Archives for June 2003

‘"I don’t really hold any chips," Simonton said. "The NFL is so fickle. I don’t know. How much comfort can you really take in this (season), you know? I came here, and I played hard, and that’s what I wanted to do. (Buffalo is) going to have to make the decision on what they want to do. I just wanted to win. This is the only season I can control. I still can’t control how they feel about me. I still feel like I fit in Buffalo as much as any other place. I’ve never been scared of competition. I don’t worry about that. My job is just to make their decision as hard a decision as possible. That’s just been my goal, to make their job tough. Hopefully, I’ve done that."’

‘Over the weekend, he had a heart to heart with coach Gregg Williams and decided eight seasons were enough in the NFL.’

‘The Bills had hoped Cota would bolster their young defensive backfield. He was expected to compete with third-year safety Tony Driver for the backup spot behind Coy Wire, who is coming off a promising rookie season.’

Williams said, “I talked with Chad over the weekend and he told me that he has reconsidered and will retire from professional football. I respect his decision and wish him the best of luck.”

Cota agreed to terms of a contract with the Bills last Thursday, but did not sign the official document which would have made him a member of the club. He spoke with Bills Head Coach Gregg Williams over the weekend, informing him of his decision to retire.

Pat Kirwan writes: “Last but not least, the Buffalo Bills. Tom Donahoe has done a masterful job over the past two years — clearing cap space, acquiring Drew Bledsoe, drafting well and securing quality veteran talent for the defense. Even if rookie running back Willis McGahee is out in shorts doing some drill work, it makes this stop a must. I think the Bills are poised to make a significant move this year, and I want to know this team inside and out. “

‘"He gets deals done, I will say that about Drew," Donahoe said. "He does a good job for his clients. He fights for them. He’s an advocate for them. When push comes to shove, he will get a deal done."’

‘The Buffalo Bills will hold a free public practice from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Friday in Ralph Wilson Stadium, weather permitting. Fans will be able to get a glimpse of the new AstroPlay surface at that time.’

‘The Buffalo Bills will have a free open practice at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Friday, playing on the team’s new AstroPlay surface.’

‘"The reason for coming here was to make Buffalo’s decision hard and, after I’ve come here and produced well, they have to make the decision," he said. "I don’t have a problem moving on. I hope my opportunity is in Buffalo, but, if it’s not, I’ll make no beef about it. I just hope what I’ve been doing is not in vain. I know when I work hard that opportunities will come."’

The Buffalo Bills Express is the easiest way for fans that live across New York State to attend the Bills home games. Passengers will board an Amtrak charter train on Sunday morning and travel hassle-free to the game. Fans aboard the Bills Express arrive at the stadium early without having to worry about driving and parking.

Cornerback Kevin Thomas enters his second season in the NFL. As a rookie, the former four-year starter at UNLV played in six games and made his first NFL start in the season finale against Cincinnati on December 29. For the season, Thomas recorded six tackles and one interception, which came on the opening drive against the Green Bay Packers on December 22.

June 9, 1967 – BILLS & CITY AGREE ON A 3-YEAR LEASE

City of Buffalo Mayor Frank Sedita and Bills' owner Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. agreed on a new three-year lease for War Memorial Stadium; the Bills paying the city four percent of its revenues and the city taking over stadium maintenance.

Catch the snap and hold the ball in your hand with the laces up. Hold the ball in front of your kicking leg as you take two steps. Do not throw the ball up or out in front of you. Drop it smoothly just before your second step hits the ground. Do not wind up your kicking leg for more power, as power comes from good technique.

Ken Simonton today urged the NFL to scrap the Europe League set-up after the Scottish Claymores finished tied for top spot but still missed out on World Bowl XI.

RB Simonton and his teammates defeated the Amsterdam Admirals 31-14 at Hampden Park yesterday to finish off the season with a 6-4 record.

That put Gene Dahlquist’s on-form side level with German giants Frankfurt Galaxy and Rhein Fire after a dramatic final weekend of fixtures.

But they failed to qualify for the World Bowl due to an unusual three way tie-breaker system, which means Galaxy and Fire will fight it out at Hampden on Saturday.

And Buffalo Bills allocate Simonton, who capped a sensational season by rushing for 151 yards and was named MVP, reckons that is unfair. "My job is just to play football. At the end of it all we didn’t do what we needed to do in order to get to the World Bowl," he said. "It is up to other people to examine how the league works. But I do think they have got to re-evaluate what’s being done as it makes no sense. It doesn’t add up."