January 31, 2007

Steve Tasker Super Bowl Blog: Wednesday

Things are getting real busy down here in south Florida as I expected. Last night's CBS employee dinner was ridiculous. I've never seen so many people and so much food in one place. Thinking about what we'll be doing from a production standpoint on Sunday it's hard not to get pumped up about it. We're going to be providing some new coverage prior to the game on CBS.

Offensive MVP: Evans Shines In #1 Role

It wasn't the most prominent, but it was certainly one of the many questions facing the Bills entering the 2006 season. Can Lee Evans flourish as a number one receiver? Exactly 82 receptions, 1,292 yards and eight touchdowns later the question has been definitively answered.

Bills to get huge scoreboard with high-definition screen

When installed 13 years ago, the Ralph Wilson Stadium JumboTron was called the biggest in America, a 1,300-square-foot screen so dominating that coach Marv Levy found that it distracted his Bills when flashing highlights from games across the country. This summer, the Bills will install a new screen twice as large - a high-definition display more sophisticated than the one that will grace Sunday's Super Bowl in Miami.

Bills should have two 'Super' LBs on their radar

When the NFL's free agency period begins on March 2, the Buffalo Bills will no doubt be in the market for help in their linebacking corps. While Takeo Spikes and Angelo Crowell are both likely returning next season as starters, middle man London Fletcher-Baker, an unrestricted free agent, is set to depart.

January 30, 2007

Steve Tasker Super Bowl Blog: Tuesday

As I cruise around the media center and talk to former NFL players, NFL writers and commentators it's not surprising that the majority of the talk this week has been about how the Bears defense will need to get pressure on Peyton Manning and how the Colts will try to stack the box to stop Chicago's running game.

Losman's second-half emergence key for Bills' future

When it was all said and done, Losman was among a select few quarterbacks in the league to take every snap for his team's offense. He guided the Bills to an overall mark of 7-9, a two-game improvement over their bumbling 5-11 '05 season that saw Losman share starting duties with the journeyman Holcomb.

January 29, 2007

Bills Assistant Zierlein Takes Job With Steelers

The Bills have a hole to fill on their offensive staff as assistant offensive line coach Larry Zierlein has taken a position on the Pittsburgh Steelers staff to oversee their offensive line under new head coach Mike Tomlin.

Steve Tasker Super Bowl Blog: Monday

Things are going to get pretty busy pretty quickly. We start hard and heavy with meetings on Tuesday. I've got three or four meetings tomorrow. One with the CBS pre-game show, NFL Today, then one meeting with the game broadcast. Then we have dinner tomorrow night with cast and crew with everybody which figures to number in the thousands.

Schobel Nails Down Defensive MVP

"When people respect what you've done, it feels good. I'm glad this is happening." Those were the words of Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel after he was named to his first career Pro Bowl. For Buffalo's top pass rusher it was validation from his peers for six years of hard work and consistent production.

Levy belongs among elite

It is a week to remember the geniuses ... Parcells ... Walsh ... Noll ... Lombardi ... Landry. The names come easily each time the National Football League hoists the main tent pole, breaks out its three rings and summons children of all ages front and center to the town they have anointed or to the chips and dip and beer and fixin's that mark living room Super Bowl parties across the face of America.

Bills Team Report

The Bills were hoping second-year TE Kevin Everett would emerge as an offensive threat. But it's fair to say the former third-round pick has been a big disappointment. He spent most of the season behind Robert Royal, Brad Cieslak and Ryan Neufeld.

Multi-talented McGee faltered for '06 Bills

Despite his early-career success, McGee had a nightmarish 2006 campaign for the 7-9 Bills. He was vulnerable in coverage, allowing opposing receivers to dictate the action nearly every week. McGee's worst performance came in a 40-7 October shellacking at the hands of the Chicago Bears . On that fateful afternoon, he was torched by speedy Bears receiver Bernard Berrian for four receptions, 97 yards and a 62-yard touchdown.

January 28, 2007

Eight steps toward the Super Bowl

1. Continue J.P. Losman’s development

Offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild and quarterbacks coach Turk Schonert did a marvelous job with Losman last season. And the third-year quarterback showed a lot of maturity by accepting their coaching and correcting some of his bad habits.

Buffalo wisely has young Okoye on its radar

The Buffalo Bills' biggest downfall in their 7-9 2006 season was likely their defense's inability to stop the run. The unit finished 28th in that department, allowing opposing ball carriers to dictate the action nearly every weekend. Whenever Buffalo had to face a runner who was even slightly above average, it usually meant trouble.

90 days remain until the NFL draft

Ninety days from today the NFL will hold it’s annual draft of college athletes. This is essential for league success. Replenish the team. Make upgrades to certain positions and improvement from last years’ record.

McGahee disses Buffalo

In attempting damage control, McGahee's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, released a statement from his client: "I am a proud member of the Buffalo Bills; we have the most loyal, supportive and dedicated fans in the world, and I cannot think of a better organization to be a part of."

January 27, 2007

A Bills Draft Pick Likely in Mobile this Weekend

If you can make a point to tune in to the Senior Bowl this weekend (Sat. 3pm, NFL Network) be sure to do so. There's a very good chance you'll be watching at least one or two future Bills draft picks.

What if Scott Norwood's kick had split the uprights?

It would have been a fitting end to the greatest Super Bowl (XXV) ever played, a game in which both teams performed almost flawlessly. As Scott Norwood lined up for a potential game-winning field goal from 47 yards out, the Bufallo Bills seemed poised to cap off a remarkable season with their first championship since the AFL-NFL merger.

