Archives for May 8, 2002

On two tight end sets: "The strong points of Coach Gilbride's offense is his ability to mold the offense to his personnel so we'll see how it goes. I would like to be a big part of it but we all have to try to win ball games so we'll see how it's going to unfold."

A member of two conference championship teams, McKenzie was drafted in the second round of the National Football League draft by the Buffalo Bills following graduation in 1972. He played a total of 12 seasons in the NFL, 11 of which were spent with the Bills.

‘"I just wanted to come over here and play well," he said. "I’m just glad that the Buffalo Bills have given me the chance to do this with them signing me and sending me over here. I want to show them what I can do and what I have to offer."’

‘But in a Mother’s Day special that aired Saturday and repeats at 3:30 p.m. Thursday on ESPN, Drew’s mom, Barbara, describes her All-American oldest boy in adoring terms.’

‘Roth appeared to be on his way to a fullback job with the Bills under then-coach Wade Phillips, but Phillips was then fired and, after a training-camp injury, Roth was later cut by new Bills coach Gregg Williams prior to the 2001 season. ”Sure he was discouraged,” Roth’s father said of being let go by the Bills. ”The other coaching staff almost promised him a fullback job. Then he went to training camp and got hurt, so they let him go.”’

‘McKenzie, a consensus All-America in 1971, later starred for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL, where he blocked for O. J. Simpson on a line called the Electric Company. He spent 11 of his 12 NFL seasons with Buffalo.’

‘Reggie McKenzie, who was an All-America guard at Michigan, will be among 13 players and two coaches inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this year.’

‘Fullback Josh Roth impressed the Chiefs enough in a tryout at the weekend minicamp that the club signed him to a two-year contract. Roth received plenty of work in practice Tuesday. He and fullback Paul Shields were the only healthy running backs.’

‘Offensive linemen Reggie McKenzie (Michigan 1969-71) and Jerry Sisemore (Texas 1970-72) as well as defensive back Randy Rhino (Georgia Tech 1972-74) and linebacker Gary Spani (Kansas State 1974-77) also were chosen.’

‘Brady said he and Bledsoe have exchanged voicemail messages since the trade. “We’ve both been running around,” Brady said. “It’s kind of tough to find all the time in the world to talk. I know he’s doing well. I know he’s excited about being in Buffalo, from the things I’ve read.”‘

Who was helped – WLB DaShon Polk & TE Brady McDonnell. Who was hurt – G Jon Carman.

He has deep speed, quarterback Drew Bledsoe loves to throw the deep ball, and coordinator Kevin Gilbride is one of the few in the NFL who will challenge down the field.

The Bills’ top two RBs are Travis Henry and Shawn Bryson but there are rumblings the coaching staff isn’t completely sold on that combination and wouldn’t mind upgrading the competition.

(Curtis) Alexander figures into the mix, but should former Atlanta Falcon star Jamal Anderson become a post-June 1 cap casualty, the Bills will take a peek at signing him if he came cheap. Anderson has battled a series of knee injuries.

Another name that has surfaced in connection with Buffalo is Duce Staley of Philadelphia.