Archives for March 2004

‘Reich has been touring churches across the country, sharing his faith and testimony, since retiring from the Buffalo Bills in 1998. His athletic fame, he said, has given him a unique platform to share the gospel. He’s been outspoken about his faith, even during the height of his career.’

‘Williams is a candidate to fill a roster spot with Buffalo, and spoke very highly of McNally’s ability to get the best out of his offensive lineman. While nothing seemed imminent, Williams speculated that he’d be happy to cancel his flight home if something can get worked out between the team and his agent.’

”’Is this a crossroads season for me?” Bledsoe said. ”Listen, in this league, every season you play is a crossroads season. No matter who you are, what you’ve done, what you’ve accomplished, if you don’t get it done, you can find yourself looking for work.”’

‘”I think Mike (Mularkey) has made it clear that Drew is our starter and that we are committed to Drew,” President and General Manager Tom Donahoe said. “Right now we are looking for a solid number two guy with a few years of experience.”‘

‘The Titans signed Volek to a five-year deal Thursday after he visited twice with the Falcons and even looked at houses in Atlanta, where he received an offer. Buffalo also made an offer to let him compete with Drew Bledsoe immediately. ”But my heart was here,” Volek said at a news conference with his wife and three small children. ”It was really hard to walk away from this place. This place has been awesome to me.”’

‘Song No. 4 is “Too Hip for the Room” with Jamie Warren (another country singer whose career was apparently destroyed by this collaboration) and Buffalo Bills Chris Mohr and Steve Tasker. They can’t sing worth a hoot.’

‘The Eagles are looking to move wide receiver James Thrash before they release him and may have an interested partner in the Buffalo Bills. According to league sources, the Bills might be willing to part with a conditional 2005 draft pick in exchange for Thrash, who has started every game but one (the meaningless 2001 season finale at Tampa Bay) in his three years with the Eagles.’

‘”It went well. I got in Tuesday. I came in and met with coach (Mike) Mularkey and Sam (Wyche), the quarterbacks coach. I had a reunion type situation with coach Mularkey. I’ve been with him forever. Knowing that he’s the head guy around here. it made the visit a little bit more laid back and settled because I knew what I was anticipating and getting myself into.”‘

‘”I had a lot of things going on in my mind,” Mularkey said referring to the night prior to camp opening. “To me, first impressions are pretty important, and I really wanted to make sure they knew where I was coming from and be upfront. I wanted to let them know what the expectations were and the roles that these guys were going to play. I was thinking to make sure I said the right things, and I feel like I did.”‘

‘”I’ve been waiting for this,” he said. “I’m very comfortable. I feel like I’m supposed to be doing this. It was good that I’m surrounded by a bunch of guys that I am with on this coaching staff. It makes it much more comfortable to come out here and know it’s going to get done the right way.”‘

‘”It helps a lot,” Stewart said in the team’s field house. “Obviously I know the system. I guess you could say I was the guy who christened this offense in 2001. This is obviously a situation that is sort of a no-brainer. You want to be in a situation where you can land on your feet.”‘

‘”Mike’s real. That’s the best way I can describe him,” said quarterback Drew Bledsoe on Wednesday at Ralph Wilson Stadium where the Bills’ new coaching staff kicked off a three-day, getting-to-know-you veterans camp.’

‘”So as excited as I am, I have to step back and get a big picture and full glimpse of what’s taken place. Whatever situation I end up in, it’s going to be a good situation.”‘

‘The offense used various formations that included both Travis Henry and Willis McGahee. Last year’s number one pick looked good and didn’t even wear a knee brace. After session two he said that he has no problems and feels he’s going to keep getting better as the off season progresses.’

‘A seventh-round draft pick out of Ball State, McKenzie was drafted by Green Bay, where he spent four seasons. He has also spent time with Cleveland and the Chicago Bears.’