January 26, 2007

Special Teams MVP: Brian Moorman

Picking a special teams MVP for the Bills in 2006 may have looked like an easy task, but when you look at the contributions of the other three candidates they all had merit. Rian Lindell had the most accurate kicking season in team history. Roscoe Parrish finished third in the league in punt return average, and Andre Davis established himself as one of the more productive gunners in the league on punt coverage.

Franchise Tags Could Be Used More League Wide

The deadline for NFL clubs to designate franchise or transition players is less than a month away. With franchise tag and transition tag figures in hand it's likely that most teams are already making decisions as to which of their free agents they're targeting as potential franchise players.

Bills assistant coach Zierlein talking to Steelers

Buffalo Bills assistant coach Larry Zierlein has been given permission by the Bills to interview with new Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin for Pittsburgh’s vacant offensive line position.
The 61-year-old Zierlein and the 34-year-old Tomlin worked together at the University of Louisville in 1999 and 2000. Zierlein helped Bills offensive line coach Jim McNally straighten out what arguably was the team’s weakest link last season.

Flashback: Super Bowl XXV (Bills 22, Giants 20)

This time of year calls for nostalgia about Super Bowls past, which each of us choosing favorites, arguing superiority, and wondering how football history might have been different had this fumble not occurred or that block been made. For this writer, it all goes back to 1991 and Super Bowl XXV or, as I prefer to think of it, "The Perfect Game."

January 25, 2007

Bills Fan Super Ad Winner Riding The Wave

The past month for Western New York native Gino Bona has certainly been a far cry from his normal every day existence in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The winner of the NFL's Super Ad pitch will have his commercial run during, or if he gets his wish, at the conclusion of the Super Bowl. He also has four nights' accommodations in Miami and two tickets to the game.

Bills Sign Free Agent Lineman

By the end of the 2006 season the Bills were down to three offensive tackles, four guards and a center. One more injury could have really begun to stretch the group thin. That's partly why the club began to bolster their roster with potential offensive line depth Thursday in the form of Kirk Chambers who signed a free agent contract with Buffalo.

Bills' ticket prices up sharply

The Buffalo Bills brought their yearlong fight over the disparity in NFL revenues home to the fans Wednesday. The Bills announced their largest percentage price increase in 17 years, raising the average ticket at Ralph Wilson Stadium by 12.5 percent, to $46.45 from $41.29.

Bills' Everett a no-show last season

Entering the 2006 NFL season, many in Buffalo were holding out hope that second-year tight end Kevin Everett would emerge as a true offensive threat for the Bills. The 2005 third-round pick from the University of Miami was coming off a severe knee injury that stopped him from playing as a rookie.

Most Improved Player: J.P. Losman

It certainly wasn't any surprise that Bills fans saw quarterback J.P. Losman as the team's most improved player in 2006. Winning the poll by a wide margin Losman silenced the doubters that wondered if the third-year pro was a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL this past season.

Thomas hopes to reach Hall with ailing father-in-law

Thurman Thomas stood at his father-in-law’s hospital bedside, whispering the best words of encouragement he could muster. “I said, ‘Hey, you can’t quit on me now because we have one more thing to do,’ ” the former Buffalo Bills star running back and Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist said this week. “We have to go to the Hall of Fame.”

January 24, 2007

Bills hiking ticket costs

The cost of attending a Buffalo Bills game at Ralph Wilson Stadium is again going up. The team on Wednesday announced its pricing plan for the 2007 season, saying season tickets will still be the lowest of the National Football League's 32 franchises. Officials said the average season ticket charge for a Bills' game this fall will be $46.45 per game, up about $5 dollars from 2006 but approximately $16 less than the NFL average. Also, the top-priced seats in Buffalo are $28 dollars below the NFL average.

Bills raising ticket prices in 2007

It’s going to cost a little more to attend Bills games in 2007, but Buffalo’s ticket prices remain one of the best bargains in professional sports. The average price increase for season tickets comes out to about $5 per seat per game, meaning it will cost on average about $46.45, about $16 below the NFL’s average season ticket seat.

Bills Tickets Still Most Affordable In The League

The Buffalo Bills released their ticket prices for 2007 and they are once again the most competitively priced in the NFL. The best tickets in the stadium (lower level sideline center) will cost $60 a game for season ticket holders.

Buffalo Bills Tickets Remain Least Expensive in the NFL

The Bills today announced their ticket prices for the 2007 NFL season in Ralph Wilson Stadium. The average price for a Buffalo Bills season ticket will be $46.45 - nearly $16.00 less than the 2006 NFL average ticket price and approximately five dollars more than Buffalo's 2006 average....Ticket prices in nine of the 12 seating areas in Ralph Wilson Stadium will see a minimal increase of $3 or less.

Bills Coaches Sizing Up Talent at Senior Bowl

Everyone knows that every NFL coaching staff and scouting department is prominently represented at this week's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. And the Bills are no different. But exactly what are the coaches from the Bills' staff looking for when they watch practice?

Youboty serves as Bills' defensive wild card

Assuming Buffalo loses Clements, it would immediately scramble to find a replacement. The void won't be filled by No. 2 CB Terrence McGee, who struggled mightily this past season. Nor will the role be taken up by veteran Kiwaukee Thomas, who is also a free agent. Instead, the Bills might throw their proverbial eggs into soon-to-be second-year man Ashton Youboty's basket.

January 23, 2007

Levy On Jauron’s First Year

The 2006 calendar year ushered in a lot of upheaval for the Buffalo Bills. A new general manager, a head coach resignation and a divided locker room. Marv Levy thought his first week on the job would be relatively smooth, but he was quickly entrusted with finding the club a new head coach.

