Quotables: Andre Reed backs his Bills; Johnny Manziel gaining on Brian Hoyer
Andre Reed took time in his speech to reassure Bills fans about the future of their beloved team.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
-Hall of Fame receiver Andre Reed, talking about the Bills future
On Saturday night, former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Reed was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and used his speech to tell his story, but also to defend the city in which he played. Reed spoke about keeping the Bills in Buffalo, something that has been in doubt since the passing of original owner Ralph Wilson Jr. earlier this year.
Bills vs. Bon Jovi
Reed has been outspoken about not wanting rockstar Jon Bon Jovi’s Toronto-based group to buy the team, fearing it will be moved to Canada’s largest city, per the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Three bids have officially been put in for purchase of the Bills, including Bon Jovi’s, Donald Trump and the Buffalo favorite of Sabres owner, Terry Pegula.
Bon Jovi wrote an open letter to Bills fans in The Buffalo News over the weekend, but it has done little to sway public opinion in Western New York.
“We have tools to fix any problem a defense throws at us.”
-Giants running back Rashad Jennings, speaking about the offense's potential
The New York Giants won the first game of the 2014 NFL preseason, beating the Buffalo Bills 17-13 in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio on Sunday night. The contest was predictably ugly, with neither team generating much offense with the starters on the field.
Still, newly acquired running back Rashad Jennings believes the Giants have the talent to make noise with their offense this year, according to the New York Daily News. “I like this offense because we have tools,” Jennings said.
“I saw what you guys saw.”
-Browns head coach Mike Pettine, speaking about Johnny Manziel
Throughout the offseason, the Cleveland Browns have backed veteran Brian Hoyer as the starting quarterback over rookie Johnny Manziel. It appears head coach Mike Pettine might be considering a change in that decision, per Chris Wesseling.
Browns QB battle
“When camp began, Brian was the No. 1 because we had to have someone out there with the ones, but they were truly competing against each other,” Pettine explained. “At some point, we will mix the units. It’s all part of our evaluation process.”
Cleveland had a scrimmage on Saturday, in which Manziel was able to move the offense with both his arm and legs. The Browns will kick off their preseason schedule on Saturday against the Detroit Lions.
“As time goes by, that’s how I will be remembered -- as a Packer.”
-Former Packers quarterback Brett Favre, on being inducted into the team's Hall of Fame
The Green Bay Packers will make Brett Favre the next member of the team’s Hall of Fame, with induction coming during the 2014 season, per Favre’s website. Not surprisingly, Favre’s No. 4 will also be retired.
“It was a tremendous honor to play 16 years for the Green Bay Packers. Now to have my name placed among others such as Starr, Hornung, Kramer, Taylor, Lambeau, Nitschke, Lombardi, Davis, White and Hutson is a special honor that I share with all of my teammates and coaches, and that would not have been possible but for the foresight of Ron Wolf, the greatest GM in the history of the NFL,” Favre said in the statement.
Favre played from 1992-2008 with the Packers, winning three consecutive NFL MVP awards from 1996-98. Most importantly, Favre brought the Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown in 1996, beating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI. Favre is the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards (71,838) and touchdowns (508).
“I love it. I love every bit of it.”
-Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant, talking about a scuffle with safety J.J. Wilcox
On Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys practice got heated when second-year safety J.J. Wilcox drilled Dez Bryant going across the middle of the field. The hit led to Bryant getting off the ground and head-butting Wilcox, with the two parties taking their time to get separated. After the practice, Bryant talked about the moment, per Kevin Patra.
More Dez Bryant
Just in the heat of the moment, it got physical. It turned into like a real competition. I felt it. J.J. put a nice hit on me. He pissed me off, but at the end of the day, I loved it. I told him, ‘Keep it coming.’ Hopefully the rest of the guys on that defense - not only the defense, but the offense and the whole team - feed off of that. That’s what it takes to win. That’s what we need to win. You’ve got to have that passion and that love for the game”
Last year, Dallas finished with the worst defense in the NFL, allowing 415.3 yards per game. Wilcox finished his rookie year with 38 tackles and one fumble recovery.
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