Buffalo Bills

This evening was a beautiful one in Baton Rouge and on the way home from dinner my wife decided she wanted to pick up some supplies for her final week of teaching down South. For savings sake, she wanted to stop at a mega store whose existence makes me want to dive into a dumpster of shattered glass. So I dropped the other two-thirds of my family off at the front door, gave her the keys to the rental car and began my walk back to our apartment. Crossing a street, I first heard and soon witnessed a widish man, probably sixty, with a large white-snow Santa beard and button-down denim shirt nearly as old as his vast Arctic chin fur. His ankle socks rose to meet his voice and he was enthusiastically speaking with two young men about 10 feet from him in the parking lot of this Sam’s Club. Credit: nola.com The two men were clearly athletes, tall and trim, and one made the horrible mistake of wearing a school-issued LSU tank top for this afternoon of bulk shopping with his pal, who plays football for LSU and bore a striking resemblance to star quarterback Zach Mettenberger. The only reason I won’t say it was the future NFL pick is that I’m not super well-versed in recognizing Tiger gridders my only LSU reporting down here involved covering the men’s hoops squad. Plus, scanning the roster headshots at LSUSports.net, nearly half the brunette caucasian players on the team are rocking some form of the unfortunate Bieb-over haircut the international teen mega star ditched a while ago. In any event, these two athletes were very especially polite with the man, a big LSU football fan who was passing alon impressions on the SEC while asking who they open with (if you have a pulse down here you know it’s TCU in Arlington despite the fact that the game is 3.5 months away). So obviously, this fella’s not a crazy expert but the same young man who made the mistake of wearing his LSU tank top to a SAM’S CLUB while hanging out with the on-field face of the team then answered a question about his background. He said he’s from near College Station, Texas, which lead to this denim-sporting Santa explaining why Johnny Football is so hard to stop. Oh, boy, it’s so hard for the safeties and linebackers to get a read on where Manziel may go with the ball. Meanwhile I walk by coincidentally (of course) wearing a gold “Geaux Tigers” tee shirt my wife bought me at the airport. By the time I reach the end of the parking lot and enter the next one — approximately 100 yards away — I can still hear some sort of Santa sermon on stopping the Heisman winner. Keep in mind, LSU BEAT Manziel at Texas A&M last year, 24-19. Anyway, this is one 5-minute stretch. Five minutes, tops. The only five minutes I’ve ever been a part of these two young men’s life. And while there’s nothing particularly offensive about Santa and his summer near the swamps of Louisiana, it’s just another reason these kids deserve their scholarships for more than their football skills. These kids — plenty of whom screw-up, even recently, on Les Miles’ watch — are always on alert. They are the most popular people in the state not named Drew Brees or the Robinson family and they are never off the clock. After all, the trade-off between their “free” educations and the money LSU makes off their bodies is at-best even for the state.

ESPN's James Walker is reporting, citing a source, that the Buffalo Bills and wide receiver Robert Woods have agreed to a four-year rookie contract. Woods has yet to sign anything, as he's been in Los Angeles for the past few days at the NFLPA Rookie Premiere along with new teammates E.J. Manuel and Marquise Goodwin. Woods, a second-round pick in this past April's 2013 NFL Draft, will sign a contract valued very similarly to last year's No. 41 overall pick, Bills left tackle Cordy Glenn. His was a four-year, $4.865 million contract with $2.92 million guaranteed. Of note on that contract: Glenn received a $1.978 million signing bonus, and his base salaries in 2012 and 2013 were fully guaranteed. The Bills have OTA practices scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Thursday this coming week, so if Walker's source is correct, we're likely to hear about the signing in an official capacity in the very near future. When it goes down, seven of the Bills' eight draft picks will be under contract, leaving just two more contracts for the team to work out over the next two months: Manuel's, and Jairus Byrd's.

