Archives for February 2004

‘McNally is among the very best at his craft and he’ll have his work cut out in Buffalo, where the Bills allowed an NFL-most 51 sacks last season and quarterback Drew Bledsoe is among the easiest targets to hit.’

‘Already, two things are apparent: It’s good to have Wyche’s sense of humor back in the league, and the Bills will be heard from when it comes time for the Henson deal to get done. We’re not saying Henson, the former Michigan standout turned baseball player turned Houston Texans-owned trade bait, should start picking out a winter coat for upstate New York. It’s just that, for the second time in three years, Buffalo might be in the best position to trade a high-round pick for a quarterback being shopped far and wide.’

‘Granted, Drew Bledsoe’s dismal season in 2003 raised serious questions about the position in both the short and long run. For the immediate future, Donahoe’s clearly banking on Mularkey, Clements and Wyche to rebuild Bledsoe’s faulty mechanics and soothe his fractured psyche through better coaching and game planning.’

"We do have 40 suites to sell yet. That will be a big challenge for us," said Erland "Erkie" Kailbourne, still chairman of the Business Backs the Bills committee that, then and now, is very involved in lining up clients for the open suites and club seats.

‘Bledsoe has been sacked 103 times the past two seasons. Some of that has to do with Buffalo’s offensive line, but Wyche plans to teach Bledsoe how to help them help him. For one thing, Bledsoe can tuck the ball and run more. Bledsoe, run? “Sometimes you’re groomed one way and you don’t test yourself in certain areas,” Wyche said. “We’re going to test him.”‘

It appears Tucker will go to camp with a chance to win the starting spot at right guard, where he played very effectively in the second half of last season. In his first Bills start, in November, the offense totaled 403 yards. The Bills rushed for over 200 yards in his second start.

‘Tucker, who started five games at right guard in place of Mike Pucillo late last season, was set to become a free agent on March 3. Tucker joined the Bills after starting half the season for Dallas in 2002.’

‘Why did Buffalo bother attending Henson’s workout in Houston this week? He probably will be traded by the Texans for at least a high second-round pick and perhaps a first-round pick. The Bills need immediate help in too many areas (wide receiver, defensive end and tight end) to use one of their top picks on a project QB.’

The Buffalo Bills reached a three-year, $2.2 million agreement with guard Ross Tucker, 24, that could grow to $3.2 million depending upon his playing time. Tucker is a great success story for the Bills, a former undrafted player claimed off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys who ended up as the starting RG the final 5 games of last season. The 6-4, 316-pounder is projected to be a starter next season. Included in the deal is a $225,000 signing bonus. He was scheduled to be a RFA.

‘No stranger to Bills fans, Murphy recently completed his 16th season alongside Miller in the booth as the radio network’s color analyst. He first held the analyst job from 1984-89 and then again from 1994-2003. A native of Lockport, NY and graduate of Syracuse University, Murphy has also served as the sports director at WKBW-TV (Channel 7) in Buffalo since 1989.’

‘Henry proved last year he can carry the load. Playing much of the season with bruised ribs then a broken leg, Henry ran for over 1,350 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. "That’s a credit to him and how tough he is and his commitment to the team," Studesville said of Henry. "He’s an impressive player."’

‘”Being the second-highest scorer in the league as a rookie, I asked for a raise and they wouldn’t give it to me. I’ll tell you very frankly, I signed for $11,000 and I asked for 20. So I played out my contract. I didn’t talk to anybody and I became a free agent and that’s when the Giants approached me and signed me,” said Gogolak. “In Buffalo, I think they thought I was a traitor, basically. I really loved Buffalo and I loved the team. It was a great football town. Very frankly, it was the best two years in my professional career and it was a wonderful place to play for. The whole town was behind you. I think it was just kind of a financial situation. I felt that I was worth that kind of money and the management felt that I wasn’t.”‘

‘”I’d like to be a head coach someday, there’s no question. That’s the only reason I got in this business, to be a head coach. I know that it’s a long journey, but I’m prepared for that.”‘

”’He’ll never be able to do what daddy did,” said Kelly, who led the Buffalo Bills to an unprecedented four straight AFC titles in the early 1990s. ”But he’s going to do greater things. He’s going to make a difference in kids’ lives. He already has.”’

Green Bay’s Mike Sherman and Buffalo’s Mike Mularkey were the only head coaches in attendance. Buffalo’s Tom Donahue[sic], Miami’s Rick Spielman and the New York Giants’ Ernie Accorsi were the only general managers.