Web Rumblings: Buffalo Bills News, 12/14

by MattRichWarren on Dec 14, 2011 8:41 AM EST in Buffalo Bills News

Bills Focus: Erik Pears 1-on-1 on New Contract - Buffalobills.com
"The Bills right tackle talks with buffalobills.com moments after signing his contract extension about the opportunity to play long term in Buffalo."

Andrew Cuomo says he'll work to keep Bills in Buffalo | Democrat and Chronicle
"Cuomo didn’t commit to the funding, but said he would work with Erie County and the community to keep the NFL franchise."

Byrd rounding out his game - BuffaloBills.com
"Not much has changed in 2011. Once again Byrd’s physical presence has been felt by opponents as he leads the club in forced fumbles (3) and stands second on the team in tackles behind only Nick Barnett with 85 on the season with three games to play. Suffice to say Byrd’s game has rounded into form in year three."

RT Pears signs contract extension - BuffaloBills.com
"A steadying force on the right side of Buffalo’s offensive line, veteran offensive tackle Erik Pears took a second chance at a starting job in the NFL and made it a personal success story. That hard work and effective play was rewarded by the Bills with a multi-year contract extension on Tuesday."

Inside The Bills | NFL analyst votes Andy for Pro Bowl
"NFL Network analyst Charles Davis voted for Andy Levitre on his Pro Bowl ballot. Having played left tackle and center this season in addition to his natural left guard spot, Levitre has garnered his share of fan votes as well."

Inside The Bills | Pears deal reduces list
"The most notable unrestricted free agents for the Bills now are the following players below."

Inside The Bills | Bills lose practice squader
"Losing safety Barry Church to a season-ending shoulder injury, the Cowboys signed S Mana Silva off the Bills practice squad. Silva was only on the Bills eight-man practice unit for a month after signing with Buffalo on Nov. 10th."

Former Buffalo Bills finding greener pastures | Democrat and Chronicle
"The number of Bills' first-round picks playing elsewhere is seven. Would anybody be shocked if Leodis McKelvin, C.J. Spiller and Marcell Dareus join the list at some point?"

Bills have issues in red zone; right tackle Pears earns extension - The Buffalo News
"The Bills' red-zone efficiency has plummeted during the team's six-game losing streak. After reaching the end zone on 68 percent (17 of 25) of their trips inside their opponents' 20-yard line during a 5-2 start, the Bills have scored on just 33 percent during their six-game slide. As concerning, the Bills have just 15 trips inside the red zone in that time, scoring five touchdowns."

Bills up to 11th in draft - The Buffalo News
"The Bills moved up in position for the NFL Draft from 13th to 11th after last weekend's games. Wins by San Diego (over the Bills) and Seattle (on Monday night) moved those teams behind the Bills in the draft order."

Bills sign Pears to contract extension - The Buffalo News
"Pears, a seven-year NFL veteran, has started all 13 games this season. He's brought stability to a position along the offensive line that has long lacked it. The Bills' line has given up just 17 sacks, fewest in the NFL, and have helped the team average an AFC-best 4.8 yards per rush attempt."

Chan Gailey says he has no doubts about Ryan Fitzpatrick | ProFootballTalk
"Gailey, whose team is on a six-game losing streak, has a lot of problems. Whether Fitzpatrick is one of those problems or will be part of the long-term solution is debatable. But the mere fact that it’s a debate, less than two months into a six-year contract, is bad news for the Bills."

Dareus a bright spot - YNN
"Marcell was one of the bright spots, he did some good things yesterday, he really did. I thought that was a plus coming out of the ballgame," said head coach Chan Gailey.

