Archives for July 31, 2002

Fletcher: Greetings from the 2002 Buffalo Bills Bausch & Lomb Training Camp! Camp is in full swing as we've been through a couple days of practices now and things are really starting to pick up.

I was nervous about my first camp. I got there and suddenly saw all these stars I had watched on TV. Jim Otto, the Hall of Fame center who wore "00" on his jersey, probably made the most lasting impression on me. I used to watch Jim Otto snap the ball on punts without even looking back — I thought that was amazing. Then to get out there and see his leadership on the field. He's leading the group, guys are making fun of him, he's making fun of the guys. That was neat.

‘"When you get a true professional like Mike Hollis, you’re at a big advantage," said Bills special teams coordinator Danny Smith. "With his experience, his expertise in kicking, it just helps our whole football team. It helps young special teams player to have confidence in a guy like that who’s been there."’

On Saturday, August 3 buffalobills.com will stream LIVE VIDEO of the sold out scrimmage between the Cleveland Browns and the Buffalo Bills held at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, NY.

‘"As an opponent for nine years I know one thing – the Buffalo Bills have the best fans in the NFL," Bledsoe told the crowd from the reviewing stand.’

With the 2002 Buffalo Bills Bausch & Lomb Training Camp in full swing, several Buffalo Bills players and personnel are scheduled to appear on local and national TV and radio shows. Here's a quick run down on where and when to hear from the Bills.

Canton, get ready for a new standard for well wishing. A Kelly Invasion is coming. On Aug. 3, when Jim Kelly joins the Hall of Fame, about 1,200 people will be seated in an area reserved for Kelly's family and friends on the field in Fawcett.

‘Office did not play Division I college football. He wasn’t drafted by the NFL. He got cut by the Bills at the end of preseason last summer. Yet as the Bills begin training camp, Office is penciled in – for now – as the starter at left defensive end.’

‘Coach Gregg Williams understands the need to get the ball to his two best athletes on offense. That’s why he hired Gilbride, who knows how to put players in position to make big plays.’

‘A judge Tuesday dismissed a year-old lawsuit by street vendors trying to revive their game-day businesses outside Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park.’

‘"It’s a sad deal," veteran guard Jerry Ostroski said. "I had to deal with my father battling prostate cancer and thank God he’s OK. But I can understand what John’s wife and little girl are going through. I wish them all the best. If there is one guy who can beat this, it is John Butler because he is one tough SOB."’

‘The Marine who saw combat duty in Vietnam, vowed to battle his illness that has a 15 percent survival rate with the support of friends and his family, which includes wife Alice and teenage daughter Andrea.’

‘"It’s a great feeling to have a guy who has confidence and who has experience," Smith said. "Mike will help our football team from his leadership, his experience and the quality person and player he is. And he’ll help our young punter (Brian Moorman) to show him how to be a true pro."’

‘"Even though the majority of the people were rooting against Drew and the Patriots, I always loved my trips there because it always was my picture of what the NFL is supposed to be all about," Mac said. "Those fans know their football. They even cheer the offensive linemen for making good blocks. In most places, the fans don’t even know who their offensive linemen are."’

‘"Bringing (Mike) Williams in was a big key. All these years, we never took a big offensive lineman in the draft. Getting Bledsoe was a great move, but you win or lose games in the trenches."’