Archives for August 20, 2003

”’Our offense needs to get on track, and our defense needs to shorten the field,” coach Gregg Williams said.’

‘After practice, the annual rookie relay race began. The rooks had to run to the veterans, who then spun them around a baseball bat (mercilessly). The confused players would then run to a football, pick it up, and tag the next man in line. Drew Bledsoe and Sam Gash didn’t have to worry about actually running in the race, but both said that it’s the type of thing that goes a long way for team chemistry.’

‘The cuts came prior to Buffalo’s preseason home-opener against the St. Louis Rams on Saturday, and six days before NFL teams are to reduce their rosters to a maximum 65 players. The moves leave the Bills with 75 players, including first-round draft pick Willis McGahee, the former Miami star running back who’s recovering from a left knee injury and is on the active non-football injury list.’

‘"We’ve got to come out and we’ve got to play well in the third preseason game," Bledsoe said. "It’s still a preseason game but we need to come out and be productive and get something done."’

NFL rosters must be reduced to 65 by next Tuesday, August 26

Paris Jackson, WR; Jason Johnson, QB;

Omari Jordan, DT; Jerel Myers, WR;

Justin Sands, OT; T.J. Watkins, G;

Jason Witczak, K

‘"Terrance has come an awful long way," said Pat Thomas, the Bills’ cornerback’s coach. "He’s learning the system, gradually, and is getting better. He’s shown the athletic ability to play in the NFL, he’s shown the desire, it’s just the matter of learning the techniques. Everyone here likes what we’re getting out of Terrence right now, we just have to refine him as much as possible to where he’ll be able to take the next step."’

‘Rookie running back Willis McGahee did some light running drills on Tuesday with a football but without a helmet and pads. McGahee, the first-round pick out of Miami, is still recovering from knee surgery last January.’

‘It is sacrificing one of the network’s signature programs, "Fan TV." The hour-long 7 p.m. weekday program has been eliminated, meaning anchors Jim Brinson and Bob Trimble will have new roles if they want them.’

Funniest thing I’ve seen: At the Browns-Bills scrimmage, I was huddled with Buffalo head coach Gregg Williams, trying to hog his time after a workout. In the middle of the conversation a Bills employee sheepishly tried to interrupt to deliver what could be construed as a pretty pertinent message. "Uh coach, I’m not sure how to tell you this," said the Bills PR man. "The buses left without you."

Rookie to watch: DE Chris Kelsay, the team’s second-round pick, is in a position battle he can win on the left side. Veteran Marcus Jones’ knee problems are improving, but he’s not yet there. Ryan Denney has looked good, but Kelsay has the inside track if he plays well from here on out.

He was originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round (167th overall) of the 1993 draft. He spent the majority of his rookie year on the Bills practice squad, but started 10 of 11 games in 1994. He played for the Bills through the 1997 season.

Washington is a four-time Pro Bowler, having been selected in 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2001. After three seasons in San Francisco, he went to Denver for a year before playing six seasons in Buffalo. He left Buffalo in 2001 to join the Bears and was a force in the middle of a strong defense during the 2001 season in which Chicago finished 13-3.

The Chicago Bears traded veteran nose tackle Ted Washington to the New England Patriots on Tuesday for a fourth-round pick in the 2004 NFL draft.

This will be Washington’s fourth team, but he’s been a part of taking three different franchises to the playoffs — San Francisco, Buffalo and Chicago. Washington has been to the playoffs in seven of his 12 years

‘From 1 to 9, it’s not a stretch to say that the linebackers have been the most impressive unit in training camp for the Bills. Translation: The team’s special teams stand a chance to be better.’