What about Bob?

According to this blog post from Chris Brown of buffalobills.com (through profootballtalk.com), the Bills could use the no-huddle offense as much as 50 percent of the time this season.

Coach Dick Jauron generally favors a ball-control offense, but the addition of Terrell Owens gives the Bills two 1,000-yard receivers (Owens and Lee Evans) to go with two solid slot receivers in Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish.

Couple that with two running backs who can catch the ball out of the backfield (Marshawn Lynch, pictured right, had 47 receptions in '08 and Fred Jackson had 37), and (shockingly) the generally anemic Bills could have the makings of a dynamic offense.

The key for QB Trent Edwards in the no-huddle isn't necessarily yards or touchdowns, it's completion percentage. Buffalo's defense isn't terrible (14th in yards per game allowed last season), but if it's constantly being forced back into the game because of three-and-outs, it could spell trouble.

Edwards completed 65.5 percent of his passes last season, which is a significant jump over the 56.1 from his rookie year in '07. If he can stay in the 66-68 percent range and complete the 3rd-and-5s (and under), the Bills could have something here.

Don't be surprised if they ease into the no-huddle, though — for two reasons. First, they start off against two tough defenses (New England and Tampa Bay) and second, Lynch is suspended for the first three games after violating the league's conduct policy (it is under appeal).

-Chris Mascaro

(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

In an interview with the Associated Press yesterday, Bills owner Ralph Wilson said he will wait "two or three years" to decide whether staging games in Toronto's Rogers Centre is a successful venture.

He also mentioned that, despite Rogers Communications (the company that owns the stadium and the Toronto Blue Jays) expressing interest in more regular season games (the current agreement is one per year through 2012 plus three preseason contests), there is no plans for adding more as of now.

"I'm sure they want another game. And who knows?" Wilson told the AP at his home outside Detroit. "I don't know whether they'll get another game or not. We'll have to see how it works out up there."

In the inaugural Toronto game, the Bills lost to Miami, 16-3, in Week 14 in front of an announced attendance of 52,134. Since the Rogers Centre is a dome, the early December game was played in a balmy 68 degrees instead of 15 degrees outside. Miami, which is 2-7 in games at Orchard Park after Dec. 1, also had plenty of fans in the stadium that afternoon. Maybe the addition of this guy will add more Buffalo fans this year.

"It definitely didn't feel like an away game for us," said Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell after the game. "The way we played up here today and just to look out in the stands, I think we did win over some fans."

Fans expressed displeasure over high ticket prices for the game, which averaged about $200 for lower-tier seats. Prices have been cut 17 percent this year, with 11,000 tickets selling for under $100.

Despite all these factors, it's difficult for the small-market Bills to turn down the $78 million Rogers is paying them for the rights to these games.

Said Wilson: "We're doing this to keep the team (in Buffalo). I could see why people think that this is just the first step of moving the team. But they don't realize how difficult it is to compete against the Cowboys and all these new stadiums."

The Bills will play host to the Jets in the Rogers Centre Thursday, Dec. 3 (Week 13) at 8:20 p.m.

(AP Photo)

Corey McIntyre, the Buffalo Bills fullback who had been charged with fondling himself outside a 59-year old woman's window but maintained his innocence, was apparently telling the truth.

The misdemeanor charge was dropped on Wednesday after the victim couldn't properly ID McIntyre. According to Thomas Nichols of the Port St. Lucie PD (where the incident took place), a new possible suspect has been arrested. The only similarity between the new suspect and McIntyre is that they are both black and have dreadlocks.

Nichols also noted that the new suspect is just 150 pounds, while McIntyre, an NFL fullback, is 260.

In the police's later interviews with the victim, she said she never saw the suspect's genitals and she couldn't positive identify McIntyre.

Said McIntyre, who hasn't missed time with the Bills because of these charges: "I just want to say that I'm happy that my name has been cleared today. I have maintained my innocence all through this process, and I'm just glad it's out of the way.

