Archives for April 2003

‘”I don’t think it’s ever been detrimental in football to have depth and competition. For the people who are in personnel, that’s our job, to get as many good football players at as many positions as we can.” He concluded, “That (competition) sorts itself out. Sometimes it’s because of injuries and sometimes it sorts itself out as far as what a player can or can’t do. Some players rise to the occasion in a competitive situation … and some don’t.”‘

The Bills today announced that the team has agreed to terms with 10 undrafted college free agents.
Gary Byrd, OT, Clemson;

Jon Dorenbas, LS, UTEP;

Jerton Evans, S, Virginia;

Anthony Floyd, S, Louisville;

Ken Hilliard, CB. TCU;

Paris Jackson, WR, Utah;

Jason Johnson, QB, Arizona;

Jerel Myers, WR, LSU;

Justin Sands, OT, Kansas;

Randy Thomas, TE, Wake Forest

It’s a business, a tough business. Maybe they figure since you were the 58th pick in 2001, and if they can get 3,600 yards in three years out of you, and turn that into, say, the seventh player in 2004, they’re making a great investment. Those are lots of maybes, but that’s the only way this thing makes any sense to me at all.

General manager Tom Donahoe is one of the best in the business, but taking McGahee will be a decision that might haunt him. They re-grouped nicely to take Kelsay in the second round to help the pass rush.

It’s a good thing the Bills didn’t need a lot of immediate help because they didn’t get much. The team pulled the surprise of the draft by selecting running back Willis McGahee in the first round. This was a questionable selection

‘Even Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. said Sunday he had no idea the Bills would take McGahee until "about a half-hour before we made the pick."’

‘It should make for a heck of a race. The Bills are better, but they’re not alone. Miami didn’t have much of a draft, but it signed linebacker Junior Seau to play alongside Zach Thomas. The Dolphins allowed the fewest points in the conference last season and they’re the best defense in the AFC East until someone proves differently.’

‘Aiken’s NFL stock began to rise at the Senior Bowl. He had a great week of practice, showing he could get open against the best college cornerbacks. His strong week culminated in a six-catch, 69-yard outing that earned him offensive MVP honors for the South team.’

‘"I was in bed," he said during a conference call. "I heard the phone ring so I didn’t get to watch it on TV. I was happy. I didn’t really expect it."’

‘[Q:] In what round do you think you will be picked? [A:] I’ve heard as early as late in the third round. But I think a lot of teams have me fourth through sixth. My agent says that he’s had guys rated fourth through sixth before and some of them end up in the second round and some of them have ended up as free agents.’

‘Sobieski missed all of 1999 after having shoulder surgery. He sat out the next season following an operation on his other shoulder. Sobieski saw limited action in 2001. He was bothered by hamstring and neck injuries.’

‘The cell phone rings, and Kelsay moves forward in his seat. It’s the Bills, they’re on the clock, and they want Kelsay. They say they like his motor. Kelsay responds with a rapid series of, "Yes sirs." Five minutes later, he hangs up and lets out a deep sigh. "I’m a Buffalo Bill."’

‘For now, I’m figuring Donahoe will put together something McGahee would accept that fits the Bills’ short- and long-term needs. I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt. He deserves it.’

‘" Even on tape," said St. Louis Rams special teams coach Bobby April, "it’s clear the guy is amazing. He’s the best I’ve seen this year. And he might be the best in a lot of years, maybe among the top guys I’ve ever seen. I know we won’t take him, because we used a draft pick (in 2002) on our snapper (Chris Massey), and he’s excellent. But I’ll tell you, Dorenbos is something else, he really is, man."’