Retaining Clements unrealistic for Buffalo

When the NFL's free agency period commences on March 2, the Buffalo Bills could stand to lose their No. 1 cornerback, Nate Clements. The 27-year-old, who was a first-round pick of Buffalo's in 2001, will become an unrestricted free agent. If Clements and the Bills can't reach a long-term deal prior to early March, he'll more than likely head for greener pastures elsewhere.

January 22, 2007

2006 in Review: Where Have the Bills Improved? Where Have they Regressed?

On the surface the Bills improved this season to the tune of 2 games. There’s the usual embellished hype over a the perception of a two-win "improvement" in the team on the part of fans starving for even a small taste of success amidst the worst playoff drought in Bills’ history since joining the NFL. After all, 7-9 means that a team is better than when they finished 5-11, right? It means that the Bills are "on track" for improvement, right? Well are they? After all, sometimes a 2-game improvement in record can truly mean quite a bit.

Ex-Bill Ruben Brown headed to Super Bowl

The Buffalo Bills haven’t reached the NFL playoffs in seven years but several former Bills are headed to this year’s Super Bowl. Ruben Brown, an offensive guard for the Chicago Bears, is headed to Miami after Chicago beat New Orleans Sunday in the NFC Championship game.

Hardest Hit: Nate Clements

In a category that is usually dominated by linebackers and defensive linemen, Nate Clements was a departure from the norm in 2007 for the Bills. Though he was eighth on the team in tackles Buffalo's cornerback had his share of big shots including the one that earned him the Bills JetBlue Fan Award for 'Hardest Hit' this past season.

Moorman Honored As Community Leader

Bills Pro Bowl punter Brian Moorman was one of the honorees at the National Federation for Just Communities (NFJC) Awards luncheon late last week. His numerous volunteer efforts in Western New York were recognized along with several other awardees who have made significant contributions to Buffalo's diverse community.

Trying to put Willis' words into context

Today we will be excerpting a quote from McGahee's recent interview in Penthouse, an interview during which, not all that loosely translated, he told the football fans of Buffalo to jump in Lake Erie with concrete blocks tied around their necks. Or at least that's the way it came across when the magazine's February installment of "Locker Room" was published, before McGahee set the record straight in a release subsequently issued through the office of his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, that claimed the Buffalo Bills running back had been quoted out of context.

Brown's leadership, performance missed in Buffalo

Despite a tremendous, highly decorated career in Buffalo, Brown was released following the '03 season because of a dispute with the team's former less-than-stellar general manager and head coach tandem of Tom Donahoe and Gregg Williams. Brown, because he spoke out against the Bills' inept administration, was inactive for Buffalo's final game of '03, then cut. He then signed with the Bears.

January 21, 2007

Reasons for Bills Nation to Pull for Indy

We've heard the analogy before: The Colts of this decade mirror the Buffalo Bills of the early 90's. The Colts are a team with a breathtaking offense, led by a future Hall-of Fame quarterback, with a defense that has had trouble defending the run. And both teams never won the whole enchilada. But the Colts today have a golden opportunity today to get to the Super Bowl. If you are a Bills fan and are on the fence as to who to cheer for in today's AFC Championship game, allow me to offer some reason to pull for Indy:

Brown relishes opportunity

As a rookie with the Buffalo Bills in 1995, Ruben Brown looked around the locker room and saw Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith and Andre Reed. Those were the driving forces behind the Bills' four consecutive Super Bowl appearances. Back then, Brown figured that playing in the Super Bowl would be a routine thing, but he left the Bills after nine seasons without ever playing in the big game.

Matthews discusses McGahee

Buffalo Bills general manager Marv Levy is big on team chemistry and character players, so it would be no shock if he were currently sending trade feelers out on unhappy running back Willis McGahee.

Bills will have NFL's toughest home schedule next season

The Buffalo Bills presumably will not be hosting a 2007 regular-season NFL game in London. The Miami Dolphins are expected to serve as "home" team vs. the New York Giants. The Bills needed a break because next season's schedule was tough enough already.

Lip-readers in skyboxes? Not our Bills

Do the NFL teams hire lip-readers to steal the plays the coach is issuing from the sidelines? It seems all the coaches cover their faces with a clipboard or whatever is handy. New Orleans put a towel in front of the coach’s face last week. Scott Berchtold, who was a press relations man with the assistant director of public relations for Green Bay Packers before coming to the Bills in 1989, doesn’t know of any lip-readers ever in Buffalo’s employee.

January 20, 2007

Bills Inside Slant

A work in progress. Thanks to playing a total of six games against division winners and a total of eight games against playoff teams, the Bills were granted a ready-made excuse for missing the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season: They played the NFL's toughest schedule (.574 winning percentage).

Tasker in win-win situation

Steve Tasker has made it to the sidelines of another Super Bowl. This time, the former Buffalo Bill is going to Miami as a CBS sports reporter. Tony Petitti, executive vice president and executive producer of CBS Sports, said here Thursday night that Tasker is being rewarded for his regular season work as an analyst.

January 19, 2007

Unsung Hero: Peters Deserves High Praise

Peters was a major reason for the improvement primarily because he effectively neutralized the opponent's best pass rusher week in and week out. "I don't have the exact number, but I believe he was charged with two or three sacks the whole season," said McNally. "Two of those three sacks were what I would consider coverage sacks. He wasn't cleanly beaten on a play the whole season. There was a sack that he gave up in his first start on the left side when Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila pushed him back a bit and he sacked the quarterback. But after that I don't think there was a clean sack where he just got beat."

Draft’s Underclassmen Put Scouts In A Time Crunch

It's happening all across the league right now. The college scouting department for every team in the NFL is working quickly to hand out assignments to their scouts to begin the accelerated job of evaluating the underclassmen who have declared themselves eligible for the NFL Draft.