"I'm sorry for the embarrassment to my family and to the Bills, and now my focus is on training camp. And that's all I have to say."

-Chris Mascaro

(AP Photo/David Duprey)

Well, perhaps in certain neighborhoods. In a Twitter post from yesterday afternoon, Owens said that folks in an Orchard Park area he's looking for homes in "dn't want any drama n their neighborhood!!". He followed with an "LOL!!! Wow!!," so apparently he's taking the whole thing in stride.

Real estate agent Bob Wozniak disputed T.O.'s claim, saying Owens has yet to tour the 1 Deer Run home and that his clients would be more than happy to show him around.

"I don't know how it all got started," Wozniak said to the AP.

Here is the listing for the six-bedroom home. It's priced at $489,397, which is significantly lower than it would be on Long Island.

-Chris Mascaro

Remember this story about Corey McIntyre, the Buffalo Bills fullback who was accused of fondling himself outside a 59-year old woman's window?

Well according to this story in the Buffalo News, McIntyre's agent, Brett J. Tessler, said that McIntyre passed a polygraph test "with flying colors," maintaining he was not the one who exposed himself to the woman.

Added Tessler: “It’s a case of mistaken identity. I don’t know who it was, but it sure as hell wasn’t Corey McIntyre.”

However, according to Port St. Lucie police, the charges have not been dropped.

“At this time, the charges are pending,” said Thomas Nichols, Port St. Lucie police public information officer. “At this time, we do not believe that Corey McIntyre has been cleared of anything.”

We'll keep you posted on this one.

-Chris Mascaro

Bruce Smith, the NFL's all-time sacks leader with 200 in 19 seasons with the Bills and Redskins, was charged with drunken driving Friday morning in Virginia Beach.

The 45-year old Smith, who was an 11-time Pro Bowler, was pulled over for speeding on I-264 in Virginia Beach at around 1:42 a.m. and refused a breath test. Smith was released on bond a few hours later according to police.

The No. 1 pick in the 1985 draft has two DUI arrests on his record, but no arrests -- his 1997 charge was dismissed and he was acquitted in 2003.

Yet another DUI added to the unfortunately long list of NFL offenders, including Koren Robinson, Deltha O'Neal, Warren Moon, Vincent Jackson, Lofa Tatupu, et al.

-Chris Mascaro

Chalk up another one in the "you just can't make this stuff up" category.

Corey McIntyre, who has played five NFL seasons with the Browns, Saints, Falcons and currently the Bills, was arrested on March 20 for fondling himself outside a 59-year old woman's home in Port St. Lucie, Florida, according to ESPN. He was arrested on a charge of exposing sexual organs.

The incident allegedly occured at 8:30 a.m., when McIntyre, according to the woman, knocked on the woman's window during the act and then fled the scene when she looked outside. Police later stopped him on a bicycle based on the woman's description.

McIntyre was charged with a misdemeanor (meaning a warrant was needed for the arrest) causing the lapse before he was put in jail.

McIntyre, who signed a two-year extension with the Bills in February, is free on $10,000 bond.

Said his agent, Brett Tessler, in a statement: "Corey is one of the highest-character people around and the last guy who would do what he's been accused of."

-Chris Mascaro

... but that doesn't mean they'll get what they want.

Bills GM Russ Brandon told reporters at a press briefing today that the team will do whatever it can to keep Peters. But that would mean signing him to a lucrative contract extension that would make him among the highest paid tackles in the game.

So far, the Bills have been unwilling to accommodate him. That means a trade is not out of the question.

The Iggles have been mentioned as a potential suitor, although they might be content to draft Alabama's Andre Smith if he's available.

The Bills' left tackle staged a protracted contract holdout last season, to no avail. He's angling for a new contract once more, and this time, the Bills have to think seriously about trading him.

With left tackles commanding a high price - it could take a first-round pick and then some to swing a deal - Buffalo appears to be at least considering a deal that would send the disgruntled left tackle to another destination.

