Archives for April 2002

‘Other features of the partnership includes Tops sponsoring a family section at Ralph Wilson Stadium as well as an interactive "Game Day Experience" in the team’s fieldhouse before each Bills home game. Admission to the "Game Day Experience," which previously cost $5, will be free.’

@ They have entered into a multi-year ticket distribution partnership. Under the terms of the agreement, Tickets.com will facilitate ticket sales for Buffalo Bills single game tickets, and additionally all concerts and events occurring at their home venue, Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Even Sam Cowart scratched his head when it came to figuring some of the decisions of the Bills management:

"Why should I be 80 percent on the line of scrimmage when I just went to the Pro Bowl for playing off the ball? That’s what I didn’t understand. I was like, ‘Did you look at any film on me?’ It’s like taking [Bills wide receiver] Eric Moulds and telling him, ‘This year we need you at tight end.’ "

The buzz is they also would give up their first-round pick (the last in the round), as well as another high pick, possibly their second-rounder. The Bills, however, have shown no interest in giving up their first-rounder. Their idea of a good deal was giving up the fourth pick in the second round for Bledsoe while getting the Patriots’ second-round pick in return.

Dave (Buffalo, NY): Many people have the Bills trading down, staying pat and taking Mike Williams or Ryan Sims or Roy Willams. Your thoughts of where the Bills will end up and with which player.

Tom Hepler: (2:28 PM ET ) We think they will stay pat and take Sims. Harrington will probably be gone .. if not, they should take him. To trade up, you really have to give up a lot to get that high in the draft and not many teams are willing to do that, or have what it takes to do that.

Tops and the Bills have created a new family section for all home games. Fans will be able to purchase the Tops Family Corner four-pack of tickets at a discounted price of $120, a savings of 30% off the regular individual game price. This offer marks the first time ever that fans will have the opportunity to purchase individual regular season game tickets at a discounted price.

@ It’s all about the franchise, especially at QB. I’m of the belief that when you can get a potential franchise-making player, you pull out all the stops to get that guy, especially when it fills a big need on your team.

The author also thought the Bills should have stuck with the often-injured RJ.

The Bills finally are getting around to considering Harrington because of their failure to make a Drew Bledsoe trade and their inability to convince Jeff Blake into taking their offer. Taking Harrington, though, would be a reach for the Bills because he isn’t one of the team’s top five choices.

‘Who could’ve/would’ve figured that Bledsoe, five seasons after Jim Kelly retired and in the same year Kelly gets inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton just might become the Bills’ new franchise QB? It hasn’t happened yet, and it might not happen at all, but what a turn of events that would be for the Bills and what a marketing coup it could be.’

‘Donahoe has jockeyed around in draft-day deals in seven of the nine drafts he has overseen.’

‘The Bills have three home dates in December and if the team is losing, there won’t be a steady pilgrimage from the Tonawandas to see Alex Van Pelt lead the way.’

‘Will Donahoe come away with nothing? Will he have to opt for journeyman Jeff Blake? Take a chance on a young kid such as Joey Harrington? Now there’s word through Fred Edelstein’s newsletter that his sources indicate the Oakland Raiders may enter the Bledsoe sweepstakes.’

‘This reportedly is the tack the Patriots are taking with Drew Bledsoe. Buffalo and Cincinnati are very interested, but the Patriots have put a gag order on their veteran quarterback. ”How do we know if he wants to play for us if we don’t get a chance to talk to him?” said a key member of one of those organizations.’

‘This is a hunch: In the second round of the draft, Buffalo is going to make a call to the Patriots with an offer to take Drew Bledsoe off their hands for the Bills second-round pick this year and a conditional No. 1 next year.’

‘[Gil] Bellows, who plays the backup quarterback who leads the Buffalo Bills to a Super Bowl victory in the TNT movie, "Second String," told me at the Final Four in Atlanta that the film is now expected to air this September before the start of the NFL season.’