Archives for June 2003

‘He was an All-American guard on the University of Michigan football team and a six-time all-pro lineman in the National Football League, playing 13 seasons and opening holes for O.J. Simpson when the Buffalo Bills star became the first professional player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season. After retiring from football, he moved into the front office of the Seattle Seahawks and experienced first-hand the lavish lifestyles of the rich and famous at NFL owner meetings. But McKenzie never forgot where he came from — the hard-scrabble neighborhoods of Highland Park and Detroit — or the youngsters who reminded him so much of himself.’

Position Battles: Reed wants to earn his starting assignment in training camp, but the job is already his-barring injury. The Bills brought in veteran Bobby Shaw and drafted Sam Aiken in the fourth round, but they will fall in line along with Charles Johnson at numbers three, four, and five. Shaw is the likely three, the role he played the last two seasons in Pittsburgh and Jacksonville.

The Buffalo Bills had the AFC’s fifth best performer in Travis Henry last season, yet they still drafted Willis McGahee, who won’t be ready for another year. The Bills may still need to add one more to the roster.

Buffalo Bills fans will have a double treat on Friday, June 13th when the team will have an open practice on the final day of its Organized Team Activity, weather permitting. Fans will also get their first glimpse of the new AstroPlay surface inside Ralph Wilson Stadium at this time. There is no charge for admittance.

Bucky Brooks, the former Bills WR, has taken a job as a scout with Carolina. He has scouted for Seattle the last three years. He’s a native of Raleigh, NC.

Akili Smith was cut by Cincinnati this week. In four years, he earned about $12 million, or $4 million per victory. Not bad, but not quite as good as Rob Johnson, who got $18.8 million in four years with the Bills.

‘Gregg Williams is the cloud hanging over all those high expectations. The Bills don’t even pretend he isn’t. They didn’t offer him an extension to his first contract. It expires in January. When he’s done, he’s done unless he produces his end of the bargain. My guess is that Williams will have to steer the Bills to the playoffs, possibly even at least one playoff victory, to stick around Buffalo.’

‘The Bills will make the final practice of their "minicamp" sessions open to the public Friday. Gates 2 and 3 at Ralph Wilson Stadium will open at 10 a.m. Practice will start at 10:30 a.m. and end at 12:15 p.m. Admission to the workout, which the NFL calls an organized team activity, is free. It also will be the fans’ first chance to see the new AstroPlay surface inside the stadium.’

‘Donahoe said the Bills will look to add an offensive linemen and possibly a defensive lineman before camp starts July 23.’

‘How concerned are the Buffalo Bills that rookie running back Willis McGahee will try to overdo it in his zeal to return from reconstructive knee surgery? Enough that they will send some of the team’s medical staff to Miami twice in the month between the end of the team’s current minicamp and the opening of training camp next month.’

‘”He’s a big guy and has a great arm,” Van Pelt said. “The only thing he’s lacking is the experience. The more you get to play the more you feel comfortable. He’ll get the chance to step in there and do it with live bullets. He definitely has all the skills.”‘

‘"Defensive wise we did bring in some guys that can make a huge impact. Change? I don’t think we’re going to change too much. I think we have great players. I think it was evident toward the end of last season when we started playing a lot better. What we are really doing is just trying to build on what we have. I think you’re going to see a very noticeable difference this next year on defense. We are going to have a really good defense."’

‘What restaurant has the best wings in Buffalo in your opinion?

“Oh boy, I don’t know. I have only been to the Anchor Bar.”‘

After nine exciting and competitive weeks, the World Bowl race will go down to the wire as three teams scrap it out in Week 10 to determine who will meet the Frankfurt Galaxy in the NFL Europe League championship game in Glasgow on Saturday June 14.

Mohegan Wolves FB/LB AKEIFF STAPLES won’t be traveling with the team to Rochester (NY) this Saturday. Instead, the 6-2, 245-pound rookie from Temple will be heading a little farther west to Buffalo to work out for the Buffalo Bills.

McKenzie’s ankle is well. Says he is AMAZED at how hard everyone ESPECIALLY the veterans are working in minicamp. You can’t help but feel the excitement and anticipation.