Toronto Bills Blog

The Bills have signed second round draft pick Cordy Glenn.  The 6 – 6, 345 pound offensive tackle was taken 41st overall.  He started 50 college games at Georgia.  His deal follows last week’s signing of first rounder Stephon Gilmore.  Only third round pick T J Graham remains unsigned.

Mark Zuckerberg will take Facebook public today in the much anticipated IPO. We wonder whether the Bills will be as successful. Zuckerberg, the Harvard-trained whiz kid who founded Facebook in his college dormitory room, will end the day as one of the wealthiest people on the planet. His shares in the Social Network giant are expected to soar to $20 billion or more. Let’s hope the euphoria rubs off on another Harvard prodigy, Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. He was recently honored by the Western New York Harvard Club as Man of the Year. Fitzpatrick is undoubtedly one of the brightest players in the NFL. He was named Ivy League MVP during his junior season. Like Zuckerberg, he has a robust bank account. Last October he signed a 6 year contract extension worth $59 million. Both have followed meteoric pathways to fame. If Fitzpatrick is even partially as successful, the Bills fortunes will be bright.

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The Bills have signed first-round draft pick Stephon Gilmore to a $12 million, 4 year deal. All the money is reportedly guaranteed. Gilmore had 181 career tackles in college, with 8 interceptions and 7 sacks. The South Carolina cornerback was a 2 time All-SEC honoree. Buffalo has now signed 7 of its 9 picks. Only Cordy Glenn and T J Graham have contracts pending. Coach Chan Gailey commented on Gilmore’s performance during rookie training camp: “He did great. He is a big, long corner that can run and has a great feel for the game. He did a very good job during the weekend.”

Negotiations are underway to extend the Bills Toronto Series. The current deal expires at the end of this season. NFL representative Michael Signora announced in an email yesterday that the Series will be discussed by the league’s international committee later this month. The agreement will reportedly run for 5 years and feature one regular season game per season at the Rogers Centre in addition to 2 preseason games over the life of the pact. The Series is part of the Bills effort to regionalize their franchise brand. 15 percent of season ticket holders now come from Southern Ontario. The Series is seen as the prelude to the eventual sale of the team to Toronto interests when 93 year old owner Ralph Wilson passes on.

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan Chase, has kept his job. In the aftermath of a stunning $2 billion loss at the bank from derivative trading gone sour, he beat back a shareholder resolution at the company’s annual meeting to strip him of his position. We wonder whether Bills head coach Chan Gailey will be as lucky. Gailey has proven himself to be a weak and ineffectual leader. His teams have posted back-to-back losing seasons. Owner Ralph Wilson has made a habit of pulling the plug on coaching mistakes after 2 – 3 years. Gailey is likely headed for the exits.

Buffalo native Rob Gronkowski has turned 23. The sensational New England tight end was born on Mother’s Day. He planned a special tribute to his remarkable mom, Diane Gronkowski, who nurtured his athletic career. Growing up in suburban Williamsville, Gronk and his 4 brothers, Gordie, Dan, Chris and Glenn were shuttled to practices by their loving mother who was always in the stands to see their games. Such support enabled them to become the only trio of brothers playing in the NFL. They are a credit to their family and the Western New York community they still consider home.

Former general manager Bill Polian will be enshrined in the Bills Wall of Fame. He becomes the 28th recipient of the team’s highest honor. Hired by Ralph Wilson in 1985, he guided the club during the Super Bowl glory years. He is credited with signing Hall of Famers Jim Kelly and Marv Levy. After being dismissed by Buffalo in 1992 he joined Indianapolis, leading the Colts to 11 seasons with 10 or more wins. Polian is the only 6 time NFL Executive of the Year. He was fired by the Colts after last season’s dismal 2 – 14 performance. He now works in television broadcasting. Wilson commented on his friend’s accolade: “Bill was the architect of our Super Bowl teams which made four consecutive appearances, a feat that may never be duplicated. I think it’s fantastic that the Wall of Fame Committee has recognized the importance of his role with that historic time in our franchise’s history.”

Free agent quarterback Vince Young has signed with the Bills. His one year deal is reportedly worth $2 million. Drafted third overall by the Titans in 2006, he was offensive rookie of the year. Young has 8,964 career yards passing and 1,459 yards rushing. He has 46 touchdowns in the air and 12 rushing. He has also thrown 51 interceptions. General manager Buddy Nix reaffirmed that Ryan Fitzpatrick is the starter. Young will compete for backup along with the returning Tyler Thigpen.

The Bills have signed 6 rookies in time for minicamp which opens today. They are fourth round draft picks Ron Brooks and Nigel Bradham, fifth rounders Tank Carder and Zebrie Sanders, sixth rounder Mark Asper, and John Potter from the seventh round. That leaves the first, second, and third round picks unsigned, including cornerback Stephon Gilmore, taken tenth overall. They are expected to participate in minicamp after executing injury waivers. The term of the rookie contracts is believed to be 4 years.