Jeff's Blog
Jeff joined Channel 7 in 2003 as a sports anchor/reporter and was promoted to Sports Director in December 2007. A native of Rochester, Jeff was excited to get back to Western New York after serving as Sports Director and anchor for the ABC affiliate in Kearney, Nebraska, where he was honored with the Associated Press award for “Top Sportscast” in the state. He was also the recipient of six Nebraska Associated Press Awards in his time there.
After graduating from SUNY Fredonia in 1997, Jeff got his start in broadcasting in Jamestown, NY as a sportscaster and reporter for Time Warner Cable Channel 8 from 1998-2001.
In addition to being Channel 7’s Sports Director, he is also a contributor to the “Bills All Access” program and can be seen on the Jumbotron at Ralph Wilson Stadium hosting the halftime highlight show during Buffalo Bills Home games.
Jeff is recently married and he and his wife currently make their home in Buffalo. When he’s not working, Jeff likes to play basketball, jog and of course, relax at home.
Pittsford (WKBW.com) Bills wide receiver David Nelson was in attendance, but did not participate in the teams afternoon walk through on Sunday. Nelson walked onto the field with a noticeable limp a day after suffering an injury to his right knee. Nelson left the workout early with a trainer and did not provide an update on his status.
Bills Tackle Eric Pears was also a spectator on Sunday afternoon. Pears was held out of Saturday's workout after aggravating a groin injury.
Bills Defensive End Shawne Merriman did take part in the Bills walk through. Merriman missed practice on Saturday after rolling an ankle on Friday afternoon.
Defensive Tackle Torell Troup was not in attendance on Sunday.
Meanwhile center Eric Wood says he believes his knee is close to 100 percent. The Bills have been taking it slowly with Wood as he continues his comeback from ACL surgery. Wood said Sunday he is targeting next week for a return to team drills. Wood has been working out in individual drills here at training camp.
The Bills hit the field later tonight for the first night practice of training camp. RB Fred Jackson called the workout "one of our favorite practices". Fans need a ticket, the event is sold out. We will have highlights of the first night practice of training camp on EWN at 11.
Bills Tackle Eric Pears was also a spectator on Sunday afternoon. Pears was held out of Saturday's workout after aggravating a groin injury.
Bills Defensive End Shawne Merriman did take part in the Bills walk through. Merriman missed practice on Saturday after rolling an ankle on Friday afternoon.
Defensive Tackle Torell Troup was not in attendance on Sunday.
Meanwhile center Eric Wood says he believes his knee is close to 100 percent. The Bills have been taking it slowly with Wood as he continues his comeback from ACL surgery. Wood said Sunday he is targeting next week for a return to team drills. Wood has been working out in individual drills here at training camp.
The Bills hit the field later tonight for the first night practice of training camp. RB Fred Jackson called the workout "one of our favorite practices". Fans need a ticket, the event is sold out. We will have highlights of the first night practice of training camp on EWN at 11.
Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick hits the field with his teammates at training camp.
Pittsford (WKBW.com) It was only a walk-through but Bills Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick found it difficult to temper his enthusiasm. Fitzpatrick was all smiles as he hit the field here at St. John Fisher College on Thursday morning."It is good to be back just to get everything started.", said Fitzpatrick .
"I love training camp. I love getting away. Being able to kind of put normal life aside for a little bit and getting here being able to focus one-hundred percent on football. I think this team is ready."
Key off season additions have raised the bar for Fitzpatrick and the Bills. The quarterback says he's ready to tackle the increased expectations, and shoulder the pressure with a new season on the horizon.
"I love it. If I did not love it I do not think I would play the position of QB. That is why we do it. I want all of the pressure to fall on me so the other guys can just go out there and play. Me being one of the older guys in the huddle, especially with our skill players, I love taking the pressure. It takes it off of them. They are able to just go out there and play. My shoulders are big enough for that and that is something that I enjoy.", said Fitzpatrick.
Like the Bills, Fitzpatrick will try and bounce back from an up and down 2011 season. The quarterback finished with 3,382 yards passing , 24 touchdowns and 23 interceptions in 2011.
I have a ton of belief in myself. The self confidence is something that is huge at the QB position. I am ready to go out there and play. I have proved it. I have showed it. I have played well in stretches. Although, I think consistency is the big thing.
Some other notes from the first walk through at camp-
-Stevie Johnson says he will be full go for the first practice this afternoon. The wide receiver says he's at 90+ percent coming off of groin surgery this off-season. He was limited for most of OTAs and mini-camp
-DB Terrence McGee says he's not 100 percent but will practice here later today. The veteran corner is coming off of surgery to his patella tendon.