Bills can't afford to cut Spikes loose

Despite his struggles, as each week passed in the season Spikes' contributions increased. He began returning to form in an early-December defeat against San Diego, notching nine tackles. Over the next five contests, he tallied 26 takedowns, including an 11-tackle performance at Baltimore to end the season.

January 18, 2007

Bills report: Notes, quotes

LB Keith Ellison, a sixth-round pick out of Oregon State, was among the team's unsung heroes as a rookie. Ellison wound up with seven starts in place of an injured Takeo Spikes and Angelo Crowell and responded with 59 tackles, a sack and one interception. Ellison found himself in the starting lineup a few series into the regular-season opener at New England after Spikes hurt a hamstring.

Bills report: Strategy and personnel

The Bills are plotting for life without MLB London Fletcher-Baker, 32, an unrestricted free agent not likely to re-sign. One option being discussed is moving Angelo Crowell from weak-side linebacker to the middle and signing a top free agent to play on the outside, such as Chicago's Lance Briggs, who played for defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.

Bills report: Inside slant

Thanks to playing a total of six games against division winners and a total of eight games against playoff teams, the Bills were granted a ready-made excuse for missing the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season: They played the NFL's toughest schedule (.574 winning percentage).

Levy Faces Big Offseason to Justify Wilson’s Trust in Him

Facing free agent departures from two of his most productive players at their positions along with viable and slightly above average starting play from another, the holes needing filling will be greater than those of last season. Clements’ imminent departure leaves the Bills with absolutely no go-to CB. Fletcher’s leaves the Bills minus a proven MLB. Kelsay’s leaves a tremendous dropoff in talent in spite of Kelsay’s play not exactly being of star caliber.

Extra Points Rewards Card Gets Fan to Super Bowl

We've all seen them before, reward points credit cards. For some of us, accumulating enough points for any rewards we find interesting might seem impossible. But Bills fan Dan Seagrave proved that the Bills Extra Points Rewards Mastercard is different.

Willis responds about article

"It has been brought to my attention that through an article I did with Penthouse magazine, fans and readers may have misinterpreted my response when asked about the possibility of the NFL one day coming to Toronto."

Buffalo needs another wideout to aid Losman, Evans

Through either free agency or the draft this offseason, Buffalo's general manager, Marv Levy, and the rest of the team's brass must look into upgrading the receiver position. Evans, who frankly should have gone to the Pro Bowl for his breakout campaign, will likely continue improving in his fourth year. Beyond him, though, the Bills don't have many options. And obviously, the more targets Losman -- a soon-to-be fourth-year man -- has, the better.

January 17, 2007

Levy’s Credibility on the Line Regarding McGahee, Character

This offseason will be pivotal for the Bills. With only six draft picks and a track record of well below average signings in free agency last season having produced only overpaid backup caliber players, newbie GM Marv Levy, one half of the Bills’ Ivy League Dynamic Duo, has more to concern himself with going forward.

Rookie of the Year: Whitner Makes Draft Gurus Gag

"The only reason people say they don't think I should have been the number eight pick is because a lot of those guys don't really know what I can do on the football field," said Whitner shortly after the draft. "They just know what they hear and haven't really watched me on film. They don't know what type of person or player I am. After the season we'll see what guys they say were reaches and what guys they say were busts."

Levy's first delve into free agency was uninspiring

Last year at this time, new Buffalo Bills general manager Marv Levy was preparing for his first foray into free agency. The 81-year-old was looking to add solid, low-key players to a team that had gone 5-11 in 2005. While the Bills progressed to 7-9 this past season, it's hard to think the team's signings from last March's free agency period truly helped the two-game improvement.

January 16, 2007

Spikes Wonders About Future of Bills Defense

It may not be something Takeo Spikes wanted to think about, but when the 2006 season came to a close on New Year's Eve it quickly came to mind. How much will things be different on the defensive side of the ball for the Bills in 2007?

Rush to judgement

Figuring out what personnel they need to improve the run defense and the rushing offense figures to dominate the Buffalo Bills' planning over the next two months.

Willis has worn out his welcome

Marv Levy has gotten a lot of credit for changing the culture of the Bills since taking over as general manager a year ago. Much of it is justified. Levy has instilled a renewed sense of camaraderie, and he has been firm in his commitment to players of high character and intellect. But Levy can't have it both ways. The talk about character begins to ring hollow when his top running back, Willis McGahee, is embarrassing the franchise and the community at every turn.

Time easing Tindale's football pain

He played three seasons in Buffalo, playing on special teams, returning kickoffs, carrying the ball 19 times for 65 yards and catching five passes for 104 yards. In a 1995 playoff game against the Miami Dolphins, Tindale scored on a 44-yard touchdown run.

Bills have options with disappointing McGahee

When the Buffalo Bills took a gamble and selected running back Willis McGahee with their first-round pick in the 2003 draft, they were expecting to a land a player who would be elite for years to come. At the time, the ex-University of Miami star was arguably the draft's most talented player, but a severe knee injury kept teams away from selecting him.

January 15, 2007

Denney Looking To Be More Than Just An Extra

Bills NFL Europe assignee Chris Denney has always dreamed of playing games on national television. After playing his college ball at Division II Nebraska-Omaha, he knew if he was playing games important enough to be on television it likely meant he'd be playing in the NFL. Denney, however, found another way to play football on national TV. As an extra on the hit NBC program Friday Night Lights. Currently living in Austin, Texas where the program is shot by NBC, Denney is enjoying the experience. "It's something one of my buddies got into, doing the TV show, and he had talked to the casting director and they really liked that I played college ball and had been in an NFL training camp," said Denney. "So I help out in the football scenes and make sure it looks realistic. I don't get any face time or anything like that."

