Archives for January 14, 2017

'"When you look at it, obviously the quarterback play in this league is critical," McDermott said. "I know– I actually just met Tyrod 10 minutes ago before we came down here, had a nice conversation. Really at this point, whether it's Tyrod's situation or any other position, let's not get ahead of ourselves right now in terms of those positions. I'm going to go through and evaluate every position group, every player the same way I do everything else, in a methodic nature. So with respect to specific players, Tyrod in this case, there will be a time for that. Right now, it's about this organization and 'we' and getting this thing looking the way it needs to look.'

'"This is a team effort," Whaley said. "We're working together to get this franchise to where we know it should be. It starts at the top. The Pegulas' mantra is we're working together, we're not working for them. And that perpetuates through every level of this organization."'

'The first people I want to address is the players, our players some of whom are here today. I am proud to be one of you, it is an honor to coach you and I look forward to doing this together. I understand the expectations that come with the job of this magnitude and I accept that challenge. I am looking to build a culture of winning and that starts insides these walls and extends to our community.'

'"Sean's a great coach, but he's an even better person. He is intelligent and very thoughtful. He's got natural leadership skills. The Buffalo Bills are in great hands under his leadership. It's been a pleasure knowing him over the years. I'm not surprised by this opportunity, and I won't be surprised by the success he has in Buffalo."'

'"First off, I think that all started with some false information printed in the national media about our organization," said Terry Pegula. "I've got to believe it's from people who have no idea what our organization's like or how we operate within. I honestly believe that. I disagree with their opinions, and I can tell you one thing: We had a lot of applications and people who wanted that coaching job with the Bills. So I don't know what these guys are writing about."'

'Having identified a head coach is one. Lynn, 48, will be looked upon to infuse an added toughness to a locker room with an ever-creative tendency to lose close games. Eighteen of the Chargers’ 23 losses the past two years were decided by a one-score margin, including nine of 11 this season.'

'“I know there’s a lot of work to be done and I’m going to give everything I have to the Chargers, the Spanos family and the City of Los Angeles.”'

'"I've gone to two Super Bowls. I know what that looks like and smells like and tastes like," he said. "I feel extremely confident with my ability to lead this franchise moving forward."'

'Lynn attracted extensive interest on the NFL job market, and the Chargers took a break from planning their move out of San Diego to secure a deal with him. Lynn becomes the first black coach in franchise history.'

'With 18 years of NFL experience as a coach, Frazier also served as a defensive coordinator with the Vikings prior to his elevation to head coach. He worked with McDermott in his first NFL job with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999.'

'"There's no foundation, no truth to this dysfunctional talk. I consider it an insult to our organization and the Bills and the good people with the Sabres. They can't be real happy to hear that."'

'"I told him the GM and the coach work together," Pegula said. "Obviously, Doug is sitting in the room with him while he's interviewing. So [McDermott" target="_blank"> knows, if he's hired by this GM … I like him. It's not like we're bringing a new GM in and hiring [McDermott" target="_blank"> as a coach first. This GM, coach working together, they both answer to the owners."'

'"I guess there's been a perception we're inaccessible," he said. "But I've been consistent from Day 1 when I bought the Sabres and then with the Bills. By owning these teams, it's about the players and coaches. We didn't buy teams to be visible in the media. We bought teams to keep them in the area and to flourish with them. I let the coaches and the players be out front and be the story."'

'Let's see if the Bills fit the equation (players + winning = winning).'

'Lynn became known for quickly establishing the Bills as one of the NFL's best running teams this season, orienting the team's offense around the skill set of LeSean McCoy. Armed with Melvin Gordon and a strong run-blocking offensive line, it's fair to expect a similar system in Los Angeles, but before the Lynn hire, La Canfora reported that offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and the majority of his staff was expected to be retained by whoever was brought aboard.'