A fine way for the Bills to mitigate any perceived idolatry would have been letting some undrafted rookie wear No. 32 in training camp long ago. But this year would be an appropriate time to reintroduce it. Rookie running back Jonathan Williams, a fifth-round draft choice, wore No. 32 at Arkansas.'

'“We laugh and joke, and at the end of the day nobody takes it personal,” Smith recalled Wednesday morning during a conference call with reporters. “You know me, I like to instigate things. I looked at Jim after about the third or fourth glass of wine and I said to him, ‘How did you get your jersey retired before us? You weren’t even the best player on the team.’”'

'"The NFL itself doesn't encourage a lot of number retirements because pretty soon you run out of numbers a little bit, but it's merited and I'm just glad it's happening now," Levy said Wednesday. "Some things do take longer to occur than maybe you think they would have. I don't have any criticisms of it. I'm just elated and delighted that his number is going to be retired, and I know Bruce, he's smiling and will stay smiling between now all the way to that date."'

'"How hard he played each and every Sunday," Brandon said when asked what he would remember about Smith. "His commitment. And I remember after a game, something I'll take with me the rest of my life, it was a pretty tough defeat. I don't remember which game it was, we were pretty down the next day and Bruce came up to the office and said 'There's a 24-hour rule. This is how we've been so successful in the organization. You and everyone else needs to get over this like we do because we have to go back to work. And that was the kind of work ethic and intensity and that entire team brought each and every day. Just watching him at his craft, he was an amazing, unbelievable player and I know the numbers speak for themselves."'

'But the other in the offseason I understand he went back to Virginia Tech to finish his degree, which was good. There he met a woman counselor who put him on the right track in every respect. Boy he dropped weight with the urgings of her and Darryl. Shaped up and got ready, his principles changed. He not only turned out to be the greatest player, he married that woman, what a wife she was, his wife Carmen. So those people had great impact on him. What a change in his practice habits, his excitement about playing the game, all of those things occurred."'

'“I remember I started playing in the Denbigh Youth Football league, and ever since then the NFL has been there in my mind,” Lewis said.'

'"I didn't know exactly what I was getting into and the expectations, but I quickly learned." Smith said. "I've got to tell you, it was one of the most fulfilling experiences that God could've placed in front of me. I'm truly grateful and thankful."'