East Notes: Jets, Bills, Spiller, McClain, Giants

There’s no quarterback controversy in Cortland, New York, and that makes the Jets rather happy, writes Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. Guard Willie Colon admitted that the Geno SmithMark Sanchez talk made things “tense” for Gang Green last season, but Michael Vick has helped the club avoid that tension by declaring that he’s only there to be the backup to Smith. “Mike is a leader and a motivator, and he supports Geno,” Colon said. “Geno understands he’s the guy. We all believe in him.” More from the AFC and NFC East..

  • Bills GM Doug Whaley shot down speculation of running back C.J. Spiller being on the trade block but, then again, he took a similar tone regarding trade rumors surrounding wide receiver Steve Johnson after last season, writes Tim Graham of The Buffalo News. When asked about a possible Johnson trade at the wrap-up conference, Whaley said he was “amazed” and “taken aback by the question.” The wide receiver was traded in May.
  • An educated source once involved in the Bills sales process tells Tim Graham of the Buffalo News (on Twitter) that the team is “[Terry] Pegula‘s to lose” and Bon Jovi group is “unfocused and disorganized.” That same source says the Bills will be in Western New York “for a very, very long time whether they get a new stadium or not” (link).
  • Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain says that he’s over the animosity that once existed between him and Raiders coach Dennis Allen, writes David Moore of the Dallas News. “We’re both grown men,’’ said McClain, who hopes to push Justin Durant for the starting job at middle linebacker in Dallas. “At the end of the day, things get hot. But, I mean, we’re both grown men and we respect each other.”
  • Safety Antrel Rolle likes the look of the Giants‘ rebuilt secondary, which includes newcomers Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Walter Thurmond, writes Bob Glauber of Newsday. “I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen thus far,” Rolle said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of areas to clean up and fine-tune, cut down on a lot of penalties, especially in the defensive backfield. But overall, I think we’ve been doing a great job of keeping a team out of the end zone, which is always our No. 1 priority. So far, so good.”
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