The Bills' newly signed receiver has shown up at the team's voluntary off-season conditioning program, this after saying he'd had no such plans to do so. He discussed a variety of subjects, which you can read at your leisure.

On showing up to workouts:
I think you guys only got a piece of the story, what was reported. When the guy asked me about it. I told the guy, I informed him that I’ve never really come to any optional, voluntary camps. I said that doesn’t mean I’m going to show up. I know at some point I have to get acclimated with the system, come here with some of the guys. I think you guys only got a piece of what was reported, which is the case nine times out of ten.

On how much he’s done with QB Trent Edwards:
The last couple of days, we’ve got some throwing in. Trent was out there yesterday, and today some of the other guys were out there. I’m just trying to get familiarized with the offense and the signals and things like that.

On his observations of Edwards:
Well, he throws a nice ball, so this is early, and we obviously have a long way to go and so I’m looking forward to getting to minicamps, OTAs, and training camp is really where it all begins.

On Troy Aikman’s recent observations about the Dallas Cowboys, in which he praised the team for releasing T.O.:
That’s fine. Troy is Troy. I think he has three Super Bowl rings, so he has the authority to say that. Other than that, I’m fine. I’ve been called selfish pretty much throughout my career. I think I’m in good company, Jerry Rice has been called selfish before, as well as a number of other guys. I’m still probably going to be called selfish, so other than that, it doesn’t bother me, what he says. I come from a background where I wasn’t even thinking about getting drafted, I went to a small school, so the things that I’ve accomplished so far really eclipses anything that anybody says about me. He said it, and I’ll move on.

On his impressions of the region:
So far, I’m loving it. I had a good time up in Toronto, I had a chance to get around a few days here. I went to the Buffalo Chophouse and grabbed something to eat, Tempo last night, so I’m just trying to familiarize myself with the area and get out a little bit.

On how long he plans to be in town:
I’m going to work with my receiving coach and with Coach Jauron with my schedule. I already told him, we’re already on track with; there will be days and weeks that I’ll be coming in, two or three days here, two or three days there, and so even before everything was even reported about me not showing up I had already talked to Coach Jauron about those things, so that’s why I really wasn’t worried about anything that was reported.

Continue reading "Terrell Owens speaks " »

The Bills have high hopes for their offense this season with the addition of T.O. to go along with Pro Bowl running back Marshawn Lynch. But it looks as if Buffalo fans will have to wait until at least Week 4 to see it.

ESPN.com's Michael Smith is reporting that commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended Lynch for the first three games of the season for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

Lynch was arrested by Culver City (Calif.) police on Feb. 11 after they found a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun inside a backpack in his trunk. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge and was given 80 hours of community service and three years' probation.

Goodell called Lynch into his office in New York for a meeting on March 17, and Lynch said soon thereafter that he expected a suspension. Smith is reporting that he will appeal, however.

-Chris Mascaro

(AP Photo)

What a surprise.

The Bills' new receiver now believes that he would have remained with the Cowboys had team owner Jerry Jones not reneged a promise made to T.O.

Toronto Globe and Mail, citing a Rogers Sportsnet interview with Owens, indicates T.O. said J.J. was not in favor of giving him the heave-ho.

"I know whole-heartedly he [Cowboys owner Jerry Jones] wanted me there,” Owens said. “There were some people I know who got in his ear that pressured him to make that decision. For that, it’s sad. You let two or three people conspire to get me out of the situation."

Actually, there has been a ton of speculation that Jones' son, Stephen, did get in his ear and tell the owner to get rid of the outspoken and controversial receiver.

But T.O. didn't absolve J.J. completely.

"You hear all the speculation, and you talk to the owner of the team, and he reassures you, you’re not going anywhere and then, out of left-field … you get blindsided."

Jones didn't directly address Owens' comments, other than to tell the Dallas Morning News he and Owens "have a great relationship."