The 2013 NFL Draft has been completed graded and debated. Now that rookie camps have begun it’s time for the hopeful fans to believe that their NFL franchise decision makers have made the right choice. Unfortunately for most fans, the wait to see if the new players will help their teams reach the ultimate goal, Super Bowl, usually takes a few years. A few months prior to the draft there are multiple publications and "experts" that will tell us what player should go to which team. No one knows what player will contribute the way they did in college to their new NFL team, but that’s what makes the draft so much fun. We never know if the player picked will be the franchise savior, but we (fans) want to believe. With that being said, it is time to look at the top 5 first round picks/busts that have been made by the Buffalo Bills over the last 15 years. The reason the Bills were chosen is simple, no playoff appearances since 1999 and one winning season, 2004 9-7, the rest of this time has been spent in the losers circle. 5. Mike Williams OT University of Texas. Coming out of college "Big" Mike was rated as one of the top left tackles entering the 2002 NFL Draft. The Bills drafted him 4th overall. Williams was asked to play right tackle where, unfortunately, he failed miserably. Following a few games, he was then moved to left tackle. Again, he was unable to produce as expected. He was soon replaced by undrafted free agent Jason Peters, who coincidentally went on to become a Pro Bowler at this position. In 2006 the Bills released him and the Jacksonville Jaguars picked him up but again he struggled and was unable to make the roster and was released. Following two years out of the NFL, Williams signed with the Washington Redskins in 2009. Amazingly when Williams was moved to guard he was successful enough to be offered a two year contract from head coach Mike Shanahan. Unfortunately Williams was diagnosed with blood clots near his heart and missed the entire 2010 season. Due to the uncertainty of Williams’ health he was released in 2011. Its clear Greg Williams, Buffalo’s head coach during this draft, is a great evaluator of defensive talent, with what he has done over the years with the Tennessee Titans and the New Orleans Saints, but for Williams to have Pierson Prioleau as his starting free safety and not see a need for an upgrade is a mystery. In this draft there were two words: Ed Reed. 4. John McCargo DT North Carolina State Seen as a stretch at the 26th overall pick in the 2006 draft, John McCargo was listed as a 2nd-3rd round draft pick by the "experts". But as the Bills had done in years past, they overrated a player. McCargo missed the entire 2006 season when he was placed on the IR and became a backup following his return. He was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2008 but was returned the next day following a failed physical. McCargo was finally cut loose from the Bills in 2010 and over the next two seasons bounced from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Chicago Bears. His total career stats are 52 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 1 Forced fumble. Prior to the draft the Bills traded WR Eric Moulds to the Houston Texans for a fifth round draft pick. The Bills front office made a better pick with the fifth rounder, grabbing Pro Bowler DT Kyle Williams out of LSU than they did with the first rounder. Seeing that the Bills had just gotten rid of Moulds, it would have made sense for the Bills to go after a WR in the first round. Greg Jennings was available and he was drafted by the Green Bay Packers and has averaged 934 yards receiving and 7 TD’s per season. His production would have been higher if not for the groin injury he suffered in 2012. 3. Aaron Maybin DE/LB Penn State In the 2009 Draft the Bills were trying to improve their defense. So with the 11th pick they chose Aaron Maybin out of Penn State. Unfortunately for Maybin, the NFL turned out to be a lot tougher

June 19, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson (13) looks for a pass during the Bills minicamp at the Ralph Wilson Stadium practice field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports The time has come where I believe the Buffalo Bills finally addressed there problems at the receiver position. This team has needed someone for some time to complement Stevie Johnson and they’ve looked like they got there guy in Robert Woods. Not only did they get Woods but also the likes of Marquise Goodwin in this past draft. Also don’t forget to add in TJ Graham as he is basically in the same boat. My question is Stevie Johnson a leader? Stevie came into this league when he was drafted by the Bills in the seventh round (224 overall) in 2008. In his first two seasons Johnson was basically invisible. Not really contributing on the field and many thought what to really expect from a seventh rounder. Some pan out and some leave you wondering should we have gone in a different direction. That all changed when the Bills entered the 2010 season. Stevie got his shot and took full advantage of it. Let’s just say that invisibility was gone and he began to produce. He finished the season with 16gp, 82 reception, 1,073yards and 10 TD’s. Not bad from not really showing that much promise. He showed he could produce and certainly backed it up with another two straight seasons gaining over 1,000 yards receiving and 76+ catches and another 13 TD’s. These stats are all good but what about him working with the newcomers? Stevie sure has had some problems since coming into the league. He likes to take to twitter and there is where it starts. A couple of tweets that have caused people to talk and question: after dropping a game winning ball in overtime against Pittsburgh in 2010 he tweets “I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!!! AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!!! THX THO”. This had people questioning as to why he blamed god for not catching the ball. Why would he do this and was it really necessary? The next tweet I want talk about is pretty recent and had many going back to it. Per Johnson: “War is nothing to be played with. I apologize North Korea…….. but if y’all do bomb 1st… Bomb Foxboro, Mass. Sincerely, #BillsMafia. When that surfaced people wondered why he would do something like that. With everything that goes on in the world and say something along those lines had some people upset. Then the tragedy earlier this year just took his words to a new level. The bombings in Boston the day of the marathon had the nation watching on as to what happened. Soon to realize mass injuries and death spread sadness throughout. I remember hearing about his tweet right after this occurred and thought what a tuff bunch of words to swallow there. Some other antics Stevie has been involved with were on field issues. Not only had that included conduct by the league, but by his own organization as well. Playing the Jets in 2011 and scoring a TD and then doing things to cost his team 15 yard penalty. After scoring he pretended to shoot himself in the leg copying what Plaxico Burress did to himself and resulting in jail time. Another thing he did was a little more controversial as he held out his arms and pretended to fly and then drop to the ground. Some people thought it was to imitate what happened to NYC but when I hear that I said how ridiculous. Jets do that when they score and he was just having some fun. In no way should that have ever been connected. He was fined $10,000 by the league. Another instance was when Johnson scored a TD against the Patriots in 2012 and lifts his jersey to have an undershirt saying Happy New Year. When that happened he was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and in turn benched by the head coach. Although it wasn’t anything offensive it hurt his team on the field and that’s why the coaching staff wasn’t happy. That being said I don’t think

