Press Coverage

By Tim Graham

Jerry Jones might be the most powerful kingpin of sport.

Regardless of what Buffalo Bills fans think of the polarizing Dallas Cowboys owner, his insight on the inner-workings of NFL business is substantial. His opinion carries profound weight.

As such, Jones has an educated and influential outlook on the Bills' long-term future in Western New York.

I asked Jones, fresh from owners meetings this week in Boston, if he thinks the Bills can remain viable here without a new stadium.

By Tim Graham

The man with the O.J. Simpson mug-shot tattoo on his haunch has been found.

And we didn't need Kato Kaelin's help to track him down.

Bryan LaBarron got the tattoo on his left thigh and hip about a year ago, but the image suddenly became famous when a Facebook photo went viral Wednesday night.

By Mark Gaughan

Buffalo Bills tight end Scott Chandler is looking good already in his recovery from major knee surgery.

That's a big deal for the Buffalo Bills' offense, which needs all of the proven weapons it can get.

Chandler tore a knee ligament last Dec. 23 at Miami and had surgery on Jan. 9. However, he is running around well at the Bills' spring practices.

Chandler started running pass routes three weeks ago. This week, he's running routes and catching the ball. He doesn't have a helmet on and he's not participating with the team in individual or team drills. But he was catching balls from quarterback Jeff Tuel today. Chandler was running well.

"I feel good, and I'm excited for the season," Chandler said. "The injury is different than it used to be. The doctors are better. And I have to attribute some of this, I'm a Christian guy. God is the ultimate healer. Just put your faith in him and see how it goes."

Can he be ready for the start of training camp?

"I feel it's realistic," he said.

The 6-foot-7 Chandler caught 43 passes last season, tied for the second most on the team. He has six touchdown catches each of the past two seasons.

There was a lot of speculation about the Bills pursuing a proven tight end in free agency, but they did not. They did take a tight end in the draft, but not until the seventh round, picking Arkansas' Chris Gragg

By Tim Graham

Brian Urlacher's retirement turned this morning's front page of NFL.com into a tribute to the Chicago Bears legend. Analysts and players reviewed his Hall of Fame credentials and debated where he ranks among the all-time great inside linebackers.

That led me to wonder about the Buffalo Bills' best inside or middle linebacker.

The list of candidates is rather short.

Who ya got?

By Tim Graham

Perhaps it's a reminder about the virtues of turning the other cheek.

Deadspin has shared a Buffalo Bills fan's fascinating tattoo: O.J. Simpson's 1994 mug shot. Large. On the guy's left thigh and rump.

The tattoo is stunning not only in its placement, but also in its sharpness. The tattoo artist is a talented fella. The job took nine hours, according to a vague report on Sports-Kings.com, the site that first posted the photo.

By Tim Graham

Online gambling site Bovada has posted its over-under win totals for the upcoming NFL season.

The Buffalo Bills opened at 6.5 wins, with early action leaning toward the under.

The only teams with lower totals are the Jacksonville Jaguars (five), Arizona Cardinals (5.5), Oakland Raiders (5.5) and Cleveland Browns (six). The New York Jets and Tennessee Titans also are at 6.5 wins.

The New England Patriots and Denver Broncos are tied for Bovada's highest total at 11.5 wins.

Tell us what you think about Buffalo's bettng line.

By Tim Graham

When it comes to the latest sports cards, nothing drives the market like hot rookies.

For a change, the Buffalo Bills have them this year.

The Bills haven't been too relevant in the industry. The Bills have misfired on many picks, and some of their best either played positions that simply don't appeal to collectors (linemen, defensive players) or took time to develop.

By Jay Skurski

The start to the professional career of Akron's J.C. Tretter with the Green Bay Packers is almost certain to be delayed after he broke his ankle during practice Monday.

Tretter's agent, Alan Herman, spoke with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the injury, saying that Tretter got his cleat caught in the turf during a field drill.

"It's like they're trying to slide into second base and he got his cleat caught and his ankle rolled over and broke," Herman told the newspaper. "Why they're practicing a fumble drill, I don't know. There's not supposed to be contact. That's a silly drill. Why have big 300-pound guys slide like that in OTAs?"

Herman suggested the injury will take about six months to fully heal. That could make him a candidate for the injured reserve, designated to return rule that the NFL instituted last year.

Tretter was expected to have surgery within 24 hours, with screws and a plate inserted to repair the torn ligament.

Tretter was not available this evening when contacted by The News.

By Tim Graham

At the start, Mario Williams' engagement-ring lawsuit was an interesting sidebar the provided a glimpse into the personal life of a sports celebrity.

As someone like Alex Rodriguez or Kobe Bryant can attest, the public devours tales from behind a superstar's curtain. Last week, Sports Illustrated put Williams in their financial company in the magazine's annual Fortunate 50 list.

But the plot abruptly shifted from trivial titillation to serious concern upon the release of texts from Williams to his ex-fiancee. In the texts, Williams allegedly referenced suicidal thoughts and narcotics abuse (taking hydrocodone before a game without anyone's knowledge).

This morning, Shredd and Ragan welcomed me to 103.3 The Edge, where we talked about the situation in depth.

By Tim Graham

For the first time in voluntary offseason workouts, Buffalo Bills receiver Stevie Johnson was on the field. He had been forced to watch previous practices because of a lower back injury.

"It definitely feels good to just be out there on the field, even through the little pains I have," Johnson said.

"It's getting better every week. They gave me a six- to eight-week thing to even get on the field, and it's only been about three, so I feel good."

