Archives for June 2002

‘Next stop: preseason training camp starting July 24 at St. John Fisher College.’

A man who kidnapped former Buffalo Bill and LSU football star Raion Hill and stole his vehicle was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Earlier this week many of the Bills players participated in an autograph signing of items that will be sold for charity via NFL Auction, an online charity-based initiative of the NFL. The first five items from that signing will be available for fans to bid on starting tomorrow. They include a Drew Bledsoe signed helmet, an Eric Moulds autographed mini-helmet, a Mike Williams autographed panel football, a Keith Newman autographed mini-football and a Ruben Brown autographed authentic football.

‘“That process happened pretty quickly for me, really in a very short time that I started to feel like this is where I belong,” said Bledsoe, acquired by the Bills in a trade last April. “Would I have been as comfortable this quickly had I gone to another organization? I can’t say, but I don’t think so. This organization, this situation, this community, this team seems to be a good fit.”’

The Bills wrapped up their final day of organized team activity on Thursday with a 90-minute workout inside the fieldhouse in Orchard Park, NY. The next time the Bills take the field, the 42-year old franchise will be in Rochester, NY, for their third Training Camp at St. John Fisher College.

As the Bills near the end of their final organized team activity before training camp, players are beginning to focus on what they need to do individually to make the 53-man roster in August.

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‘Huntley played for Kevin Gilbride, the Bills’ new offensive coordinator, in Pittsburgh. It’s an advantage that has drastically eased Huntley’s transition – and he knows it.’

Good camp report.

Ostroski and Germany have minor knee surgeries. Ruben Brown injured his knee and due to that Sullivan and Hulsey are working with first unit.

Someone should tell Bryce Fisher to make sure Michael Early has his helmet off next time Fisher wants to throw hay-makers. Fisher and Early got into a heated battle during practice, but the loser had to be Fisher’s right hand. It appeared to land several times to the back of Early’s helmet.

Reporter Joel Buchsbaum, Tom Modrak’s #1 fan, likes this move.

I was on hand when Bledsoe was first introduced at One Bills Drive and was not overwhelmed by Drew’s charisma. However, after just one month I am impressed with the laid back, approachable demeanor of the new signal caller Bills’ players and fans are calling their leader.

Bryson had ingrown toenail removed and was sore on Monday but he was able to practice on the toe Tuesday, and got his reps in team work, but he is still sitting behind Henry, Morris, and Huntley, in that order, in the RB rotation. Last year’s backup RB appears to have slipped a couple of notches. But Bryson is handling it as he always has, like water off a duck’s back, “I’ve been in competition for the longest time. Even back at Tennessee. I guess it’s just another mountain to climb.”

Conspicuously absent from the discussion of scouting staff changes was Dwight Adams, the holdover vice president/player personnel who also has been conspicuously absent from this mini-camp.

The third annual Buffalo Bills Flag Football Tournament was a tremendous success. There were 50 teams that participated in this year's event, and teams traveled from Canada and Pennsylvania to get in on the action. The weather was beautiful on Saturday for regulation play and on Sunday for the playoff games.

”Well, the weather is bad and I’m kind of skeptical because the odds of finding somebody with the talent to move on at a place like that is, what, five hundred to one? But then Jon starts punting in the rain. With wet balls. And they’re going 50 … 60 … 70 yards. So, now I’m looking at him and I’m saying to myself, ‘Wow. This is a kicker.’ ”