Archives for April 2003

Great worker in the weight room with good speed and quickness…Stays on his feet and uses his hands effectively to defeat low blocks getting through traffic…Has .good recovery speed and the range to get deep in his pass drops…Shows good short area ball awareness running with the tight ends and tailbacks in the underneath routes…Has the natural hands needed for the interception

Since 1967, the first year of a combined AFL-NFL draft, the Bills have had the top-overall selection four times. O.J. Simpson (’69) is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Bruce Smith (’85), when, or if, he ever retires, will certainly join him in the gridiron shrine. Tom Cousineau (’79) opted to play for the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL, and never stepped foot on a field for Buffalo. His NFL rights were later traded to Cleveland. And then there’s Walt Patulski. The No. 1 pick in 1972.

‘"Two years ago when we started, we were just trying to get picks and get as many as we could because we were trying to fill up the roster. Last year it was a little different. This year, it’s a little different and probably next year it will be a little different. But our job is to be prepared. We want to be prepared so that no matter what happens Saturday and Sunday we can react to it and we’re prepared to react to it."’

‘The event featuring the former Buffalo Bills coach, a member of the Pro Football hall of Fame, will include music from the Jamestown High School marching band, fun events, and a celebration of cancer survival. Levy will sign autographs after his presentation.’

‘”It’s what we see on tape that really counts, what we think of him as a football player, what his character is, his intelligence,” Modrak said, explaining what’s important to the Bills’ brain trust when they are sizing up prospective draft choices.’

Three weeks ago, SportsLine.com gave Tom Donahoe, Gregg Williams, Tom Modrak and company the top spot of our offseason grades. They had no first-round pick and could not pay two receivers Eric Moulds money. They had the guts to franchise Price, then shop him for a No. 1. They found their dance partner in Atlanta and the Bills are back in the first-round derby.

Grading the impact of an NFL draft is a tricky business, particularly before the prospects have yet to report to their first minicamp. But you can be assured that on Monday morning following each and every NFL Draft, various media outlets across the country will share their thoughts on how teams fared.

Now a full-year later, here's a look back at how Buffalo's 2002 Draft was graded.

Gary played in 13 games and made two starts (vs. St. L., 9/8 and at S.F., 9/15), rushing for 147 yds. on 37 carries (4.0) with a long of 26 and one touchdown, while catching 18 passes for 148 yds. (8.2) with a long of 19. He was declared inactive for the season finale vs. Ariz. (12/29).

‘ Buffalo Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson will be presented the Seymour H. Knox III Humanitarian of the Year Award at a dinner Thursday night in the Adam’s Mark Hotel. The Amherst Chamber of Commerce and Entercom Communications are hosts for the second annual event.’

‘Gary is the 11th veteran player added by the Bills this offseason.’

‘Of the 22 players picked in 2001 and 2002, 19 made the final 53-man roster and one made the practice squad in his rookie year. Eighteen played at least one regular-season game; the group totaled 98 man-games started in its respective inaugural seasons; and 18 of those players are still with the team.’

‘The Buffalo Bills should soon have a quality backup for running back Travis Henry.’

‘Gary and the Bills reached agreement Monday on a two-year deal that included a $175,000 signing bonus and enough makable incentives to earn the running back up to $3 million the next two seasons.’

‘Last season, Gary rushed 37 times for 147 yards and one touchdown and caught 18 passes for 148 yards. He figured to be a third option, at best, in Denver this season behind Portis, the 2002 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Mike Anderson, who won that honor in 2000.’

‘Selected in the fourth round of the 1999 draft by Denver, Gary has rushed for 1,614 yards in his career. As a rookie, he started 12 games and gained 1,159 yards and seven touchdowns on 276 carries. He missed the following two seasons due to injury.’