Fri, 09 May 2008 07:59:38 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/ Buffalo Bills Insider en-us http://www.billsinsider.com/images/http://www.buffalorange.com/ http://www.billsinsider.com/ billsinsider@aol.com http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15344 A federal judge in Virginia has ordered imprisoned NFL quarterback Michael Vick to repay more than $2.4 million to a Canadian bank for defaulting on a loan. The Royal Bank of Canada sued Vick in September, arguing his guilty plea to federal dogfighting charges and the resulting impact on his career prevented him from repaying the loan. Fri, 09 May 2008 07:59:38 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15343 It looks like the New England Patriots spied on more of their opponents than previously thought, including the Buffalo Bills. ESPN.com reports, former Patriots employee Matt Walsh has turned over videos requested by the National Football League. Fri, 09 May 2008 07:55:51 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15342 Most of my knowledge about police operating procedure is based on what I've seen on television and what my sports editor, a former crime reporter, tells me. Fortunately, my only firsthand experience involves speeding and failure to come to a complete stop. (Come to think of it, some of my columns suffer from the same problems.) Fri, 09 May 2008 07:51:37 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15341 Regular readers of this column may recall how a few weeks ago I mentioned watching Night After Night in the early 1990s. I said I missed host Allan Havey and his announcer, Nick Bakay. After that column ran I got an e-mail from Bakay, who I consider a comedy god. What follows is our e-mail Q&A session. Fri, 09 May 2008 07:47:18 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15340 Football fans hoping to take in the Buffalo Bills' games at the Rogers Centre will have to shell out as much as $295 per ticket. And that's not even for the best seats in the house. Fri, 09 May 2008 07:33:52 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15339 Many of the 200 or so kids who applauded the instant Branden Albert walked into the muggy gym at the Boys and Girls Club on Genesee Street Wednesday afternoon had no idea who he was. It was only after the hulking man spoke into the microphone that they learned he was an NFL player, and, more importantly, that he was born and raised in Rochester. Fri, 09 May 2008 07:28:45 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15338 I’m a little confused. I, along with most fans and Draftniks, felt that the Buffalo Bills seriously needed to upgrade their tight end position. Over the years, the Brass at One Bills Drive has used band-aids to patch up a gaping wound. Many young quarterbacks around the league (Cowboys, Giants, and Chargers) have leaned on their respective tight ends to help them through growing pains and, in some cases, substandard receiving corps. The Bills have dealt with both issues since the departure of Drew Bledsoe. Former first round selection JP Losman has failed to make an impact during his four-year tenure in Buffalo. Rookie Trent Edwards took over last season, yet couldn’t help the Bills finish higher than 29th in passing TD’s and 30th in total passing yards and average passing yards per game. Thu, 08 May 2008 13:21:05 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15337 This Saturday Bills linebacker John DiGiorgio will be crossing a stage to accept something he has worked very hard to earn. It's not an award for his football accomplishments. It's his college diploma as the soon-to-be Saginaw Valley State alum earned his degree in physical and health education, with a minor in psychology. Thu, 08 May 2008 12:11:23 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15336 When the Buffalo Bills were on the clock in Round 2 of last month's NFL draft, they absolutely made the right decision in choosing former University of Indiana wide receiver James Hardy with the 41st overall pick. Measured anywhere from 6-foot-5 to 6-7 and weighing around 220 pounds, Hardy -- in terms of size -- is exactly what Buffalo's sputtering offense and frighteningly tiny receiving corps needs going forward. With that said, this decade's history says that fans expecting greatness from Hardy might ultimately be disappointed. Thu, 08 May 2008 09:51:06 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15335 Bills Toronto Series organizers announced Wednesday that the first group of tickets will be offered for sale to randomly selected www.billsintoronto.com registrants during the week of May 19. Approximately 180,000 ticket requests have been registered for the upcoming Bills Toronto Series games at Rogers Centre. "Football fans from across the country have formally expressed their interest in watching live NFL football in Toronto," said Phil Lind, Vice Chairman, Rogers Communications. "We are overwhelmed by this response, and we are now working hard to ensure that the NFL experience in Toronto will be unforgettable." Wed, 07 May 2008 16:23:43 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15334 Joe Brockington’s dream of playing on Sundays took a hit yesterday. Wed, 07 May 2008 16:19:35 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15333 The Buffalo Bills do draft for value; it’s just that they value what they need most. Players acquired with the first pair of selections simply have to make an instant impact for a team to achieve even marginal success, and the franchise has