Inside the NFL: For success, Whaley needs to step it up - Sports - The Buffalo News Mark Gaughan discusses what it takes to be a good general manager. Then he asks the question: "Is Whaley up to all that?" Wiedmer: Nix picks right time to cut back | timesfreepress.com Buddy Nix talks about his decision to retire with his hometown paper. He mentions his wife by name, saying he would spend up to six weeks apart from her. More clicks Bills-Patriots home opener sold out - BuffaloBills.com"The Bills-Patriots game slated for Sept. 8 at Ralph Wilson stadium sold out during Saturday's season ticket holder individual-game early access period." A crack in the old-boys network - Sports - The Buffalo News"We can pretend it doesn’t matter to have a black GM in a mythical "post-racial America." But it does matter. It surely matters to people in Buffalo’s black community, who have watched white executives mismanage the team for more than a decade and waited since the brief James Harris experiment in the late 1960s for another black quarterback." Bucky & Sully Show: Nix's legacy, Whaley's vision - Press Coverage | The Buffalo News"News Sports Columnists Bucky Gleason and Jerry Sullivan talk Buffalo football during Friday morning during their weekly live show. Watch highlights below." Quarterback gurus in vogue - Sports - The Buffalo News"EJ Manuel had one clear goal in mind as he started his preparations for the 2013 NFL Draft. He believed he was the best quarterback available, and very much wanted to be the first one selected. To get there, Manuel did what so many of the elite quarterbacks at every level of the sport – high school, college and the pros – now do, and employed his own positional coach." Should Bills worry about Mario Williams? - AFC East Blog - ESPN"This is a tough thing for Williams to go through, especially when details of his personal life are being released to the public. Maybe the Bills should have a brief talk with him just to make sure everything is kosher. The Bills are counting on Williams heavily this year, and he needs to be sound physically and mentally." Buffalo Bills' rookies can turn around misfortune - ESPN"If everything falls into place, the Bills could have a franchise quarterback, a starting linebacker, at least two contributing receivers and a kicker from one draft class. Rarely does everything go according to plan in the NFL, but the Bills appear to have more hits than misses in this draft, which was not always the case for this struggling franchise." Mario Williams is now licensed peace officer in Texas | FOX 26 | MyFoxHouston"Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams graduated from the Lone Star College Law Enforcement Academy in Houston on Friday. "He is now a licensed peace officer in the state of Texas," said Larry Stewart, one of Williams' instructors at Lone Star College, in an interview with FOX 26 Sports."

The Bills 2013 season opener is sold out against the New England Patriots.

