Archives for September 2002

A defensive end from Notre Dame, 23 year-old Grant Irons signed with the Buffalo Bills as a rookie free agent. That meant he was the longest of longshots to make this team.

A total of 21 waiver claims were awarded to NFL teams Monday. The Bills pointed to the LB position. They picked up linebackers Maugaula Tuitele (New England) and Anthony Denman (Cleveland) and released Fred Jones and seventh-round choice Dominique Stevenson. The Bills replaced tackle Kris Farris with Mike Houghton, a sixth-round pick from the Packers. They also released LB Fred Jones. The Rams got Bills defensive end Bryce Fisher.’

‘McDonnell, who spent all of last season on the New York Giants’ injured-reserve list, was considered a long-term project when he signed with the Bills last February. He had one catch for nine yards in three preseason games with Buffalo last month.’

‘A potent attack will give Buffalo a shot at winning the close games the Bills lost last year, and the new No. 11 should find a way to get the final ledger to 7-9.’

‘"Every single situation we’ve put him in, all he’s done is make plays," Williams said. "So he deserves to get a chance to get in and make some plays for us in a real game."’

The Bills today announced that the team has signed the following players to the practice squad: Ahmad Brooks, Michael Early, Brady McDonnell, Rodney Wright

Breaking News… Rookie Coy Wire has earned the start at strong safety in the season opener against the Jets.

After missing the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, the Bills feel they have a group of players that can get them back into the playoffs. How do you think the Bills will finish in 2002? Place your vote.

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Show your Buffalo Bills pride and download the September wallpaper featuring quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe and the Bills will kick off the regular season at home on Sunday, September 8 against the NY Jets.

‘The Bills think Driver has more big-play ability than Tillman, and he fits their defensive system better. Tillman was drafted to be a center fielder in the zone-defense scheme of former Bills coach Wade Phillips, but the Bills don’t play that system any more.’

‘Though Cowart won’t say so publicly, he and Bills coach Gregg Williams didn’t see eye to eye. Williams, an old-school disciplinarian, was a dramatic change from the laid-back Wade Phillips, the Bills’ previous head coach, and his ways rubbed Cowart the wrong way.’

‘The Bills, however, saw more upside in going young, and chose fifth-round pick Justin Bannan of Colorado and second-year pros Ron Edwards and Tyrone Robertson as their defensive tackles, along with veteran Pat Williams.’

‘Among the other notables to make the team were two undrafted free agents, cornerback Jason Bostic, who proved a heavy hitter in preseason, and running back Joe Burns, who had 49 yards rushing on 15 carries last month.’

‘The Buffalo Bills cut 13 players and placed two others on the reserve-non-football injury list in order to trim their roster to the NFL maximum 53 players by Sunday’s 4 p.m. NFL deadline.’