Archives for March 2003

‘“I know I said last week that I want to just smell the playoffs,” Spikes said Wednesday in his first public appearance as a Bill. “Let me correct that. I do want to smell the playoffs. But I want to bite the Super Bowl.”’

"Yes and they should be. I don't think that it will be any question with guys here. Just talking to some of them in passing. We want to win. I know I said early last week I just wanted to smell the playoffs but let me correct that. I do want to smell the playoffs but I want to bite the Super Bowl. Everybody is talking about the Super Bowl and now there is no reason that we shouldn't be making a run for it."

Takeo, who was introduced at press conferemce, holds up his #51 jersey. He formerly wore #55 but that number is worn by Eddie Robinson.

The addition of Stubblefield, a three-time Pro Bowl performer, provides the Raiders with a veteran insurance policy in the event starter Sam Adams does not return to the club. Adams was released by the Raiders last month for cap purposes, has visited with other teams, and seems to be focused in on a deal with the Buffalo Bills.

Newman reunites with former coach Phillips

Bills LB Keith Newman chose to return to the defensive system he learned from his former head coach when he selected Falcons over Texans. Wade Phillips, the former Bills HC, turned around the Falcons defense last year as its DC. Newman agreed to an incentive laden three-year, $3.4 million contract. The contract can be voided into a two-year deal. Based on his playing time, there are incentives in the contract that could add around $800,000 a year early in the deal. The Bills replaced Newman by signing Texans LB Jeff Posey and Bengals LB Takeo Spikes. Newman was considered one of the better 3-4 outside LBs available in free agency. The Texans and Falcons are 3-4 teams.

MarTay Jenkins’ visit with the Buffalo Bills is on hold until Thursday. Jenkins is now scheduled to arrive in Buffalo on Wednesday night and will meet with the team on Thursday. Jenkins is one of the league’s top kick returners and is also developing as a solid receiver.

The franchising of Price was pure brilliance by general manager Tom Donahoe.

Recently-acquired LB Takeo Spikes has arrived in Buffalo. Spikes will be officially introduced as the newest member of the Buffalo Bills at 3:15 PM this afternoon. Listen to the press conference live on buffalobills.com. After his press conference, Spikes will read through some of the emails he's received. Here's your chance to send him a question or comment and welcome him to Buffalo.

From 1975 until late in the ’84 campaign, Freeman was in on a lot of plays. And in fact, did not miss a game. A 144-game streak. However, during a November game against New England, he suffered a ruptured thigh muscle. The Bills lost that afternoon to go 0-11, but it never crossed Freeman’s mind to let the injury heal properly and finish the disappointing season on the sideline.

‘ The Buffalo Bills took a look at two more free agents Tuesday, bringing in running back Moe Williams and defensive tackle Henry Ford. Arizona Cardinals wide receiver/kicker returner MarTay Jenkins is scheduled to visit today.’

‘”I just want to go somewhere where I can make a difference and make plays,” Dyson said. “Buffalo has a Hall of Fame quarterback and he looks for his receivers to make plays, so to have an opportunity like that would be something I would definitely look forward to.”‘

‘In essence, the Bills dropped nine spots in the first round – the No. 14 they sent to the Patriots compared to the No. 23 they acquired from the Falcons – and traded a receiver to land a franchise quarterback in Bledsoe. On the surface, it’s an outstanding deal for the Bills. Scratch the surface, and it’s even more impressive.’

As the NFL continues its’ “trade renaissance,” one deal has stood above the rest and will impact two teams greatly in 2003. While the Falcons hope their latest move makes them “peerless,” the Bills selected a new route for their receiving corps.

Look for the Bills to readjust their offensive focus to a more defensive-friendly scheme that places greater emphasis on the run and includes higher-percentage, ball-control passing. And look for their defense to give the offense more favorable field position by turning up the heat against quarterbacks, such as Tom Brady of the New England Patriots and Chad Pennington of the Jets, that often made producing big plays against Buffalo look a bit too easy.

The best example of how to control the market and get full value for a star player even when he’s out of contract was the Buffalo Bills’ handling of WR Peerless Price . Bills GM Tom Donahoe was not about to let a talented young receiver just go free and sign with a new team. He decided to put a franchise tag on him and force teams interested in Price to come forward and surrender a high draft pick for the right to sign him. Atlanta surfaced and eventually gave the Bills the 23rd pick in the first round for the rights to Price. The Bills got value for a player they could have easily kept on their roster. As one GM said to me, "I would have kept Price on my roster with Drew Bledsoe under center, but it was a masterful job by Donahoe of getting great value for him." Teams flirting with Price tried to get away with offering the Bills a second-round pick, but Donahoe held his ground and got what he wanted.