Ellison and Pennington Provided Big Boost

A little over four months ago Keith Ellison and Terrance Pennington were dressed for their first NFL regular season game. The wide-eyed sixth and seventh round picks were excited and anxious as the Bills were on the road to face New England in the season opener.

Debut draft proved positive for Hall of Famer Levy

Seldom in today's NFL are teams able to get noticeable production from multiple first-year players. The annual April draft is often, for lack of a better term, a crapshoot. In truth, there's a fewer than 50 percent chance that a pick will succeed right off the bat. In last April's draft, however, the formerly maligned Buffalo Bills managed to exceed all expectations thrust upon them.

January 14, 2007

The Wisdom of the Wysman: Annual Predictions Revisited

Prior to the start of the season the Wysman made his usual detailed predictions once again putting his credibility on the line. So how did those turn out? Will there be recognition for calling things fairly accurately prior to them happening or are the chefs in the kitchen right now plucking the crow to be served?

January 12, 2007

Bills sign three players

The Buffalo Bills signed three free agents - punter Josh Brazen, wide receiver Chris Denney and wide receiver Daunta Peterson - and allocated them to NFL Europe this season.

Bills report: Strategy and personnel

The Bills have the salary cap room (a projected $35 million) but with many needs to fill, they will be careful not to tie too much money up into one or two players.

Bills report: Inside slant

If what coaches say is true, that players make their biggest leaps forward between their rookie and sophomore seasons in the NFL, then the Bills stand to be in pretty good shape in 2007.

Bills report: Notes, quotes

Bills fans have long considered Brian Moorman the best punter in the NFL. Now the rest of the league agrees. Moorman, who was voted to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, also has been chosen an Associated Press All-Pro for a second year in a row.

Guard positions need addressing in Buffalo

When the NFL offseason begins in earnest in fewer than two months, the Buffalo Bills will have plenty of areas that need patching up. One could make the argument that the team's interior offensive line is the place of greatest concern, even though other offensive positions and the middle of the defense are in dire need of addressing.

January 11, 2007

Denney Headlines Bills NFL Europe Allocations

The Buffalo Bills will send three players overseas this spring to play in NFL Europe. Wide receiver Chris Denney and punter Josh Brazen were in training camp with the Bills last summer and will be allocated to the spring league. The third NFL Europe assignee is receiver Daunta Peterson, a former Division III standout who played his college ball at the University of Dubuque (Iowa).

NFL chief upbeat over Bills' future

After a meeting in which he discussed the NFL's revenue-sharing issue with Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., Goodell said: "The Buffalo Bills' fans are great fans and they've always supported the Buffalo Bills. And as long as they support them, I'm confident the Buffalo Bills will be able to stay there and compete well."

Thomas, Reed make the cut

Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed both made the cut from a list of 25 semifinalists to the list of 15 final modern-era players who will be considered for the Hall next month, the NFL announced Wednesday. Two senior candidates join the modern-era finalists in contention for induction.

Former Bills Thomas, Reed are finalists for Hall of Fame

Could the second time be the charm for Thurman Thomas? The retired running back for the Buffalo Bills is one of 17 players and officials who are finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2007. Bills wide receiver Andre Reed and recently retired NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue are also finalists.

Goodell says NFL will help out small markets

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell gave an assurance the league will help protect its small-market franchises, even if owners drop the ball on producing a new revenue-sharing plan, New York Sen. Charles Schumer said Wednesday. Goodell's assurance came during a half-hour visit in Washington with Schumer, who described the meeting as positive because the first-year commissioner emphasized the need for a heightened revenue-sharing plan to maintain the long-term viability of teams such as the Buffalo Bills.

Peters, Pennington bring hope to Buffalo's O-line

In a day and age where many fans obsess over selecting offensive linemen early in drafts, it's odd to think that many of the league's best come from the latter rounds. Some even go undrafted. That's certainly the case for the Buffalo Bills , whose two most promising linemen are both youngsters who were virtually unnoticed at their respective drafts. The two each happen to be starters on the Bills' line, both playing tackle positions.

January 10, 2007

Schumer Meets With NFL Commissioner

Senator Charles Schumer met with N-F-L Commissioner Roger Goodell today to discuss ways to protect small market teams with revenue-sharing from larger market teams and the NFL black-out rule and how it effects fans in Western New York."The NFL met with me because I'm on the judiciary committee which has jurisdiction over the anti-trust exemption," Schumer said.

Class of 2007 to be selected from list of finalists

Paul Tagliabue, Thurman Thomas, Michael Irvin, and Bruce Matthews are among the 17 finalists that will be considered for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame when the Hall's Board of Selectors meets in Miami, Florida on Saturday, February 3, 2007.

Thomas and Reed Make Hall of Fame Finalist List

For the second straight year, Bills all-time leading rusher Thurman Thomas is a finalist for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Joining him in that elite company for the first time is Bills all-time leading receiver Andre Reed. Thomas and Reed were announced Wednesday afternoon as two of the 15 modern era players selected from a list of 25 semifinalists by the Hall of Fame’s Board of Selectors to be considered for induction on August 4, 2007.

Coaches to Begin Offseason Work

The regular season ended 10 days ago, but after a brief vacation Buffalo's coaching staff will be back at their desks continuing a job that's never over. The first step in the offseason process for the coaching staff is to complete player evaluations from the 2006 season.

Rough Week For Willis McGahee

A double dose of bad publicity for Bills runningback Willis McGahee in The Miami Herald and Penthouse magazine, as a paternity suit and a candid interview regarding Bills fans and the team's future in Buffalo became public.