"I'm sorry we didn't get this year in on the contract, but I don't have any pointed comment to what he said that there were people within the organization that didn't want him here," Jones said. "I read the substance of [the comments]. Bottom line is I don't really have any comments."

The flamboyant wide receiver, who just signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the Bills, is excited about his new teams.

Just not excited enough to show up very often.

T.O. says he'll participate in the team's off-season activities, but only the mandatory ones. You know, the ones where you get fined if you miss them. Like a couple of mini-camps.

That's it. Otherwise, it's sayonara.

Terrell Owens will wear No. 81 with the Buffalo Bills, so says the Associated Press.

Little known James Hardy (pictured) wore the number as a rookie last season (he'll switch to No. 84). Hardy wore No. 82 at Indiana, but had to change once he got to Buffalo because Josh Reed already had that number.

No word yet on any compensation for Hardy.

(AP Photo)

-Chris Mascaro

Well, let's put it this way. When asked on a Buffalo sports talk radio station what T.O.'s initial reaction was when agent Drew Rosenhaus said Buffalo was interested, there was a seven-second delay, followed by Owens repeating the question, followed by four more seconds of dead air.

On the Shredd and Ragan Show on WEDG in Buffalo, Owens eventually answered the question.

"At that point in time I was just going up there to have a meeting and I thought that was just going to be the start of the process of trying to find me a team. From that standpoint, once I got there I was very excited with the coaching staff, I met with the head coach and one thing kind of just happened after another.”

T.O.'s assessment of the Bills:

"I’m looking forward to a lot of excitement. Last year they showed a lot of promise of what they could be. In talking with the coaches, they’re just looking for that one piece to get them over the hump. I’m hoping I can be that piece.”

On what he would say to Bills fans that are worried about his sideline antics:

“About the drama guys, there was no drama (laughing). I think the clips that they show on TV and the commentary they have behind those, dude, those are all lies. It’s misleading. The time they showed me talking to Andre Gurode, all I was asking him was to kind of talk to the guys to protect Tony so we could get things going with the offense.”

Here's the interview, courtesy of a new web invention called sportsradiointerviews.com.

... oh, you remember in a previous post where I said Buffalo News beat reporter Mark Gaughan's life has been turned upside down by Owens' arrival? This is just one more example why.

Plenty of eyebrows were raised on Saturday when Terrell Owens signed up with the Bills for a year, but we're beginning to think this is not the worst thing in the world.

For either party.

A few reasons why:

1. It was encouraging for Owens that he actually drew interest from a team, after the unprecedented string of announcements shortly after his release from the Cowboys that more than half the league's teams wouldn't go near the controversial 35-year-old wide receiver. From both New York teams, to both Bay Area teams, to plenty of teams in the middle, they couldn't get word out fast enough that they considered Owens the NFL equivalent of nuclear waste.

2. By signing a one-year deal, Owens will almost certainly be on his best behavior, if for no other reason than to be in play for the 2010 season, either in Buffalo or elsewhere. Owens' track record is that he doens't make waves initially. For instance, he was a model player with the Eagles in 2004, the year Philadelphia went to the Super Bowl. It was only after the first year that he turned (back) into a whacko who blew up the locker room.

Continue reading "Terrell Owens and Buffalo ... perfect together? " »

Just received word from a source in Buffalo that the Bills have called a press conference for 6:15 p.m.

This amid reports that Terrell Owens is in Buffalo to try and work out a deal with the Bills.

Well, that didn't take long. Assuming the two sides have reached agreement on a contract.

(UPDATE: ESPN.com is reporting the deal is done ... 1 year, $6.5 million.)

Uh-oh.

The Bills running back was busted last Wednesday in Los Angeles on weapons charges.
No, he didn't shoot himself in the leg a la Burress.

But he could be in a heap of trouble if there is a plea deal or a conviction.

Some sad news today out of Buffalo, as the office of Jack Kemp — a former congressman from western New York who was a vice presidential candidate in 1996 on Bob Dole's ticket — released a statement saying the 73-year old had been diagnosed with cancer. The type of cancer was not announced.

