Archives for July 2003

‘Bledsoe threw 10 of his 15 interceptions during last season’s 3-5 slide in the second half. Many now wonder if his record-setting first eight games were merely the product of adrenaline and the element of surprise after being dissed by New England and traded to Buffalo. Maybe the second-half Drew is closer to the real thing. A solid player but one who is a lot closer to Brad Johnson than Brett Favre. He’ll play to the level of his teammates, but nothing more.’

‘” Assuming everything is going great with his rehab, I wouldn’t want him back to full contact before nine months,” said Bronstein, who estimates he performs 100 ACL repairs and three to four multiple-ligament reconstructions per year.’

‘A season-ticket holder, Kelly is very excited about his old team’s chances this season. ” How can you not be excited after what they did for the defense this off-season?” he asks. ” I think everything is there for them to go a long way."’

Instead of heading into training camp with more holes to fill than a road crew in Western New York, the Bills’ starting 22 – give or take a position – is set.

‘The NFL is teaming up with computer maker IBM to convert up to 80 years of pro football films into digital form for players, coaches and fans, the new partners said on Tuesday. ‘

‘This Friday at High Falls, you can join Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly and his wife Jill, for their first ever Candlelight Ball here in Rochester.’

‘On one side of main street: Bills football camp banners and on the other side PGA banners.’

‘Tom Donohoe says the club has a verbal agreement with 3rd round pick, linebacker Angelo Crowell.’

‘The Buffalo Bills signed seventh-round draft pick Mario Haggan on Tuesday, a day before rookies were to report to training camp.’

‘After moving from defensive end to linebacker for his senior season, Haggan led Mississippi State in tackles with 119 (66 solo) in 2002 and was an All-Southeastern Conference first-team selection. He started three years for the Bulldogs and led the team in tackles each of those years, registering 359 stops for his career.’

‘"We do have a signed contract with Mario Haggan, our seventh round pick," said Donahoe. "We have a verbal agreement with Angelo Crowell, our third round pick and we’re very close with Chris Kelsay and Terrence McGee. We’d like to have them all there (at opening practice on Thursday) but it’s still too early in the week with regard to (Willis) McGahee to say where that will be on Thursday."’

‘It already shows in seat purchases, as the Bills will sell more season tickets this year than in any campaign since 1994.’

‘So how do you look in blue and red compared to orange and black? Spikes: I look like a winner.’

4a. Terrence McGee, Northwestern (La.) State (No. 111 overall): Signing bonus: $307,500. Base salaries: $225,000 (2003); $305,000 (2004); $380,000 (2005). Total: three years, $1,217,500. Cap charge: $327,500.

7. LB Mario Haggan, Mississippi State (No. 228 overall): Unsigned

Offseason, Defense gets praise from Vic Carrucci