Archives for August 2002

‘”We’re very confident. Everybody has the same mindset: “We’re not giving a back 100 yards.” Whether Cincinnati’s Corey Dillon, who finished seventh in the NFL in rushing last season, plays or not, Bills defenders believe there’s no better time than now to begin establishing a new reputation.’

‘The biggest worry, with the lack of depth, is injury. The Bills must stay relatively healthy to have a realistic shot at 9 or 10 wins, which may be optimistic based on last year’s 3-13 record.’

‘Despite his success in St. Louis, Jenkins saw his career take an unexpected turn when the Rams released him following their Super Bowl season. He spent a season in Denver, but was released by the Broncos after just six games last year, and finished the season with the Green Bay Packers.’

Quarterback Drew Bledsoe will play the first quarter, Alex Van Pelt will play the second quarter and Travis Brown will play the third quarter and most of the fourth before giving way to David Priestley for the final two drives or so, depending on the length of plays the offense accumulates throughout the game.

‘"I wanted out a year before that," he said, referring to when the Bills were weighing whether to keep him or Doug Flutie. "When they were dragging the process out, I called them and said, ‘Listen, I don’t want to be there. If this is that tough of a decision for you, let me go.’ But when they said they wanted to keep me, I wanted to be there."’

‘Based on his hard work in the offseason and a good showing early at St. John Fisher College, the Bills think Polk will be a quality backup to Keith Newman at strong side linebacker this season. Just as importantly, Polk is one of the leaders of the Bills special teams units.’

‘Tyrone Robertson will start at left end and Ron Edwards will start at left tackle against the Bengals. Robertson had worked at left tackle most of camp.’

‘That’s because nearly everyone at the table has a story to tell. This is a football-loving family, from Andy down to his sons Ryan, Aaron and Matt and from Bob to his son Bo. All of them are or were fine players, but Aaron upped the ante in 2001 when he was Buffalo’s second-round draft pick, becoming the first to play in the NFL.’

‘The last time the Cincinnati Bengals played a team led by a quarterback who snubbed them in free agency, there were fireworks. Not so this time.’

Buffalo Bills player with fan of the day.

This summer, Williams is taking a different approach at the Bills' St. John Fisher College camp. He has cut back on the number of two-a-day practices. He also has curtailed some of the physical contact and no longer makes his players run punishment laps for mistakes on the field.

Fletcher "Isn't this weather gorgeous? The temperature here is almost too good to be true! When it's 70 degrees out there, sometimes it gets hard to work up a sweat."

‘"He got his chance, he took advantage of it, and we’re happy he did," said Tom Modrak, the Bills’ assistant general manager who made a positive recommendation to general manager Tom Donahoe on Prioleau’s behalf. "I thought he had a good workout, and from there Tom pulled the trigger."’

‘"Football is definitely a love (of my family). My father played 10 years in the NFL and to follow in his footsteps is a dream come true. Now I want to pave my own way and make the most of this opportunity."’

‘While at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a degree in business management and information systems, Irons became close friends with investment wizard Warren Buffett, recognized as the world’s second-richest man.’