Archives for April 2003

‘In preparing for this weekend’s 68th NFL college draft, Buffalo culled the knowledge and connections of a 13-person personnel staff that boasts a grand total of 236 years in the league — 154 of them spent finding talent for the Bills.’

‘"We’re not sure what we’ll do at this point," said Donahoe, who recouped a first-round pick by trading wide receiver Peerless Price to Atlanta. "But whatever we do has to make sense for us."’

‘"Every city you go to the people say, "Our fans are the best in the country,’ " Wilson said. "But I’ve been all over the country. This market is the second smallest in size in the league, but it’s No. 1 in passion for the football team."’

”’Anywhere I go in Buffalo, having been here for so long, people recognize me,” Wilson said. ”I think after these years, it speaks for itself.”’

The Bills today announced that the team has officially signed free agent running back Olandis Gary.

‘Buffalo Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. will be presented the Seymour Knox III Humanitarian of the Year Award by WBEN-News Radio 930 and the Amherst Chamber of Commerce at a dinner at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in downtown Buffalo on Thursday, April 24.’

‘The Buffalo Bills would like to congratulate Chad Smith of North Tonawada, NY as the winner of the JetBlue Airways Draft Day Fly Away Promotion. Chad and his wife Laura will be traveling to New York this weekend to see the NFL Draft live.’

‘[Q:] Rumors are saying that you’ve bulked up a lot in the offseason what do you say to that? [A:] "I’ve been working out hard. That’s one thing that I didn’t do last year after the combine. Between the combine and the draft last year I wasn’t really doing much. I was on pins and needles. Where this year, already in the first part of January I started working out again and getting into shape. I have bulked up a little bit. I’m looking forward to this year."’

2003 NFL Draft: Mock Draft Picks

Ken Simonton will get a second chance to record history this week when the Claymores face the Berlin Thunder, the team that Simonton scored a record-tying 4 rushing touchdowns against in Week 1. Since that game, Simonton has only scored one touchdown but should be able to return to his winning ways against the worst defense in the league.

‘"The way it looks to us," Donahoe said, "there will be a significant run on the defensive linemen. So a guy or two we thought might be there a month ago might not be there now. This draft is top-heavy in defensive linemen, but short in other areas."’

‘Unlike most of the seven other four-team divisions, there isn’t a weak link in the AFC East.’

‘”You don’t zero in on a position. We always don’t,” Modrak said. “But it’s even more acute now. We’re going to take a good player.”‘

Upcoming interviews scheduled.

Very alert and instinctive athlete with above average agility, balance and body control…Shows toughness and aggression in his demeanor, doing a very good job with his hands and keeping his feet moving through the line to gain penetration…Shows explosion off the snap and turns to get up-field in a hurry.