Ellison Signs Tender Offer: The Buffalo News is reporting that Keith Ellison has signed his one year tender offer from the club. The restricted free agent reportedly was tendered the offer of just over $1 Million that gave the Bills the right to match any offer he received. His signing of the tender officially keeps him on the team for the next year.
Bills Ok With Exploring Extra Games: The organizers of the games in Toronto now say the question about extra games on a recent survey was hypothetical. It was supposedly part of a series of questions given to ticket holders in trying to make the series better going forward. The survey asked if fans would be interested in a 2nd regular season game over the next three years. The Buffalo News reports however that the Bills were aware of the survey in advance and were agreeable to the idea of polling their customers about extra games. The article in the News goes on to say the team is very happy with the Toronto partnership and an extra game there could give the Bills more revenue along with possibly lowering prices for tickets in Toronto. Senator Chuck Schumer told the News that he has a strong preference not to let another game go to Toronto and is keeping an eye on the situation.
Goodell Not Happy With Lynch: ESPN.com asked Roger Goodell about Marshawn Lynch during a press conference yesterday at the owners meeting. He said there are consequences for his actions and if they aren't negative consequences then it won't deter him from future indescretions. He said he listened carefully to what Lynch had to say in the meeting last week and will issue is ruling in the near future.
No Comp Picks: As expected the Bills did not receive any compensatory picks from the league for free agent losses last year. The team actually had a net gain in the formula used by the league to hand out the extra draft picks.
Preston May Return: Free agent offensive lineman Duke Preston remains on the market. It had looked like he may go to Oakland but the Raiders have traded for a center with Miami. ESPN.com is reporting that it is now down to the Bills or Packers for Preston and a decision can come any day now. Preston could challenge for the starting left guard spot and will at the least offer backup at guard and center.
Jauron Not Worried About T.O.: It was hard for Dick Jauron to be upset that Terrell Owens isn't at the team's offseason conditioning program because he isn't there either. Jauron is at the owners meetings and not at the workouts. He said while he would like to have everyone there it is voluntary and they aren't concerned since T.O. keeps himself in great shape. It also isn't a critical time since the offense isn't being installed. It is about strength and conditioning. Jauron did say he's very excited about the Monday night opener for his team and the fans.
Monday March 23, 2009
Bills Open On Monday Night: At the owners meeting today it was announced that the Bills will open the season on the road in Foxboro against the Patriots on Monday night Sept. 14th at 7pm. This is a marquee matchup of Terrell Owens and Randy Moss as well as the kickoff of the 50th anniversary of the AFL and the 40th anniversary of Monday Night Football. This will mark only the third time the team has ever started a season on Monday night and the first since 1976.
Owens Not In Attendance: Terrell Owens was not in attendance for the start of the team's offseason conditioning program today. This isn't a surprise as Owens normally doesn't participate in all of the voluntary workouts in the offseason. Dick Jauron alluded to that fact in his press conference last week and the team doesn't appear to be worried by his absence. There were more than 40 players in attendance today including most of the other big names. The players went under a screening process but most of them were in good shape. Newcomers Geoff Hangartner and Ryan Fitzpatrick joined their teammates for the first time today. The players normally workout four days a week taking Wednesdays and the weekends off but it is flexible and voluntary.
Saints or Bucs In Toronto? Last week it was reported that the Colts were the front runners for this year's game in Toronto. Vic Carucci is now reporting that the Saints or Buccaneers are the odds on favorites. Bills fans have stated loudly they would rather have an inter-conference game go North and these are the two NFC teams the Bills face at home this year. It was also earlier reported that the announcement could come at the owners meeting this week but not that doesn't appear likely.
Offseason Workouts Begin: The Bills officially begin their 12 week offseason conditioning program today at One Bills Drive. All workouts are voluntary and the players work with the strength and conditioning staff. They also do film study with the position coaches. Everyone is waiting to see whether or not Terrell Owens will be in attendance. The Bills usually have decent participation but many veterans do skip out on at least some of the workouts.
Bills Say No Agreement: The Bills responded to the survey released by Toronto organizers saying they may be able to play a 2nd regular season game in that city each of the next three season. The Bills released this statement on their website: "We are aware that there is interest in expanding the Bills in Toronto Series by an additional regular season game in the future. We're also aware that our hosts have conducted a survey as part of their internal process of evaluating whether to propose an expansion of the series. There is an agreement to play one regular season game for the next four seasons. We have no agreement, nor has there ever been one, to play an additional regular season game in Toronto. Any such future agreement would require consultation and the approvals of Erie County, Empire State Development Corporation and the NFL owners."
Owners Meeting Underway: The spring owners meeting got underway yesterday and runs through Wednesday. Ralph Wilson is not in attendance do to a shoulder injury. There will be talks about rule changes, offseason schedule changes, as well as the unstable labor situation of the league. Also, a trade or two may come out of the meeting as well.
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