By Tim Graham

When examining depth on the Buffalo Bills' roster, many analysts find receiver to be shallow.

NFL.com recently rated the worst position groups and listed Buffalo at wide receiver. On the Press Coverage blog last week, we discussed how troubled Buffalo would be if Stevie Johnson were unavailable.

Behind Johnson, the talent is mediocre or unproven.

All that said, ESPN and Scouts Inc. analyst Matt Williamson loves what the Bills are doing at receiver. He sees a collection of talent that can enter a game in various situations and give defenses problems.

By Mark Gaughan

The Buffalo Bills announced the signing of second-round draft pick Robert Woods, leaving quarterback EJ Manuel as the only unsigned draft pick for the team.

Woods was the first of Buffalo's two second-round picks, taken at No. 41 overall. His four-year deal is believed to be worth about $4.8 million.

Linebacker Kiko Alonso was the Bills' second second-round draft pick, taken at No. 46 overall. Manuel was the 16th overall selection.

Buffalo News writers Jerry Sullivan and Mark Gaughan review the most recent developments in the ongoing feud between Bills defensive end Mario Williams and his former fiancee:

By Tim Graham

Mario Williams emitted a sigh when he stepped to the lectern at One Bills Drive this afternoon and then answered every question asked about an unbecoming feud with his ex-fiancee.

Williams didn't deny he sent texts her lawyer made public Friday, but insisted he never has had suicidal thoughts and takes only medications prescribed by and dispensed by the Buffalo Bills.

"It's blown out of proportion," Williams said. "It's completely out of context."

By Tim Graham

Looks like former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Montell Owens, a two-time special-teams Pro Bowler, might be on the verge of joining the Buffalo Bills.

Owens, wearing Bills team-issued shorts, spent this morning watching practice at One Bills Drive.

The Bills have not made an announcement about an Owens signing. He does not appear on the updated roster as of the time of this posting.

By Tim Graham

The attorney for Mario Williams' ex-fiancee told The Buffalo News his client has no desire to tear down the Buffalo Bills defender, that Erin Marzouki's only objective is defending herself against nasty allegations meant to publically humiliate her.

I spoke with Tony Buzbee, attorney for Erin Marzouki, to clarify some of the elements to the case that have led many to wonder whether or not folks should be worried about Williams.

To recap: Williams sued Marzouki in Harris County, Texas, for the return of a 10.04-carat diamond engagement ring valued at $785,000; Williams said some rather unflattering things about Marzouki in the lawsuit; Marzouki responded with a court filing that didn't make Williams look too sweet; her attorney released a series of texts allegedly from Williams to Marzouki that say Williams was taking narcotics without anyone's knowledge and suggest he was having suicidal thoughts.

On that last point, the story moved from merely pulling back a curtain on the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history to a potentially serious situation that involves multiple front-burner issues facing pro sports, especially with the Junior Seau, Jovan Belcher and Derek Boogaard tragedies fresh in everyone's minds.

Buzbee, however, insisted this is no smear campaign. He said his job is to defend his client against a bully who swore under oath Marzouki is of lowdown character.

News Sports Columnists Bucky Gleason and Jerry Sullivan talk Buffalo football during Friday morning during their weekly live show. Watch highlights below.

On Buddy Nix's legacy

On Doug Whaley's vision

On Bills' needs

For more segments from the show, click here.

By Tim Graham

Mario Williams isn't much of a tweeter, but the Buffalo Bills edge-rusher posted messages tonight seemingly in response to the allegations set forth in a Houston Chronicle article.

The Chronicle reported the attorney representing Williams' ex-fiancee had released texts in which Williams mentions suicidal thoughts and taking narcotics without anyone's knowledge.

After tweeting once between July 23 and tonight, Williams posted several messages (through TwitLonger) from his verified account:

"The true character of someone is always revealed in times that we don't typically agree with. In these times it's how you respond and portray yourself to others that shows the ethics, character and true morals of a person. What's shown speaks for itself!

"I'm still here and always will be. I'm too strong for ridicule and the childish extremes those will do to try and taint a persons name when in reality you make me stronger, hungrier and more determined.

"I'm thankful to be so blessed that nothing said shall ever contest. I cherish what's been given to me, I cherish life and The Lord that allows me to breathe every breath. Most of all I'm thankful he showed me this is the season for revealing ones true character. Revealing the true person!"

By Tim Graham

Buffalo Bills pass-rusher Mario Williams mentioned committing suicide and taking narcotics -- and his ex-fiancee found the threat credible enough to plan an intervention -- the Houston Chronicle has reported.

The eyebrow-raising allegations were made by Erin Marzouki's attorney, Tony Buzbee, who released texts purportedly sent by Williams to Marzouki in November, when Williams was playing some of his best football for the Bills.

Williams is suing Marzouki for the return of a 10.04-carat diamond engagement ring estimated to be worth $785,000. A mediation hearing was held today, but the parties were unable to reach an agreement.

And the saga got uglier for Williams today.

By Tim Graham

Buffalo Bills fans may chuckle when they read this quote from former Buffalo Bills president Tom Donahoe about new General Manager Doug Whaley:

"I'm sure he'll do better with it than I did," Donahoe told USA Today reporter Jarrett Bell.

The Donahoe era in Buffalo was a catastrophe, and that's not entirely Donahoe's fault. Ralph Wilson fired him and, feeling burned, the owner's distrust in hiring another football man set the organization back for years.