-In the "If you are keeping track at home" category - Chris Hairston was working with the first team offense at left tackle Thursday morning.
Jeff Russo and Stephon Gilmore sit down for an interview
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. ( WKBW ) Eyewitness Sports Director Jeff Russo sat down with Stephon Gilmore, the newest Buffalo Bill selected in the draft Thursday night.Watch for the interview with Channel 7's Eyewitness Sports, your Official Station of the Buffalo Bills.
Jeff Russo and Shawn Stepner will have complete coverage all weekend on wkbw.com; Facebook; Twitter; and Channel 7!
Season features a Thursday night home game against Miami. Eyewitness Sports Director Jeff Russo has the schedule. WKBW is Your Official Station Of The Buffalo Bills
ORCHARD PARK, NY – (WKBW.com/Bills) The Buffalo Bills today announced the team’s 2012 schedule.Buffalo’s 2012 regular season schedule features a Kickoff Weekend match-up at the New York Jets, a Thursday Night home game against the Miami Dolphins on November 15th, and a December 16th meeting vs. the Seattle Seahawks in Toronto’s Rogers Centre.
The full 2012 Buffalo Bills schedule is available below:
2012 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
Sunday, Sept. 9 at New York Jets 1:00 PM CBS
Sunday, Sept. 16 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 1:00 PM CBS
Sunday, Sept. 23 at Cleveland Browns 1:00 PM CBS
Sunday, Sept. 30 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 1:00 PM CBS
Sunday, Oct. 7 at San Francisco 49ers 4:15 PM CBS
Sunday, Oct. 14 at Arizona Cardinals 4:05 PM CBS
Sunday, Oct. 21 TENNESSEE TITANS 1:00 PM CBS
Sunday, Oct. 28 BYE WEEK
Sunday, Nov. 4 at Houston Texans 1:00 PM CBS
Sunday, Nov. 11 at New England Patriots 1:00 PM CBS
Thursday, Nov. 15 MIAMI DOLPHINS 8:20 PM NFL NETWORK
Sunday, Nov. 25 at Indianapolis Colts 1:00 PM* CBS
Sunday, Dec. 2 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 1:00 PM* CBS
Sunday, Dec. 9 ST. LOUIS RAMS 1:00 PM* FOX
Sunday, Dec. 16 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (TORONTO) 4:05 PM* FOX
Sunday, Dec. 23 at Miami Dolphins 1:00 PM* CBS
Sunday, Dec. 30 NEW YORK JETS 1:00 PM* CBS
Below is a list of highlights for the 2012 home schedule:
Kansas City Chiefs: 22-17-1 All-Time Record (11-5-1 At Home) Buffalo will host Kansas City in its 2012 regular season home debut in Week Two. The two teams will meet for the fifth consecutive year with the Chiefs traveling to Buffalo for the first time since 2005 (W, 14-3). The Bills have defeated the Chiefs in three of their previous four match-ups. Buffalo has outscored Kansas City by an average of 30-15 in each of the last four meetings.
New England: 41-61-1 All-Time Record (22-28-1 At Home) The Bills ended a nine-year losing streak to the Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium last year, coming back from a 21-0 deficit to win 34-31 on a Rian Lindell field goal as time expired. With a win against New England on September 30th, Buffalo will have won home games in back-to-back seasons against the Patriots for the first time since 1998-99.
Tennessee: 14-26 All-Time Record (8-13 At Home) Tennessee will travel to Ralph Wilson Stadium for the second straight season as Buffalo will look to snap a four-game losing streak against the Titans on October 21st.
Miami: 36-55-1 All-Time Record (21-25 At Home) Buffalo will host Miami on Thursday Night Football at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 15th. The Bills and Dolphins have split their 12 previous primetime meetings at six games each. Miami last traveled to Buffalo for a primetime contest in 1984.
Jacksonville: 5-5 All-Time Record (2-3 At Home) Buffalo and Jacksonville will square off for the 11th time in regular season history and the sixth time in the previous seven seasons (2006-10, including five straight years) in Week 13. Both teams have won five of the 10 previous contests.
St. Louis: 6-4 All-Time Record (4-2 At Home) The Bills and Rams will face off on December 9th for the 11th time in the regular season. Buffalo holds a 6-4 record vs. St. Louis, including a 4-2 mark at home. The Bills have won each of their previous two meetings against the Rams (2004 and 2008).
