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Bills Add WR Williams In Trade
Wilson Day Of Celebration: The Bills had their day of celebration to honor Ralph Wilson at the fieldhouse this afternoon. The team did a great job of setting up artifacats including his whole office and a lot of pictures and memorabilia. Players and alumni were in attendance and Mary Wilson greeted fans as they signed the guestbook. She also released this statement about her husband, “I want to take this opportunity to thank Bills fans and people everywhere for their tremendous outpouring of love for Ralph. Their heartfelt condolences and warm wishes have truly been a comfort for me, Ralph’s daughters Christy and Dee Dee, Mary Owen and the entire Wilson family during this difficult time. Ralph loved his life and he had a great full life that touched so many people in a variety of ways. He loved his family and his many friends. He loved his Buffalo Bills and he loved the fans. Before he passed, he told me that he wanted people to celebrate his life after he was gone. He wasn’t big on tears. And so that’s why we are referring to events such as the one today as “celebrating” the life of Ralph Wilson. This man accomplished so many things during his time and most of them have been well documented in the past couple of weeks. But the one thing that everyone has mentioned in their kind words was his sense of humor and that certainly was one of his most endearing qualities. Ralph most likely would have offered a funny quip about today’s event. But at the same time, he would have been profoundly touched by the fans outpouring of emotion.”
Friday April 4, 2014
Kelly At Knick Game: Jim Kelly was let out of the hospital for the weekend and immediately headed to Madison Square Garden to take in the Knicks game with his family. He was shown on the jumbotron and got a rousing ovation from the New York crowd. He was interviewed at the game and said he hopes when they do the chemo they will get everything but right now they are praying for a miracle. He wants everyone to continue praying for him. Kelly is expected to start chemotherapy and radiation treatments for his cancer on Monday.
Bills Trade For WR: The Bills announced that they have traded for Buccanners WR Mike Williams pending the passing of a physical. The team did not disclose the draft pick but it is widely reported to be a 6th rounder in this year's draft. The Buffalo native has talent but has had off the field troubles. He was allegedly stabbed by his brother a couple of weeks ago. Doug Marrone coached Williams during his first season at Syracuse before Williams quit the team. Williams caught over 60 passes each of his first three seasons before being limited to six games last year.
Sale By October? Tim Graham of the Buffalo News reports that sources tell him the team could be sold as early as this October which is much faster than originally expected. Adam Benigni of WGRZ-TV says that sources tell him that is possible but the timeline is very aggressive. A sale is more likely to be completed by next March's owners meeting with a chance of it happening in December. Either way it appears the Bills will have a new owner next year at this time with five years left on the locked in portion of the lease. Benigni says a sale will take some time because a yet to be determined investment banking firm will need to vett potential buyers and present their findings to the Bills and the NFL.
Thursday April 3, 2014
Mary Wilson In Charge: The Bills announced that Mary Wilson is now officially the controlling owner of the Buffalo Bills. This means nothing changes inside the organization at this time. Mary Wilson released a statement that said, "I have complete confidence in Russ Brandon, our President and CEO, to continue his duties of running the organization. General Manager Doug Whaley and Head Coach Doug Marrone remain empowered by Russ to run the football operation.” The move also puts into high gear the sale of the team as the trustees will begin the vetting process of possible buyers with hopes of having a new owner in around a year. Any owner that comes in as early as next year would still have to spend five years in Buffalo before they could move the team which may make it less attractive for a potential owner to come in who wants to move the team. The team said on their website, "A process will be established at an appropriate time for the sale of the franchise. This process will ensure that the club complies and is faithful to NFL rules and to its obligations to New York State and Erie County. We plan to have detailed discussions with the NFL, the State and County, and others as we determine the timing and structure of any sales process."
Wednesday April 2, 2014
Three More Visits: The pre draft visits are in full swing as three more players arrived at One Bills Drive today. Two players from Ohio State are in town as DB Bradley Roby and LB Ryan Shazier are in town along with Baylor RB Lache Seastrunk.
Group Meets: The New Stadium Working Group had their first meeting Tuesday in Buffalo. Russ Brandon, Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy, and Erie Co. Exec. Mark Poloncarz are the co-chairs of the committee that currently has 20 of 21 members. Senator Chuck Schumer was not in attendance. The committee says it will take time to come to conclusions but understands the urgency with the death of Ralph Wilson. No timetable has been set but they expect to have a framework of ideas before the team is sold. The co chairs would not get into specifics but said they have a lot of work to do and are in the process of gathering and analyzing data. Poloncarz says it can take up to two years to come to their findings. Possible conclusions include recommending a new stadium or a major retrofit of Ralph Wilson Stadium. No other meetings have been scheduled. It is just an advisory panel they can recommend but not mandate what they come up with.
Pre Draft Visits: The Bills hosted their first two pre draft visitors in Orchard Park yesterday. Indiana WR Cody Latimer and Notre Dame TE Troy Niklas were in town. Each team is allowed 30 visits from non local schools. A visit doesn't necessarily mean the team has strong interest in that player but the Bills top pick has visited Orchard Park each of the last four years according to WGR's Joe Buscaglia. Several other prospects have been reported to be coming to Buffalo for a visit as well. We will keep a running tally of visitors on the right side of our homepage.
Tuesday April 1, 2014
Panel To Meet Today: The New Stadium Working Group has a new member and their first meeting will take place in Buffalo today. The State still had two of their spots open on the 21 person committee and filled one of the spots with Time Warner Marketing VP Gary Ginsberg. He previously worked for the Clinton administration and News Corp. He is a Buffalo native.
Kelly's Chemo Delayed: Jim Kelly was expected to start his treatment of chemotherapy and radiation today but it has been delayed until Monday because he has been running a fever. The treatment is expected to last seven weeks to stop the countless microscopic tumors from spreading any further into his head. They do have the tremendous pain Kelly has been in under control. His brother Dan says they have some of the best pain management people at Leonnox Hill hospital.
Britt To Rams: Free agent WR Kenny Britt has signed with the Rams. He had a previous visit with the Bills a week and a half ago and was expected to make a decision last week. It is a one year deal with St. Louis.
Monday March 31, 2014
Bills Mafia Tailgate: The very popular twitter group Bills Mafia held a tailgate party yesterday to celebrate the life of Ralph Wilson. The original location had to be moved to a much bigger parking lot because of how popular the event became. Each car donated $10 to Hunters Hope and some proceeds from food sales also went to the cause. Approximately $3,000 was raised and Russ Brandon stopped by to address the crowd. He said the Bills will match the donation and gave a rousing speech saying the best way to honor Ralph Wilson is to win.
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