Archives for May 2002

‘Luring Robinson away from the Titans — they made him a similar $750,000 base-salary offer to stay — was a coup for Buffalo’s coaches. In Robinson, they landed a cerebral player who knows the complicated "46" scheme as well as they do, someone who can explain things to others in the huddle where they can’t be.’

‘Rochester-based Bausch & Lomb Inc., will be the new title sponsor of Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College.’

‘"When I was the player (representative) in Tampa, every year there was a big discussion about off-season workouts," Moore said. "It’s really impressive how far it’s gone. They are a ‘voluntary if you want to win’ kind of thing."”

Andy Hanacek, Associate editor

Pick: Buffalo Bills

We all know that picking Texas OT Mike Williams was a safe call, and the fact that it also filled a major need makes it a great pick for the Bills in my book. Picking Williams (and signing free-agent Trey Teague) allows them to shift last year?s rookie surprise, Jonas Jennings, inside to guard.

By the end of the Pete Carroll-era, Bledsoe seemed to be a 9-to-5 guy playing the game for the money and had no passion. He said Bledsoe was emotionless and a zombie at times. The source also said that very often in key situations, Bledsoe seemed to go almost brain dead.

His longest stint was with the Buffalo Bills (1998-2000), where he played well for the Bills in "nickel" and "dime" situations. Many observers felt he was among the best of the defensive backs in the Miami camp last summer, but he was nonetheless released before the start of the regular season.

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.’