Archives for February 2002

The Bills today announced that the team has signed three free agents: cornerback Jason Bostic, center Michael Early, and defensive tackle DeVonte Peterson.

Coordinators are being hired to run a "system" even if the team’s personnel doesn’t fit. The Bills tried the West Coast way in 2001 even though QB Rob Johnson will never be mistaken for the prototype West Coast QB. The result was miserable. They gained decent yardage, but on third down and in the red zone, they flopped. With a new OC for 2002, you had better not mention WCO in Buffalo anymore.

"I want the Bills’ offense," says GM Tom Donahoe. "I don’t like systems. Too many guys are wedded to a system, and they run it come hell or high water even if the personnel doesn’t fit it. Good coaching is putting your players in positions where they have a chance to be successful. And I don’t see that happening enough in this league. The problem with the WCO is, unless you have Steve Young and Jerry Rice, it’s not going to be the same."

The Buffalo Bills website has a new full year wallpaper desktop calendar with a pigskin theme by TBD contributor Gina ‘Moose’ Mustico.

Our own Buffalo Jill, Erin, will represent Western New York and the Bills in the 2002 Pro Bowl which will take place in Honolulu Hawaii on Feb. 9, 2002.

‘One hurdle the Bills face in selling the opening is the question of job security.’

Buffalo Bills cornerback Antoine Winfield said he violated NCAA rules by accepting gifts from an agent while he played at Ohio State, according to published reports.

‘Antoine Winfield’s story is one that should give every new NFL hotshot heartburn…[Winfield’s agent Dunyasha Mon Yetts] cheated Winfield out of $1.35 million…Yetts lost about $30,000 playing craps at Winfield’s house in Buffalo.’

‘Winfield said his former agent, Dunyasha Mon Yetts, gave him cash, trips to the Bahamas and Las Vegas, suits valued at $1,500 and Ohio State football tickets that he resold for profit.’

‘However, five of the seven [offensive coordinator] candidates have been eliminated without even coming to Buffalo for an interview.’

‘Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements has been the only candidate to interview in person for the Bills’ position, left open after Mike Sheppard was fired last month. Former Steelers offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride and former San Diego coach Mike Riley discussed the job with the Bills, but only over the phone. Riley has since joined the New Orleans Saints as assistant head coach and secondary coach.’

The Buffalo Bills Alumni Association will be hosting a luncheon this Friday, February 8 at 11:00 AM for the representatives of the charitable organizations that received donations from the Alumni Foundation this past year.

‘Bills fans should look at New England’s win over the Rams and take comfort and confidence in it. Why? Because it’s just further evidence that in today’s NFL, teams can go from the bottom to the top in quick fashion and the Patriots are just the most recent (and most obvious) example.’

‘Jim Kelly’s football career began in East Brady. It’s winding up in Canton, Ohio.’

‘"I decided to pull out of it," Ramsdell said Monday evening after the Rams had returned to St. Louis. "I talked to Gregg [Williams] about it and said that basically the best thing for me and my family after talking about it was to stay here. That’s kind of the bottom line of it."’

‘Every successful version of the West Coast, from Joe Montana’s 49ers to Donovan McNabb’s Philadelphia Eagles, has one thing in common — a quick-thinking, accurate-throwing quarterback. If you could hang Rob Johnson’s arm from Alex Van Pelt’s shoulder, you’d have the ideal quarterback for the offense. But you can’t and you don’t. And if you don’t, you’d better find a new way to move the football. As Bills fans learned this year, the West Coast can be just as ugly as any other offense when you lack the proper point man.’