‘Buffalo Bills rookies Marques Sullivan, bottom left, Randall Cummins, background center, and Josh Lind catch their breath after doing sprints on the first day of mini camp Friday, April 27, 2001, in Orchard Park, N.Y.’
Archives for April 2001
One fan’s reaction to mini-camp
‘I watched the Bills practice yesterday in the fieldhouse. The Bills are doing drills that I’ve never seen before. There was one play that took my breath away when the defensive player took the receiver to the turf rolling over a couple of times. They both bounced up, then I read the numbers…”
Buffalo Bills roster as of Saturday
Names and jersey assignments as of this past weekend.
Williams files upbeat progress report from minicamp
‘"I wouldn’t say it was a great three days, but it was a pretty good three days," Williams said as workouts for veterans and rookies ended Sunday at Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse. "We have a better understanding about how we want to practice. It’s not completely the way we want to practice yet, but the tempo is excellent."’
Slate clean for Hicks
‘The fourth-year offensive tackle seemed to be on the fast track to stardom with the Buffalo Bills after a solid first year as a starter in 1999. But he quickly fell out of favor with the coaching staff last season and eventually lost his job to Marcus Spriggs. Even undrafted free agent Jon Carman was taking snaps from Hicks toward the end of the year.’
Is Spoon 2nd coming of Spielman?
‘Like Spielman, Spoon has the short hair, a set of biceps so big you are forced to check for valve stems, an all-business attitude and one of those "You-talking-to-me?" stares.’
Changes amaze Christie
‘"It’s a whole new team," said Christie, noting the 34 new faces on the roster and the almost entirely new coaching staff.’
Centers an upgrade for Bills at fullback
‘Centers vs. Jonathan Linton as starting fullback is a no-brainer unless Centers has a negative we’re not aware of.’
Rookie looks like a Spielman clone
‘The Buffalo Bills weren’t necessarily in the market for a middle linebacker during the NFL draft, but when Chris Spielman’s clone was there for the taking, they didn’t think twice.’
Several sophomores expected to break out in 2001
‘Rookie coach Gregg Williams wants more speed in his Buffalo Bills defense, and free safety Travares Tillman could provide that element plus some blitzing ability. Tillman started the final four games of the regular season in place of the injured Keion Carpenter a year ago. It won’t be an upset if Carpenter doesn’t get his job back.’
A. Smith gets second chance
‘Judge (who is a good judge of character, excuse the pun) thinks he’ll be Buffalo’s starting back this year.’
If the Bills were truly Bill’s
‘I always wondered why the Bills were called the Bills, if most of the players on the team weren’t actually named “Bill” (or William). So, I have outlined which players SHOULD be on the Bills for the 2001 season.’
Robertson taken by Bills after 1 year at Hinds
‘Robertson transferred to Hinds for academic reasons in 2000 and collected 38 solo tackles, 22 assists, nine sacks and nine other tackles for a loss as the Eagles rode a dominant defense to an 11-1 finish and a state championship.’
Catawba players taking their shot at NFL
‘"Hey man, I’m a Bill," Peterson gushed. "Yeah, man! A Bill! I’m a Buffalo Bill!" It was a bit overwhelming for a kid from Clinton, N.C. who didn’t even play his first season of football until his junior season in high school.’
Peterson to Bills; Lockhart to Jaguars
‘When the last of the 246 picks was called, Peterson found himself in a recruiting war as a free agent between Miami and Buffalo. He said he was leaning toward Miami and the warm weather until talking with his agent, Joe Linta…"Miami had five defensive tackles on the roster and they were only keeping five. Buffalo has only two defensive tackles. So that was our best bet."’