Archives for June 11, 2003

‘A native of nearby Cheektowaga, Lance Cpl. Eric Orlowski was one of the Iraq war’s first casualties, killed March 22 when a .50-caliber machine gun accidentally misfired. So it was a bittersweet memory when members of Bravo Company, 8th tank battalion, attended Bills practice Wednesday.’

Sape (whose name pronounced "la-VAH-lay sah-PAY) was a mainstay on the defensive line in his last two years at nose guard for Utah, where he started 14 of 35 career games. Last season, Sape was an All-Mountain West Conference second-team selection after starting every game at nose guard.

The oldest living NFL player begins another story. This one is about visiting the Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse recently. There he met Gregg Williams and gave insight to the Bills coach about how the game was before agents, salary caps, ball control and even the wishbone offense.’

‘What Cota feared was spending mini camp and training camp in Buffalo and then getting cut before the season started in early September. The Bills were offering Cota the minimum salary for an eight-year veteran, believed to be more than $600,000, but he would collect virtually none of it if he were released.’

‘It has been 20 years since he last played for the Bills, but Cater still has a job that requires him to work on Sundays. He is now the pastor of the Fairview Baptist Church in Rome, Ga.’

‘"I was just watching it in the air the whole time and I saw Carlton out of the side of my eye. I thought if we both go for it, one of us is going to drop it. So I just put my hands in the air and moved back from it. I followed him in (to the endzone). That was the difference. That was a huge play. But I wish I would have caught it and been on ‘Good Morning America’ and get a little bit higher of a salary sooner," Wright laughed.’

‘Cota has not officially filed his retirement papers with the league. His agent said he is considering doing so.’

‘Dickerson, who shared the afternoon time slot with Mike Schopp last season after Schopp moved over from rival sports station WNSA, originally was supposed to take the winter and summer off and return in the fall in time for the National Football League season. Ried said the station decided against bringing back the Coach and disrupting the afternoon show that has been hosted by Schopp alone since Dickerson left for Florida.’

‘Riemersma, who had been asked to take a pay cut in Buffalo, said he wasn’t disappointed that he had to leave the Bills after a productive 10-year career. “I left a great owner (Ralph Wilson), a great organization. There have been a lot of changes there the last two years, and I don’t necessarily consider them changes for the better. It was just my time to leave and I sensed that and I’m actually happy the way things turned out. They got a new GM in there. I got along well with (former GM) John Butler. I didn’t necessarily see eye to eye with some of the things that took place there in the last few years. We left amicably with ownership, and really, that’s all I cared about.”‘

Editor’s Note: Riemersma has played is in his 9th NFL season

Paul Tagliabue better watch out, Bills DT Sam Adams is grooming for his job. Adams, the colorful veteran signed by Buffalo this offseason, was named commissioner of the North American Football League recently. The league consists of 102 semi-pro teams nationwide. Adams owns the Eastside Hawks, located near Seattle, who finished 9-2 last season. “It’s awesome and really fun,” Adams said. “When you have guys who are hungry just to play, it’s nice to see. I have guys 18 to 50 years old on my team.”

‘The 31-year-old Cota, who agreed to terms, but did not sign an official contract with Buffalo last Thursday, spoke with Bills head coach Gregg Williams over the weekend about the decision.’

‘Selected 127th overall in April’s draft, Aiken was the first of Buffalo’s eight draft picks to sign. He’s expected to compete for the team’s fifth receiver spot with Charles Johnson and James Jett, the former Oakland Raider who signed with the Bills last week.’