Archives for August 2003

‘"I think it’s important to have the focus on one thing – that’s worrying about the Bills winning and doing what we have to do, not just worrying about the Bills and worrying about what I’m doing. The pressure is off the whole organization about what I’m going to do and how I’m going to turn out. We can just concentrate on one thing right now. I’m just happy to be here.’

“We expect to set records on Defense,” Spikes said. “Right now, we’re developing great chemistry. Expect a lot of plays and a lot of excitement by this years Buffalo Bills defense.”

‘"I just wanted to be a contender and I saw what they did in free agency early on with the defense and showing off the defense. I think that is what you win super bowls with, is with a great defense. The weapons that they had on offense are just unbelievable with Eric Moulds, Drew Bledsoe, Travis Henry and those guys. It’s just been great playing with them."’

‘McGahee will most likely not see action this season, leaving one question to be asked — Is an injured running back taken this year better than a healthy running back taken next year?’

‘"I am glad the Bills were the team that drafted Willis," said Drew Rosenhaus, McGahee’s agent. "They were very fair. Tom Donahoe and (Vice President for Business Administration) Jim Overdorf have been nothing but very classy and have treated Willis as a family member of their organization from Day One. They were considerate of his special situation. I couldn’t be more pleased. . . . The incentive package is very unique and I think the Bills deserve a tremendous amount of credit for dealing with him fairly and recognizing his talent."’

‘"I like them not so much on personnel but on the spirit they’re showing," Zimmerman said. "I like (defensive line coach) Tim Krumrie, I like (defensive coordinator) Jerry Gray. I think they’re well-coached, they play hard and the division is so close and that might be what it takes to make it to the top."’

‘” We thought enough of (Willis) to draft him where we did and we think he’s a professional player now and he needs to get on with that phase of his life,” Donahoe said. ” Even though he’s not on the practice field right away, he’ll be in meetings, working on his relationships with his teammates and coaches and the people on this team. We think that’s all an important phase of it.”‘

‘In last Saturday’s 20-19 win over the Baltimore Ravens, Coleman led all receivers with five catches for 89 yards. Two of his receptions went for gains of 36 and 25 yards and four catches overall were good for first downs.’

‘” He’s a remarkable athlete for an offensive lineman,” Gilbride said. ” He’s a big, strong kid that can run. He’s got athleticism and he’s a terrific young man.”‘

”’And if you woulda, coulda, shoulda we could have very easily been 11-5 last year if a few bounces went our way,” Williams said. ”And that’s with $20 million in dead money against the cap. We don’t have that situation now, we like what we’ve done, so yes, I think we can be a playoff team.”‘

‘As for the Pats and the season-opener against his former team at Orchard Park Sept. 7, Bledsoe couldn’t wait to bring it on. When asked if it would feel different playing Bill Belichick & Co. this time around, one year removed, Bledsoe shrugged. “I really don’t know,” he said. “We just need to win the game. We got through a lot of the hype and the hoopla from the first time last year. We just need to produce on the field better when we play them. That’s the big thing.”’

‘If McGahee is placed on the reserve non football injury list, Buffalo is not obligated to pay his 411-thousand salary, but will do so. General Manager Tom Donahoe says he hasn’t decided if McGahee will be put on that list. He could stay on the roster and just be one of the inactives until he’s healthy. Donahoe maintained that he will not take any chances with his young running back.’

‘He is expected to be placed on the physically unable to perform list.’

‘Although he is mending ahead of schedule, his return date is still indefinite.’

‘The Bills already have Travis Henry and signed Olandis Gary and have no glaring need at running back.’