Kemp had quite an interesting pro football career that began with him being cut by the Detroit Lions, who drafted him out of Division III Occidental College in the 17th round in the 1957 draft. He bounced around the league (and the CFL) until 1960 when he was given a chance with the Los Angeles Chargers of the AFL.

He was a first-team all-pro in 1960 as he led the team to a 10-4 record. The next year Kemp was again an all-pro and advanced the then-San Diego Chargers to a 12-2 record. Both years, the squad lost to the Houston Oilers in the AFL Championship game.

But Kemp made his name in Buffalo, where he won two AFL titles (1964 & 1965, both times defeating the Chargers) and was the MVP of the league and the championship game in 1965. He holds numerous AFL passing records, including career passing yards.

Currently, Kemp, who had his own unsuccessful bid for the White House in 1988 and later served as Housing Secretary under George H. W. Bush, is serving as the Chairman of his own consulting firm, Kemp Partners, which is based in Washington.

(Getty Images)

Every Jets fan knows the cardinal rule of watching their football team: Never walk away from the TV until the game is actually over. You just don't know what you'll miss when it comes to the New York Jets.

In that sense, they are the most exciting football team to watch on television. No matter what the score is, with four minutes left in a Jets game, you still don't know who is going to win the game.

Against no other team would the Bills decide to call a pass play with 2:11 left in the game, up 3, and Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson having plenty of "Get out of Tackles Free" cards still left in their uniform pants.

If this were the Titans vs. Lions, or Cowboys-Redskins, or Dolphins-Vikings, or really another combination of teams that doesn't have New York Jets in their title, we could have walked away from the screen at that point.

But, oh no, not with the Jets on. Seriously, what would possess Dick Jauron to call a pass play with the awful J.P. Losman as the quarterback? Did Jauron not remember that Lynch and Jackson were running all over the Jets defense? Maybe there's a little Scott Norwood floating around the sideline?

For those still in shock about that display of poor offensive strategy, here's a review:

- Losman rolled to his right on second-and-5, with 2:11 left in the game, BIlls up 27-24.

- Abram Elam came off the edge, chased down Losman and forced the fumble

- The ball bounced around until Shaun Ellis picked it up, dropped it, then picked it up again and ran it into the end zone.

- And just like that, the Jets took a 31-27 lead.

That is Jet football right there, folks. Wait until the final few minutes of the game, make sure the fans have absolutely no idea what is going to happen, then pull off some type of play that has everyone saying "Same old Jets!"

Only difference? That phrase is followed by a smile instead of a gut-wrenching scowl and three buckets of bitterness.

And how many people out there knew when Darrelle Revis intercepted that pass with 1:47 left, this game wasn't over? Even I knew not to bother turning my computer on until the final second ticked off the clock.

Ah, same old Jets!

Not sure if you've heard about this yet.

But a prominent former NFL running back will serve at least six years in prison for his role in a botched robbery attempt.

This is not a good week for the NFL and the police blotter.

It's also how I feel knowing that Neil Best is back on the blogosphere.

All is right with the world.

(For those who might not know, NKR is a loyal reader. She loves dogs. She hates the Bills because her ex- loves the Bills. She sent along this picture in an e-mail that read: "No words required.")

The Bills' second-year running back pleaded guilty in a case involving a hit-and-run car accident, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell now says he won't impose a suspension.

The reason: since Lynch pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor traffic violation, Goodell said he did not violate the league's personal conduct policy.

Very saddened to hear about the passing of former Bills backup offensive lineman Mitch Frerotte,who was one of the most colorful characters on the Bills teams that played in all those Super Bowls in the 1990s.

Frerotte wasn't a household name because of his blocking, but his love of professional wrestling and his frequent use of paint on his face made him a lovable character on a team filled with interesting personalities.

He was just 43 years old and was stricken at his mother's home.