In April, Bills should look to Leonard for more weaponry

It's been four seasons since the Buffalo Bills last had a fullback capable of being an offensive threat from the backfield. Though it's not the most glamorous position in the league, it is one of high importance. Larry Centers, the Bills' last truly effective fullback, spent two years with the Bills between 2001-2002; he finished with a total of 123 receptions, which was of major help to quarterbacks Alex Van Pelt and Drew Bledsoe.

January 09, 2007

Brown's Best 2006 - Part II

This is Part II of our first annual Brown's Best. In our first installment we listed season best performances by various players on the roster. Below we review some of the more memorable and too easily forgotten performances from week to week in the 2006 season.

Moorman named All-Pro again

Buffalo Bills punter Brian Moorman was named to the Associated Press All-Pro team for the second consecutive year Monday. Moorman was one of 18 American Conference players on the team and one of eight repeat selections, which included San Diego's Antonio Gates, Cincinnati's Chad Johnson, Chicago's Brian Urlacher and Denver's Champ Bailey.

Bills rewind / The season in review

The Buffalo Bills got out of the NFL's basement and regained some respectability in 2006. Mark Gaughan takes a capsule look at their 7-9 season.

Bills face shot at game in Europe

The Buffalo Bills did not get any national, prime-time exposure in 2006 but they have an outside chance to get some international exposure in 2007. The Bills are one of six teams being considered as potential home teams for a regular-season game next season in either Great Britain or Germany.

Bills one of six finalists for game in Europe

The Buffalo Bills may have a new place to call home in 2007 — if only for one game. The Bills are among six NFL clubs being considered as potential home teams for a regular-season game next year in Great Britain or Germany.

Bills' defense up the middle ready for changes

As the Buffalo Bills await free agency and the NFL draft, the greatest area of on-field concern the organization is faced with is probably the middle of its defense. The group that played every Sunday of this past season certainly will have a different look to it next year, for better or worse.

January 08, 2007

Is Willis McGahee daddy times three?

Father knows best? A third paternity suit was filed against Willis McGahee, 25, Buffalo Bills running back and former University of Miami Hurricane.

Schumer, NFL commish to discuss Bills

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, said Monday he will meet this week with the new commissioner of the National Football League, Roger Goodell, to discuss the plight of the Buffalo Bills and other small-market franchises. The session, scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 11 in Schumer's Washington office, will continue a dialogue began last year with Paul Tagliabue, predecessor of Goodell.

Brown's Best 2006 - Part I

BEST DUO: J.P. Losman and Lee Evans - The pair of 2004 first round picks really began to give the Bills a big return on their investment three years ago. The passing combination hooked up for eight touchdowns this season and together accounted for over 42 percent of the team's passing yardage in 2006. The pair was also responsible for more than a third of the 37 big plays (20 yards or more) turned in by Buffalo's offense this season.

Playoff teams in AFC show Bills aren't far off

This past weekend's wild-card games in the NFL revealed a glaring fact about the current league: it's mediocre. That's a good thing for the Buffalo Bills , a team that went 7-9 during the season and played some of this year's playoff teams tough.

Wilson needs to open his wallet

With general manager Marv Levy leading the front office and coach Dick Jauron having assembled a strong staff, the Buffalo Bills now have a solid foundation on which to build. Now it’s up to owner Ralph Wilson to give Levy and Jauron the tools they need to succeed, to paraphrase John Rigas.

Three Buffalo players make All-Joe team

Larry Weisman of the USA Today recently compiled his 15th annual All-Joe team, which represents players in the NFL whose work may not always garner flashy statistics, but is integral to the success of a team.

January 07, 2007

Probing the Uncomfortable (but Crucial) Issue About the Bills

Q: What's the latest on the Buffalo Bills' future here if Mr. Ralph Wilson, you know, "suddenly decides" he doesn't want to own the team anymore?

A: Nothing's a guarantee when ol' Ralph calls it a day.

Saban departure fries Fish but bodes well for Bills

Here are my three reactions to the Nick Saban escape from the Miami Dolphins to the University of Alabama:

1. This is a very good thing for the Buffalo Bills. Saban is a good, shrewd coach. In the long run he would have been a very formidable opponent for the Bills.

Losman takes great strides in first full season as starring QB

There was a look of pride on the face of Buffalo Bills assistant coach Turk Schonert as he smiled and shook the hand of J.P. Losman in the locker room at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium. It was minutes after the Bills' season-ending loss to the Ravens, and Losman had just thrown two killer interceptions. It didn't matter. He had battled. He made some plays against a dominant defense. Moreover, he had passed a long, grueling test that began way back in March with the Bills' first spring practice.

Attractive home schedule for 2007 Bills

The 2007 schedule for the Buffalo Bills appears challenging, but the big plus is that they'll be hosting most of the top non-division opponents. It is an advantage to play the tougher teams at home and it also should help at the gate.

And the winner is ...

Team MVP, Lee Evans • POSITION: Wide receiver • CREDENTIALS: Evans finished with 1,292 yards receiving, the fifth-highest total in franchise history for a single season. He also brought a big-play element to the offense, as evidenced by his pair of 83-yard TD catches against Houston. And he did it all with a humble attitude. He’s the type of player Bills fans can root for.

January 05, 2007

NFL attendance up despite Bills decline

The National Football League set a regular-season attendance record for the fourth year in a row, averaging more than 67,000 fans per game for the first time in history.