acquired vital support over the past few drafts by balancing who’s available with where it unquestionably must add skill. Most importantly, this strategy is superior to bringing aboard the alleged best player left and then letting him rot as a reserve. Wed, 07 May 2008 11:50:38 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15332 The Buffalo Bills haven’t been in the playoffs since 1999. And many Bills fans fear the franchise has one foot out the door — possibly moving to Toronto — once owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. passes from the scene. But those twin developments haven’t seemed to hurt the Bills at the turnstiles. With four months left until the Sept. 7 home opener against Seattle, the Bills already have surpassed last year’s season-ticket total of 48,236. The current total already is around 49,000. Wed, 07 May 2008 08:31:59 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15331 Finally, David Witthoft shunned his Brett Favre jersey for the first time in 1,581 days. The Ridgefield, Conn. boy, 12, wore the No. 4 jersey every day since receiving it as a gift for Christmas in 2003. David's father, Chuck Witthoft, said Monday that his son's last day wearing the jersey was April 23 — his 12th birthday. Tue, 06 May 2008 06:17:29 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15330 Follow the money and find the truth. The Buffalo Bills expect to earn $78-million for the eight games they'll play at the Rogers Centre in Toronto over the next five years. That's about $4-million a game more than they bring in at Ralph Wilson Stadium, which holds about 20,000 more spectators. Tue, 06 May 2008 05:38:19 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15329 Despite all the attention the Buffalo Bills spent on retooling their defence this offseason, Perry Fewell thinks it's way too early to get overly excited or start speaking in absolutes. Then again, the coordinator has good reason to couch his hopes after what happened last year, when the Bills defence was decimated by injuries at every position but tackle. Tue, 06 May 2008 05:31:57 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15328 Having scored 98 touchdowns — that’s right, two short of 100 — in four years at college, Xavier Omon has a knack for finding the end zone. “Let’s hope it stays that way,’’ the running back said, cracking a smile. Tue, 06 May 2008 05:24:01 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15327 More than 150 Troy faithful went out to support the No. 11 NFL Draft pick of the Buffalo Bills, otherwise known as Leodis McKelvin, Monday night. McKelvin was at the Santa Fe Cattle Co. signing autographs from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. and he said it was all he could do to support a town that has been so good to him. Tue, 06 May 2008 05:18:46 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15326 Former Elmhurst and IU star James Hardy and the rest of the Buffalo Bills rookies concluded their brief three day camp Sunday, and will retuirn later this month to begin prepping for their pro football careers. (Located on site is a streaming report for your viewing pleasure) Tue, 06 May 2008 05:09:56 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15325 The higher the draft pick, the more money a team has invested and the more likely the player is to make the team. Xavier Omon, of Beatrice, was a sixth-round selection of the Buffalo Bills. He said he knows he has his work cut out for him, and it started over the weekend at rookie camp. "It's definitely harder than college, because you're learning so much new stuff," Omon said. "It's starting to come to you. It's like a puzzle -- got to put it together so it's complete." Tue, 06 May 2008 05:02:59 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15324 When Donte Whitner was roaming the secondary as a college player for Ohio State, their game plan each week was pretty straightforward. On a roster blessed with more than its share of top flight athletes, most of the time the coaching staff would leave the secondary in man-to-man coverage knowing their cornerbacks could handle it. Mon, 05 May 2008 19:31:09 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15323 Two Aprils ago, when the Buffalo Bills chose Dwayne Wright in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft, many were expecting the 5-foot-11, 228-pounder to develop -- whether quickly or eventually -- into the team's go-to running back in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Mon, 05 May 2008 15:55:04 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15322 After five practices over three days, the Buffalo Bills completed their rookie minicamp, satisfied the first-year players soaked up a lot of knowledge that they will apply toward challenging for a roster spot this summer. Mon, 05 May 2008 07:47:32 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15321 Derek Fine’s receiving numbers at the University of Kansas weren’t jaw-dropping last season. But his 46 catches for 394 yards and four touchdowns weren’t that bad for a tight end playing in a spread offense that used multiple wide receivers and moved him all over the field. Mon, 05 May 2008 07:43:25 -0400 http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15320 Three days and five workouts later Buffalo's rookie minicamp has come to a close. With just 28 players in attendance Bills head coach Dick Jauron was most pleased with the individualized attention a lot of the young players received. Sun, 04 May 2008 17:37:06 -0400