Archives for August 19, 2002

Important dates in Buffalo Bills history

Away games are a little different from home games. I have to pack two uniforms and make sure that I have all my necessary toiletries along with my Walkman for the plane ride and pre-game in the locker room. Being on the road, we have to adjust to sharing a room and sleeping in a different bed.

‘"When London said he was leaving the Rams, I said, ‘I’m going where ever you go, London,"’ said Ahanotu, impressed by how Fletcher quarterbacked the Rams defense. "I didn’t think it would happen. But here I am. … I was watching. It was in the back of my brain of why I might come to Buffalo."’

‘I have looked forward to visiting Buffalo ever since I met Scooter almost two decades ago, and he immediately began raving about his hometown. He has long driven me nuts by naming every athlete who ever played or lived in the city, and when I finally reached the Queen City this weekend and met his family, I found out where he gets it from. They’re even more like Scooter than Scooter is.’

‘"He is super excited," said Ahanotu’s agent, Scott Langley. "The Bills are a storied franchise and he wants to help them."’

St. John Fisher College – The Bills today announced that the team has signed defensive end Chidi Ahanotu (pronounced CHEE-dee uh-HAHN-uh-too).

Defensive end Chidi Ahanotu has signed with the team and is expected to be available for the Monday afternoon practice session. The agreement is a one-year deal.

He is a 6-foot-3, 310-pound Cinderella…a Cinderella story that is. Sixth year pro Pat Williams has elevated himself from an undrafted rookie free agent in 1997 to a key member of the 2002 Bills team defense. Working his way through the trenches known as the defensive line he is making his presence known.

Fullback Larry Centers on his 2002 teammates.

‘Here’s how some of the young free agents are doing as the Bills enter the final week of training camp at St. John Fisher College…’

‘He’s no All-Pro, he’s no superstar, but you don’t last 10 years in the NFL without having done a few things well along the way, and that’s why the Buffalo Bills are thrilled they were able to re-sign Price last Friday.’

‘Henry is reveling in the fact that Bledsoe is here, and Rob Johnson isn’t.’

‘"I was at the opening (preseason) game and Drew Bledsoe really took charge. He got right up after that first sack and took them right down the field. You wouldn’t have seen that with Rob (Johnson) last year."’

‘"We’re so young there," said Bills team president Tom Donahoe. "Although we like a lot of our guys, Shawn gives us some experience. He did a good job for us last year, when he played hurt. Ahanotu wanted a couple of days to think about our offer, and we’ll probably get his decision the early part of next week."’