Levy: One Year Later

It's hard to believe, but it was one year ago today that Marv Levy returned to the Bills as general manager. For Buffalo's former Hall of Fame coach the year passed in a blink. "It has gone quickly," said Levy from behind his desk at One Bills Drive. "The longer days were the ones when we lost games. It picked up momentum and before you knew it the year was gone."

Buffalo takes numerous positives into offseason

A 7-9 season in the NFL doesn't usually merit any kind of celebration or accolades. In the case of the Buffalo Bills , however, their 7-9 campaign of 2006 can be considered quite a success. They improved by two games from the 2005 season, when they compiled a 5-11 record and appeared to fall deeper into the abyss of the league's worst teams with each passing week.

January 04, 2007

Bills report: Notes, quotes

The Bills would never admit it, but losing their last game to Baltimore and finishing 7-9 was a good thing. It gave them the 12th overall pick in the draft. Eight teams wound up 8-8, and Buffalo could have been the ninth, if they'd won. In that case, Buffalo would've slipped all the way to 19th based on the strength-of-schedule tiebreaker.

Bills report: Inside slant

The numbers say the Bills have to start looking for more size and youth at middle linebacker. And now the words have been spoken. Not by general manager Marv Levy or coach Dick Jauron, but by London Fletcher-Baker, the Bills' leading tackler and locker room leader the past five seasons, who greased the skids for his exodus with a post-season venting of frustrations and emotions.

Bills report: Strategy and personnel

The Bills have the salary cap room (a projected $35 million) but with many needs to fill, they will be careful not to tie too much money up into one or two players. CB Nate Clements, who Buffalo retained last season with its franchise tag ($7.2 million average), is the Bills' top unrestricted free agent. Clements said he'd like to remain a Bill but it would be criminal of his representatives to sign with Buffalo early and not test the waters.

Crowell Enters Offseason Healthy

For Angelo Crowell the 2006 season ended much too soon. In the midst of really taking off in a defensive system that appears tailor-made for his abilities, the Bills linebacker suffered a fracture in his lower leg against San Diego. He would miss the final four games of the season as the Bills placed him on injured reserve. But as he left One Bills Drive following the season finale, Crowell was walking out of the Bills practice facility with no noticeable limp or hindrance from the injury he suffered two months ago.

Bills rookies did better than predicted

Kiper described the selections of both Whitner and defensive lineman John McCargo (whom the Bills traded up into the first round to pick) as "reaches," and PFW opined that the Whitner move was "equally as puzzling" as Houston's decision to bypass Reggie Bush and Vince Young to take defensive end Mario Williams with the No. 1 pick. "It's different strokes for different folks," said Bills assistant general manager Tom Modrak in reaction to the criticism. "We like to think our lists are in proper order."

Season over, Bills LB Spikes calls comeback complete

"A lot of people told me that I couldn't come back. And it was tough, man. I had no earthly idea how tough it was going to be," he said. "Even though statistically I didn't have what I wanted to have, the comeback was official. I finished the season."

Losman's toughness, heart can't be questioned

Buffalo Bills quarterback J.P. Losman has dealt with criticism for the majority of his three-year career. The 25-year-old has endured questions about his decision-making skills, on-field awareness, leadership and overall qualifications to be a starting QB in the NFL. However, what nobody can doubt is the former first-round pick's toughness, grit and heart.

January 03, 2007

Flashback: The Comeback

January 3, 1993: The Bills embarked on the greatest comeback in NFL history. "Over 40 years we've had many exciting games but I would imagine that our comeback victory over the then Houston Oilers in 1992, when we were behind 35-3 earlier in the second half, was probably the game I will remember the most," said Bills owner Ralph Wilson, Jr.

Bills React to Saban’s Resignation from Dolphins

Despite the fact that speculation was rampant the past few weeks that Miami Dolphins head coach Nick Saban could leave the NFL and return to the college ranks at Alabama, at least one of his former LSU players was still a bit startled to see Saban leave the pros after just two seasons on the job.

Bills’ Big Plays Once Again Provide Only Punch in Finale Loss to Ravens

In a bout of symbolism of sorts the Bills closed out the season in a synopsis game entirely representative of the season. Offensively the running game was vacant with Losman and Evans providing nearly 60% of the net yardage and all of the scoring punch and effectiveness on offense. Fans have good reason to be hopeful about the Losman-to-Evans connection being highly productive over the next bunch of seasons, but after that the buck stops there.

Bills' safeties were solid

It was hardly a stellar year for the Buffalo Bills' defense, but cause for optimism exists in at least one area. Safeties Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson were thrown into the fire at the start of the season and they rarely got burned.

Bills will need to improve their run defense

In the last 12 games Buffalo held only one opponent to less than 100 rushing yards — New England with 94 — and the average yield in that stretch was a gruesome 153.5 yards.

Bills' final loss shows they still need pass rushers

In the Buffalo Bills ' 19-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday, the former's lack of a consistent pass rush became ever more apparent. The Bills' defense had struggled with getting to the opposing quarterback all season, with the obvious exception of Pro Bowl end Aaron Schobel, who finished the year with a team-leading 14 sacks.

January 02, 2007

Revamped Buffalo Bills exceed expectations in 2006 with 7-9 finish

The cover of Ralph Wilson's annual Christmas card was funnier than usual this holiday season. Fitting, too. With a Santa Claus hat perched on his head, the 88-year-old Buffalo Bills owner was pictured sitting alongside his wife, Mary, pumping iron in the team's weight room above the caption: "Building for 2007."

Fletcher may be done in Buffalo

His season over and perhaps also his career in Buffalo, a teary-eyed London Fletcher let out his emotions while cleaning out his locker Jan. 1.