Seattle: 5-6 All-Time Record (2-1 At Home) Buffalo will host Seattle in Toronto’s Rogers Centre on December 16th. The Bills and Seahawks will meet for the 12th time in the regular season as Buffalo will look to extend their two-game winning streak against Seattle (2004 and 2008).
NY Jets: 53-49 All-Time Record (28-23 At Home) The Bills will host the Jets in their 2012 regular season finale on December 30th. Buffalo has defeated New York in 28 of their 51 home meetings. Buffalo last defeated New York at home during the 2007 season (9/30, 17-14).
Below is a list of highlights for the 2012 road schedule:
NY Jets: 53-49 All-Time Record (25-26 On the Road) The Bills will kick off the 2012 regular season at the New York Jets. The two teams have met on Kickoff Weekend 10 other times, including the first game in Bills history on September 11, 1960.
Cleveland: 6-10 All-Time Record (3-5 On the Road) Buffalo will make their shortest road trip of the 2012 season on September 23rd when they travel to Cleveland (193 miles). The Browns hold a 10-6 record in the regular season series, including a 5-3 mark at home.
San Francisco: 5-5 All-Time Record (3-3 On the Road) For the first time since 2004, Buffalo will travel to San Francisco for a Week Five contest. The Bills and 49ers have split their 10-game regular season series at five games each, as well as the previous six contests in San Francisco at three each.
Arizona: 5- All-Time Record (2-3 On the Road) The Bills and Cardinals will meet for the tenth time in the regular season on October 14th. Buffalo holds a 5-4 record in the regular season tilt against Arizona and will look to improve to 3-3 on the road at the Cardinals.
Houston: 3-2 All-Time Record (2-0 On the Road) Buffalo will look to improve to 3-0 on the road against Houston in their regular season series in Week Nine. DE Mario Williams will make his first appearance in Houston since signing with Buffalo this offseason. The Bills and Texans will meet for the sixth time in 2012.
New England: 41-61-1 All-Time Record (19-33 On the Road) Buffalo and New England have met every season since 1960, both at home and on the road. The Bills will look for the first win against the Patriots on the road since the 2000 season (11/5, 16-13).
Indianapolis: 35-30-1 All-Time Record (14-17-1 On the Road) Buffalo will make its regular season debut at Lucas Oil Stadium in 2012 and travel to Indianapolis for the first time since 2006 (L, 16-17). The Colts hosted the Bills in the first game played at their new facility in the 2008 preseason. Buffalo holds a 35-30-1 all-time regular season record against Indianapolis (14-17-1 on the road).
Miami: 36-55-1 All-Time Record (15-30-1 On the Road) Buffalo has faced Miami annually since 1966 at home and on the road. The Dolphins hold a 30-15-1 advantage i home games against the Bills.
TICKET INFORMATION FOR 2012 GAMES: Season tickets for 2012 are on sale now online through Buffalobills.com, by phone at 1-877-BB-TICKS (228-4257), or in person by visiting the Bills ticket office at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Sports Director Jeff Russo has the latest.
Buffalo (WKBW.com) The Buffalo Bills jumped right into the deep end on day one of the NFL's free agency period. The team hosted two big name free agents for visits on Tuesday. Both DE Mario Williams and WR Robert Meachem flew to Buffalo to meet with Bills officials, and had dinner in the downtown area.Apparently Meachem didn't like what the Bills had to offer. Just hours after wrapping up his dinner meeting with Bills officials, Meachem signed a 4-year deal with the San Diego Chargers. ESPN is reporting the new deal will pay him $25.9 million dollars. Meachem had 40 catches and 6 TD's for the New Orleans Saints in 2011.
The Bills are also awaiting on word on Williams. Jason LaCanfora of the NFL Network reported late Tuesday evening that Williams was not expected to sign with the team immediately after the meeting. LaCanfora reported that Williams wanted to take his time with the rest of the visit, and was scheduled to meet with at least one other NFL team later in the week.
Williams is considered the top defensive player available in free agency this year. The former first round pick of the Houston Texans is a two-time All-pro and has 53.5 sacks in his first 82 games.
Williams flew into Buffalo shortly after 6pm, and then joined Bills officials including GM Buddy Nix, CEO Russ Brandon and Head Coach Chan Gailey at a downtown restaurant for dinner. Bills defensive lineman Kyle Williams was also on hand for the meal.
The dinner meeting continued until shortly after 10pm. Bills CEO Russ Brandon had no official comment for cameras outside the restaurant. Bills defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt was asked by a group of fans how the meeting went with Williams and replied "Good, very good".
It was expected that Williams would continue his visit on Wednesday.
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