Bills fans across the nation, I am one of those Western NYers that left for "greener" pastures and moved to Louisiana (there are more of us here than you might think). And now my team comes to me! In a quite lovely time of year here in the south I might add. October and November in Louisiana are like September in WNY. (Its outside who cares idiot). Yeah tailgates aren't the same as at the Ralph, but this city parties like no other and for away teams it is pretty awesome! Cmon Bourbon St. never stops. For those making the trip or that are already here I have recommendations. 1) The unofficial Bills bar in town is walking distance to the dome. Your Tailgate at some point should be here!....... http://www.thebricksnola.com/ (owner from Williamsville- ask for Chad or his brother). There are usually 20 or so Bills fans here for each game and always a dedicated tv for Bills games (even during Saints games). There is a Bills and Saints flag outside the place so yeah.... my family is coming down I will be here at some point. 2) Seafood lovers...yeah this is your destination! 3) Beer lovers....Microbrew scene here is growing. NOLA Beers are great cause they are all in cans. Free tours on Friday. Abita, Lazy magnolia, Tin Roof, Chafunkta, Bayou Teche, Covington Brewhouse are all solid local brewers. Bars- The Bulldog Bar (2 locations). And for the beer "snob" like myself. Avenue Pub on St. Charles is pretty awesome. And for music clubs, anything on Frenchmen St (east of the French Quarter). Feel free to contact me if you plan on going OR are a Bills fan in New Olreans area! ~Matt Bills fans across the nation, I am one of those Western NYers that left for "greener" pastures and moved to Louisiana (there are more of us here than you might think). And now my team comes to me! In a quite lovely time of year here in the south I might add. October and November in Louisiana are like September in WNY. (Its outside who cares idiot). Yeah tailgates aren't the same as at the Ralph, but this city parties like no other and for away teams it is pretty awesome! Cmon Bourbon St. never stops. For those making the trip or that are already here I have recommendations. 1) The unofficial Bills bar in town is walking distance to the dome. Your Tailgate at some point should be here!....... http://www.thebricksnola.com/ (owner from Williamsville- ask for Chad or his brother). There are usually 20 or so Bills fans here for each game and always a dedicated tv for Bills games (even during Saints games). There is a Bills and Saints flag outside the place so yeah.... my family is coming down I will be here at some point. 2) Seafood lovers...yeah this is your destination! 3) Beer lovers....Microbrew scene here is growing. NOLA Beers are great cause they are all in cans. Free tours on Friday. Abita, Lazy magnolia, Tin Roof, Chafunkta, Bayou Teche, Covington Brewhouse are all solid local brewers. Bars- The Bulldog Bar (2 locations). And for the beer "snob" like myself. Avenue Pub on St. Charles is pretty awesome. And for music clubs, anything on Frenchmen St (east of the French Quarter). Feel free to contact me if you plan on going OR are a Bills fan in New Olreans area! ~Matt

Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports Mario Williams is a force on the field, but it’s his off-the-field problems recently that could be damaging his football career. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft is seeking counseling with his ex-fiancee recently about an engagement ring that cost the defensive end about $800,000. While the counseling looks as if it may be unsuccessful, his former fiancee, Erin Marzouki, has brought something surprising to everyone’s attention that may end up saving Williams’ life. According to USA Today, all-pro defense end is dealing with some serious emotional issues that could be life-threatening and dangerous to his well-being. Williams has been showing some emotional instability issues, according to Marzouki’s attorney, Larry Buzzbee. Texas law states that when a man breaks off the engagement between the couple, the woman keeps the ring. According to Buzzbee, Williams broke off the engagement with Ms. Marzouki during one of his’ many emotional swings throughout the relationship. After she refused to get back together with the emotional athlete, he filed a lawsuit to get the ring back that was priced at exactly $785,000. The case progressed with Marzouki releasing a three-page series of text messages that reveals the Buffalo Bills star end’s suicidal thoughts. According to the texts, he said, “no money in the world should leave me with suicidal thoughts.” These should be brought to the attention of the NFL, and a therapist should be assigned to the struggling athlete. This is something that goes far beyond sports and endangers the life of a human being. Let’s all hope that Williams is okay. Connor Muldowney is a columnist for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

The Bills first home game for the 2013 regular season is sold out. That according to Bills President and CEO Russ Brandon, who tweeted that the game was sold out today. Ralph Wilson Stadium will be electric on Sept. 8. #Bills #Patriots sold out!— Russ Brandon (@RussBrandon) May 18, 2013

The new-look Buffalo Bills are scheduled to host the New England Patriots in each team's 2013 regular season opener in 113 days. Ralph Wilson Stadium has already sold out for that contest, per team president and CEO Russ Brandon. Ralph Wilson Stadium will be electric on Sept. 8. #Bills #Patriots sold out! — Russ Brandon (@RussBrandon) May 18, 2013 By way of comparison, on May 20, 2012 - in the wake of the massive free agent signing of Mario Williams - the Bills announced that the team's first two home games, against Kansas City and New England, had sold out. As was widely discussed when the Bills 2013 schedule was released a month ago today, three of the team's first four games of the season will take place at Ralph Wilson Stadium, while just one game (December 22 against Miami) will be played at home after Thanksgiving. As a result, we're likely to hear about many more Bills sellouts this season, particularly if the team is competitive early and/or EJ Manuel makes it onto the field at some point. Buffalo ended its home losing streak to New England in 2011 with a 34-31 victory, but were blown out last year by a final score of 52-28.