Bills Record Breakers in 2006

Though the Bills missed out on the NFL's postseason party the team made many strides over the course of the season. Some of their accomplishments were more recognized than others as there were some franchise records broken in 2006 by the team and by individual players.

Run defense held Ravens in check

Although the Buffalo Bills dropped a 19-7 decision in Baltimore on Sunday, their much-maligned run defense played a key role in keeping the Ravens from getting into the end zone.

On cleanout day, Fletcher does some venting

It looked, sounded and felt like a farewell for London Fletcher on Monday. The Buffalo Bills' linebacker, who is set to become a free agent in March, for the first time expressed his deep frustration that the Bills did not extend his contract this season.

Bills report: Inside slant

Needing just 33 yards to hit 1,000 for a third consecutive season in a Bills uniform, Willis McGahee was held to a season-low 23 yards on 11 carries with one fumble in Sunday's disappointing 19-7 loss to the Ravens.

Bills report: Strategy and personnel

J.P. Losman overcame a sluggish first half and got his team back into the game with a pretty 44-yard TD to Lee Evans early in the third quarter, cutting Baltimore's lead to 9-7. But just as quickly, Losman gave that touchdown back with an interception to Chris McAlister, which the Pro Bowl corner returned 31 yards for a touchdown.

Bills report: Notes, quotes

WR Lee Evans capped his breakout season with seven catches for 145 yards against the Ravens. His day included a 44-yard touchdown and a 52-yard catch to set up a first-and-goal situation the Bills failed to cash in on.

Losman eager to keep on growing with Bills

"He just keeps working," offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild said. "What I like about him is he's tough and he does not think he's arrived. If he keeps doing that he has a chance to be someone special."

Where do the Bills go from here?

Sal: Right back to work. Take a week to regenerate their minds and bodies, then get to the task of making this team better in 2007. As you know, the work you do in the offseason is every bit as important as the work during the season.

Buffalo's Evans went from complement to star in 2006

Despite the offense's dreadful, season-ending effort, one player who made a name for himself over the team's 16-week schedule showed up, as usual: wide receiver Lee Evans. To cap off a brilliant third year in the NFL, the former first-round pick lit up a two-Pro Bowler Baltimore secondary to the tune of seven catches for 145 yards and a touchdown.

January 01, 2007

Several Free Agents Looking at More Than Just Money

Bills' free agent players like Nate Clements, London Fletcher and Chris Kelsay will probably be pursued by several teams if they reach the open market next March and will have to strongly considering the most lucrative offers.

Wilson Knows Bills Are Headed In Right Direction

In this era of Bills football, Buffalo has had more downs than ups coming one day after another season came to an end without a playoff birth. However, unlike many of the last few seasons, Bills fans have an up-and-coming team that seems to be on their way.

McGahee's production doesn't justify new deal

This won't come as any great surprise, but Willis McGahee was not in a celebratory mood in the early stages of New Year's Eve. The Bills' featured back wasn't raising a glass. He was raising an objection.

Defenders look back, ahead

London Fletcher knew this day would come. But it wasn't until he walked on the field at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday that he came to the realization that this might have been his last game for the Buffalo Bills.

Bills Extra

(F): Run game went nowhere. Nada. Zippo. Willis had 11 carries for 23 yards. Willis' fumble gave Ravens three points.

The Winning Edge

1. McNair is an elite QB. The former NFL MVP distributed the ball beautifully and kept moving the chains.

McGahee fails to have grand time

Needing just 33 yards to reach 1,000 for the season, reaching that milestone for a third straight year seemed like a sure thing for running back Willis McGahee. But the Baltimore Ravens' defense had other ideas.

Stuff happens

There was disappointment but no despair in the Buffalo Bills' locker room Sunday night. Maybe it was because they already knew their season was destined to end in Baltimore. Maybe it was just human nature to look on the bright side.

Bills to host Cowboys, Giants

Buffalo Bills fans will get to see some rare visitors to Western New York next NFL season. The Bills' home schedule includes games against the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens. The Cowboys have not played in Buffalo since 1996. The Giants haven't visited since '99, and the Ravens never have come to Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Gritty J.P. proves he belongs

With two touchdown passes and four interceptions in his last two games, J.P. Losman's first full NFL season didn't finish on the high note that seemed so attainable just a few short weeks ago. But maybe that's a good thing.

Path to postseason party is paved with optimism

We knew after last week's disappointing home loss to Tennessee that there would be no playoff football for the seventh consecutive year. And like that do-it-all digital camera you bought your spouse for Christmas, Sunday's 19-7 loss to the Super Bowl-worthy Baltimore Ravens brought into crystal clear focus the fact that these Bills aren't quite ready for the NFL's playoff tournament.

Air of excitement softens the sting for Bills

"I haven't had any feeling the last five years," an upbeat Wilson said, referring to the numbing nothingness that shrouded his team throughout nearly the entire five-year tenure of Donahoe. "This year, and it's not pie in the sky stuff, I have a very good feeling that we're on the upswing. We have a great coaching staff, and now we have to get better talent. That's the way I see it, and hopefully we'll get it."

The two-minute read

Play of the game After starting slowly against the No. 1 defense in the NFL, J.P. Losman took advantage of a Ravens blitz and single coverage on Lee Evans to complete a 44-yard touchdown pass that cut Buffalo's deficit to 9-7 in the third quarter.

Bills' offense dominated by Ravens; owner wants changes

The Buffalo Bills closed out their 2006 season on a sour note Sunday, losing 19-7 in Baltimore. Buffalo's defense, which had been much maligned entering the game, stymied the 13-3 Ravens' offense, holding Steve McNair and Co. to just 12 points on four field goals. Offensively, though, it was an all-out disaster for the Bills, who finished the year 7-9.