Gailey's got 99-problems but Fitz ain't one - WIVB
"Fitzpatrick was less-than-fine Sunday in the Bills blowout loss at San Diego. He threw two interceptions and one of them was returned for a touchdown by the Chargers. He finished 13-of-34 for 176-yards, and had a quarterback rating of 31.0"

Fitzpatrick, rightfully, takes blame - Olean Times Herald: Editorial
To which Fitzpatrick added, "In the lockerroom right now there certainly isn’t a good feeling. We’ve kept up the spirits the last few weeks because we felt like we played better and were in games. But this week was a very tough loss because of the fashion in which we lost."

NFL Power Rankings: Patriots in top five - AFC East Blog - ESPN
"The Bills lost their sixth straight game. They were blown out by the San Diego Chargers. Buffalo is hurting and doesn’t have much left in the tank." They are down to No. 22 this week.

AFC East Stock Watch - AFC East Blog - ESPN
Ryan Fitzpatrick's stock is falling. Again.

Sanchez-Fitz-Moore-Losman Watch - AFC East Blog - ESPN
"Here is one criticism I have for Fitzpatrick: He's failed to carry his team in the midst of its worst funk of the season. Buffalo needs someone -- anyone -- to step up and get momentum back for the Bills. Fitzpatrick is now the face of the franchise after signing a $59 million contract extension. But he hasn't played great since, including another dud Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. Fitzpatrick will set new career highs in a lot of categories this year. But after a fast start, his entire body of work isn’t turning out to be all that impressive."

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Cuomo and Funding for the Stadium

Any idea what improvements the team is looking for to renew the lease?

Is there any expectation to get the stadium up to Dallas or MetLife standards?

We’ve got big problems with the state budget and it only looks like it will get worse – the public employee pension contribution shortfalls coming next year are going to have NYers gravely rethinking priorities. I can’t see the state making any big commitments in the near future.

Fortunately, other state and local governments are hurting, too, weakening leverage the team might play in the negotiations by threatening to leave. California just made huge budget cuts, so unless the investors out there have private stadium financing lined up, I would guess that those two L.A. projects are going to be held up. I don’t think Joe and Jane Voter anywhere has appetite for funding sports teams while cops and teachers are losing their jobs.

With that said, if Cuomo means what he says, he’s got the abilities to wrangle public and private leaders to get things done. The question is, does Cuomo have the political will? I’m downstate where he seems to be getting an approving nod from voters. How is he perceived in Western NY? Does he have the voter support that might motivate him to call favors on this issue?

Sorry about the political commentary, but it is Bills related. :)

I had a drink the other day
Opinions were like kittens
I was giving them away
-Modest Mouse

by oompaloompa on Dec 14, 2011 12:45 PM EST reply actions

Paterson said that he was a close personal friend of the Commissioner and would know if the league planned on moving the franchise. It turned out to be completely overblown.

Frankly, I think Cuomo is full of it. He can say that he will work to keep the team in town but until he backs that up with action, his word is worthless. Cuomo knows that he needs a certain amount of political support upstate to survive (not as much as a Republican would, but some) and promising to work to keep the Bills in the area will do that, even if he has no intention whatsoever of making good on his promise.

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Dec 14, 2011 6:10 PM EST up reply actions

even if he has no intention whatsoever of making good on his promise.

Yeah. Saying you’ll support efforts without promising money sounds like one of those platitudes politicians say – “We want safe streets and good schools!” Yay.

LIke MRW wrote below, this looks like it will happen. Nothing else makes sense as long as the improvements are not unreasonable.

I had a drink the other day
Opinions were like kittens
I was giving them away
-Modest Mouse

by oompaloompa on Dec 15, 2011 11:23 AM EST up reply actions

Is there any expectation to get the stadium up to Dallas or MetLife standards?

No.

New York State would lose considerable money if the Bills left. They have made well over $100M off the team since the last publicly funded improvement just in income tax. Add in the economic benefit to Orchard Park of the added hotels, restaurants plus the sales tax revenue. It’s a no-brainer that the state would want the NFL in town.

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by MattRichWarren on Dec 15, 2011 8:56 AM EST up reply actions