Archives for April 2003

‘Shaun O’Hara, who could be the Browns’ center in 2003, spent Tuesday in Buffalo visiting the Bills. It’s not known how much interest the Bills have in O’Hara, but their right guard, Marques Sullivan, is not entrenched. O’Hara started 13 games at right guard for the Browns in 2002 and three games at center when Dave Wohlabaugh was injured. The Bills would have to complete a deal by April 18. After that date, restricted free agents become exclusive property of their former team.’

‘"We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and how each other reacts, which helps," said Winfield. "We had that familiarity with each other before so when Nate got here last year we picked up right where we left off. We didn’t have to learn to react to each other."’

‘The greatest thing was the closeness of the team. The guys were very, very close. To this day, I still get together with Ron McDole, Jim Dunaway and George Flint every year. Sometimes, a couple times a year," said Kindig. "It was just a bunch of great guys up there."’

‘It contains five linebackers, four offensive linemen, three defensive linemen, three running backs, three tight ends, three wide receivers, two quarterbacks, a defensive back and a special teams star.’

‘The award was established to recognize individuals that exemplify characteristics of the late Knox, including dedication to community, being active in humanitarian causes, support of the arts and humility. Wilson founded the Buffalo Bills Youth Foundation in 1987 and has been a supporter of food banks in the Western New York area, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the Ronald McDonald House, and the United Way.’

‘"Jim came into Fredonia (N.Y.) in a limo," Hull recalled. "And I went in there in the back of an equipment truck. I was sitting on a pile of helmets, footballs and jocks. There were helicopters following the limo, people hanging over the overpasses on the highway. It was 49 miles from Buffalo to Fredonia. I couldn’t see any of it. The guy who was driving the truck told me about it."’

‘Every game I was the first one in the lockerroom and the last one to leave. On that day, I looked over and Scott Norwood was sitting on the bench, still fully dressed in his uniform, and he was weeping. I told him I wasn’t leaving until he left, and that it wasn’t his fault. That was a 47-yard field goal on grass for someone used to kicking on turf. It was a very tough kick. I told him, ‘If I had done a better job, then maybe it would have been a 37-yarder, now get in the shower.'”‘

‘It’s the middle of the football offseason, so that means activity is at a lull at One Bills Drive right? Wrong!’

‘Every time Hull overcame an obstacle in his football career, his wife, Kay, was by his side. "There are a lot of ups and downs in athletics, especially on the pro level, so the support that I got from Kay was so important. It took somebody strong like her to keep me going when things got tough…I wouldn’t be receiving this honor today if it weren’t for her. I have been lucky to have a strong woman behind me and understanding children."’

‘The Leflore County Board of Supervisors honored former All-Pro Buffalo Bills center Kent Hull with a resolution Monday. The tribute came after Hull was inducted Friday into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. Last year, the Bills organization put the Leflore County native on its Wall of Fame.’

His agent, Frank Murtha, indicated the Lions, Buffalo and Jacksonville have expressed interest in signing Gary.

The Chargers re-signed kicker Steve Christie, one of the most prolific kickers in NFL history, to a one-year deal on Monday. The bulk of his career was spent in Buffalo, where he played for eight seasons (1992-2000). During his time in Buffalo, he became the Bills’ all-time leader in career points and field goals.

Nearly one year later, here's a look back at the Bills' draft class of 2002, including a recap of their rookie-year contributions and a thought about where each player fits into the team's current plans.

The Bills primary objective this off-season was to upgrade a defense that ranked last in the NFL in takeaways, 27th in points allowed and 29th against the run.

The coaching staff is addressing ways to cut down on the number of sacks allowed last season – 54, fourth most in the NFL. OC Kevin Gilbride, though, isn’t lying awake nights. He’s put the onus on QB Drew Bledsoe. “Some of that falls to him, getting rid of the ball and not trying to show his manhood every play,” Gilbride said.