Archives for June 2016

'"I think they think we need a new stadium, that's where they're coming from," Pegula said. "You listen to that and you make your own judgment. Our stadium is one of the older venues in the league, if not the oldest."'

'Multiple NFL owners, including the New York Giants' John Mara, told The Buffalo News at the owners meetings in March that the Bills should be making strides toward building a new facility.'

'However, indications I've received are that Gilmore's agent is looking for a deal in the range of what Josh Norman recently signed with the Washington Redskins which made him the highest paid player at his position in the league. Norman got $75 million over five years with $50 million guaranteed. The Bills are unlikely willing to go that high for Gilmore, who hinted last week he could miss some training camp time over the contractual situation.'

'Cynics, of course, will point to that fact that winning the offseason doesn’t seem to be the proper assessment of a team that won’t have its top draft choice (defensive end Shaq Lawson) until possibly halfway through the regular season due to a shoulder injury, with its top wide receiver (Sammy Watkins) recovering from foot surgery that will likely delay his starting training camp, its star second-year running back (Karlos Williams) grossly overweight, and with no obvious No. 2 wideout.'

'“I don’t want no outside distractions. I’m a pro now, I don’t need that. I have an agent, I have a lawyer, y’all talk about it with them. But other than that, I’m out here practicing, I’m on time, I’m working out, I’m getting in shape. Don’t bring it to me, I don’t want no outside distractions.'

'The Buffalo Bills announced a slew of changes to their scouting and training staffs on Tuesday, moving one of the higher members on the front-office totem pole into a new role.'

'PSE’s Mark Preisler and the Bills’ Marc Honan believe the move of John Murphy’s WGR radio show on the Bills to noon to 3 p.m. from nights will enable Murphy and a new co-host to get more players and coaches to guest on the program being aired live from studios at Ralph Wilson Stadium.'

'But even then, with the threat of the team moving out of town if those seats weren’t sold, there were whispers that a new stadium might have been a smarter play than gussying up what soon became known as Ralph Wilson Stadium. And through the years, those whispers grew louder and louder to the point where, when the next major renovation plan was put into motion, there was clear opposition. Some of it was local, but most of it emanated from other NFL owners who thought it was foolhardy to spend more money on a stadium entering its fifth decade of existence.'

'"He's got to understand that it's a business and you've got to be patient," Dareus said. "You have to be patient, you can't just be like this, like that. You still have a job. You still have a job. Do your job and just come to be patient. Let things fall as they may."'

'MSG also has the right to carry any of the Pegula Sports-produced programs in areas beyond Western New York where it is carried, meaning the programs could air in Syracuse.'

'“I know it is a risk,” Goodwin says. “I want a second contract. I’d love it to be in Buffalo. I love football. But I know how important it is to live your life like you want to. I know some organizations wouldn’t allow that, but Rex [Ryan] does and I’m so appreciative of that.”'

'Pete Harris has been promoted to College Area Scout. Harris, who is entering his ninth season with the Bills, spent the past three seasons as the team’s BLESTO Scout. He spent time as a scouting assistant for the team during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.'

'Kelvin Fisher has been named Player Personnel Advisor. Prior to coming to Buffalo in 2013, Fisher spent 13 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers after joining the team in 2000.'

'Bud Carpenter has been promoted to Director of Athletic Training Operations. Carpenter is entering his 32nd season with the Bills and served the past 21 years as the team's head athletic trainer. He was recently selected to the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. Carpenter, who originally joined the team in 1985, attended St. Bonaventure and SUNY Fredonia.'

'“I can play pretty much any position: secondary, nickel, corner, free safety, strong safety, dom,” he said in the final day of mandatory minicamp. “That’s what we did with me in New Orleans when I was with Rob, so that’s what I’m here for. Just be that guy that can help out in any position.”'