Archives for April 24, 2002

Gregg Williams: "It's been amazing all week long how the pep in the step of everybody has been around here from the offseason workouts to selling tickets to having meetings. He's put a pep in everybody's step."

‘”It’s nice to be wanted,” Bledsoe said Wednesday at his first appearance as a member of the Bills, three days after Buffalo acquired him in a trade with New England. “To have some of that showered on us as we were coming into town — yeah, it feels very good.”‘

‘The Buffalo Bills released safety Raion Hill and kicker Shayne Graham, while also bolstering their lineup by signing 12 undrafted free agents.’

The seven-year veteran had played his entire previous career with the Buffalo Bills but was released earlier this spring for salary cap reasons.

‘[Jamarei] Bryant was contacted by several other teams, including Arizona, Chicago, Green Bay and Jacksonville. He said he picked Buffalo because he thought it was his best chance to make a team. It couldn’t hurt that Bryant’s agent is friends with Bills secondary coach Pat Thomas.’

"I am a long-time Pats fan and will continue to remain one, but I am looking forward to seeing Drew stick it to them this year and for years to come. In this day and age of everything being business oriented, I am proud to say I am following a player because of the character he has."

The news filtered through the Fleet Center stands during the Celtics game. There was a suddenness to it, a finality, a coldness. We were like kids in high school who just found out somebody had been expelled. You hear about Bledsoe? And the word spread, and it spread, and by the end of the game, probably everyone knew. Bledsoe was gone.

‘"I think you’re always motivated to play at the highest possible level, and that won’t change," he said. "This is a great opportunity for me to be a starting player again and resume my career. I get to do it in a terrific setting. It’s a great opportunity to show I’m at the top of my game. And I want that more than anything."’

‘"He told Ralph Wilson to send the Buffalo Bills stuff to him so his kids could wear it."’

‘Now, with free-agent signings that bolstered Buffalo’s depth chart at linebacker, kicker, tight end, on the offensive line and in the return game, along with this year’s draft choices, Donahoe has already remade the Bills into a team that will bear little resemblance to last year’s 3-13 disaster, regardless of what their new uniforms look like.’

‘The Bills are anticipating around 100 members of the media, including a large contingent from the Boston area, to cover the event that will take place in the field house. ESPN News and Empire Sports Network plan live coverage of the news conference at approximately 2 p.m.’

‘Fans of the 3-13 team have been energized by the deal; they flooded the Bills with season-ticket inquiries the day of the trade, which caused the team to keep the box office open through the night.’

‘Drew Bledsoe will receive a hero’s welcome today in Buffalo, as the Bills will hold a rally for the former Patriots quarterback in front of the team’s administrative offices in Orchard, Park, N.Y.’

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Alexander earned offensive honors for his role in the Frankfurt Galaxy’s 54-14 win over the F.C. Barcelona Dragons. Alexander rushed for a league season-high 192 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries.