Archives for May 2003

‘The cost of the new surface was not disclosed but it will be paid for by Erie County under terms the Bills stadium lease. Installation is to be completed by summer.’

‘"The immediate response from our coaches and players was that AstroPlay® was more comfortable to stand/play on," added Donahoe. "And, a key element in the Bills’ climate, AstroPlay®’s rubber infill didn’t freeze this past winter."’

Here are but a few examples of the hundreds of fields installed:

Buffalo Bills – Practice Facility

University of Arkansas – War Memorial Stadium

Boise State University – Humanitarian Bowl

University of Illinois – Memorial Stadium

University of Kansas – Memorial Stadium

United States Military Academy – Michie Stadium

‘In a poll by the NFL Players Association that asked players which stadium has the best playing surface in the league, Ralph Wilson Stadium was ranked second-to-last (29 out of 31) stadiums.’

‘"The players and coaches loved it (AstroPlay)," said Buffalo Bills President and General Manager Tom Donahoe. He said the team’s two most important factors in choosing a field surface were safety and performance under adverse weather conditions.’

‘"We have opted not to renew Dwight’s contract," team President and General Manager Tom Donahoe said in a statement. "We have decided to head into another direction, but we thank Dwight for his years of service in the Bills’ organization and wish him the best of luck in the future."’

‘”Thurman had played his entire senior season,” Polian said. “In his case, it was the fact he was missing part of a ligament in his knee discovered during the physical exams. It never had an effect on how he played but everyone simply got cold feet. There is some parallel here but I can’t recall anyone injuring himself as badly as McGahee then being drafted as high as he was. Having said that, he certainly warrants the pick.”‘

‘He played a key role in Donahoe’s first draft in 2001 that brought aboard five current starters. Adams assumed a lesser role after the arrival of assistant GM Tom Modrak and pro personnel director John Guy.’

‘And that’s where Henry comes in. It is he — not McGahee — who will determine how effective Buffalo will run the ball, and a year ago he was good enough to rush for 1,438 yards and 13 touchdowns and be named to the Pro Bowl. But while that is impressive, this is not: Buffalo ranked 24th in rushing, and Henry was one of the league’s most unpredictable backs.’

‘"It gives us another guy to compete," head coach Steve Mariucci said. "He is a veteran and he has been a good player in this league. He is a good special teams player. He has some size to him. You like to have corners with some size to them. They don’t all have to have size, but it is good to add another one who has that."’

‘Adams played a key role in overseeing the Bills’ draft as player personnel director under former general manager John Butler. Adams’ role and influence was reduced after Butler was dismissed and replaced by current team president-GM Tom Donahoe in January 2001.’

The Bills will not renew the contract of Vice President of Player Personnel Dwight Adams. The writing was on the wall when he did not make an appearance during the Bills NFL draft.

Adams spent 12 seasons with the Bills. He was known for his little sayings like "He plays like his hair’s on fire."

For the fifth straight year Buffalo drafted at least one defensive lineman. Including this year's pair (Chris Kelsay & Lauvale Sape), the Bills have selected more defensive linemen (160) than any other position in the team's history: Offensive linemen (132), running back (111), defensive backs (101), linebacker (76).

‘”There are other places I could have signed, but I felt comfortable here. I know they got good players here already, but I know what a difference good coaching can do for you.”‘

Subscription required for rest of article

‘"They’re not that much different than us; there’s not much separating Tampa Bay from us," Irons says. "I thought to myself, ‘Why can’t the Buffalo Bills be here competing for the Super Bowl championship? Why not us?’ They started out in training camp doing two-a-days and playing preseason games, just like we did. From that perspective, it gives you a lot of hope and motivation to make it each and every day."’