Web Rumblings: Buffalo Bills News, 7/14

Bills choose to stay the course on optional blackout policy - BuffaloBills.com
"NFL clubs that do choose to participate in the new 85 percent blackout rule must surrender 50 percent of money from every ticket sold over the 85 percent threshold to the NFL’s "visiting team pool" instead of the typical 34 percent. That would mean substantial revenue losses for games that sellout."

Inside The Bills | Fan Friday 7-13
Chris Brown thinks the Bills will stick with five wideouts plus Brad Smith, and discusses Chris Kelsay's role, Fendi Onobun's future, T.J. Graham starting Week 1, and the evolution of the Wildcat in Buffalo.

Inside The Bills | Chan on why Jones in slot so much
"I think we have a good feel for what Donald is outside," said Gailey. "I think we’re trying to make sure what he can do inside and go from there. It’s about his comfort zone. We’ll see where it all plays out in camp because he’ll have enough outside snaps too."

Inside The Bills | Levitre a top 10 pass block guard
Former Bills guard Richie Incognito was ranked higher.

Inside The Bills | Isn’t Nelson a #2 WR?
"After Stevie Johnson, Nelson is probably the most proven receiver after his 61-catch campaign in 2011 that included a game-winning touchdown catch against Oakland in Week 2. But knowing that Nelson is locked in as the team’s primary slot receiver he’s not seen as a number two on the outside or a candidate for that role per se. His rapport with Fitz working out of the slot is valuable."

#11 - Who are the training camp sleepers? - BuffaloBills.com
"There are a lot fewer holes than there used to be as Buddy Nix and his personnel department have capably stocked the roster with legitimate talent. With that in mind we take a look at both the lesser known talent that could surprise as well as recognized talent on Buffalo’s roster that could have a larger role than anticipated."

Bills officially decline relaxed blackout policy - The Buffalo News
"We are not going to participate in the relaxed-manifest rule," Brandon said. "We are a volume-based business, and for us to be successful, we need to keep our ticket prices low and sell a greater number of tickets."

A contrary view: Ho-hum on blackouts - The Buffalo News
"But the Bills play in a facility that is subsidized by taxpayers, many people argue. The government subsidizes a lot of businesses - large and small - with major tax breaks and incentives. Unfortunately, those businesses don't let me walk in and get their product for free."

Fan group statement on Bills blackouts - The Buffalo News
"While we are disappointed that the Bills aren't planning to opt-in to the NFL's new relaxed blackout policy, we understand and respect their decision. Unfortunately, the new rule makes it more difficult on small market teams to participate by asking them to predict a ticket selling threshold with the risk of lost revenue."

Terrell Owens continues downward spiral - The Buffalo News
"Owens didn't show up Thursday for a child-support hearing. He's reportedly $20,000 behind on payments for his 7-year-old daughter. He has four kids by four mothers." Add it to the list.

Bills wrong to avoid new blackout policy? - AFC East Blog - ESPN
"The Bills are well within their rights not to use the relaxed policy, and they probably won't be the last team to do so. But this is another reminder that the NFL, first and foremost, is a business. The primary point is to make money and sell tickets."

The Real Rob Report Hits The ESPYs' Red Carpet - SB Nation Seattle
"Michael Robinson hit the ESPYs' red carpet on Wednesday night to interview athletes and sports figures on his show." Vince Young is one of the interviewees.

Butler, White say thanks with free camp | The Asheville Citizen-Times
Johnny White went back to Asheville, NC, to host a free football camp in his hometown.

Former Editor in Chief of National Lampoon Snaps, Blames Buffalo Bills, Goes on Crusade
"Scott Rubin, the former Editor in Chief of National Lampoon and a hopelessly obsessed life-long Buffalo Bills fan hits the road in an attempt to quit football’s most notorious losing franchise. Will Rubin succumb to the preseason hype over recent free agent signing Mario Williams and thus risk losing his wife and family or find a way to kick his addiction to losing for good?"

Spiller aims to build on late season surge with Bills | Gainesville.com
"Oh, yeah, he'll be there the whole year without a doubt," Spiller said. "He would have been there this whole past season, but we had a guy playing at a Pro Bowl level."You can definitely expect the same one that ended the season to be there from the beginning to the end."

C.J. Spiller still a hometown hero in Lake Butler | jacksonville.com
"Spiller, who earned a four-year sociology degree from Clemson in 3 1/2 years, reports to the Bills’ training camp in two weeks, where he’ll try and win the starting running back job away from Fred Jackson." Um... good luck with that.

PFT Live: Can Fitzpatrick turn the Bills around? | ProFootballTalk
"Mike Florio chats with Tim Graham of the Buffalo News to talk all things Buffalo Bills. After a big offseason of signings, Bills fans are hopeful that they can make the playoffs this season and Graham believes Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the X-factor for the Bills this year."

Andre Reed Celebrity Golf Tournament - mcall.com
Andre Reed's tournament used to benefit The Second Mile, but with recent events they have switched the benefits to the United Way and Boys & Girls Club.

New On Field Buffalo Bills Hat On Sale At New Era | WKBW
"The New Era Store in downtown Buffalo has released the new On Field Buffalo Bills hat for sale today starting at 10:00 am."