Archives for March 2004

‘Still, by most indications, Tennessee appears to be in the driver’s seat to keep Volek.’

‘The Bills have broached the subject of a contract extension with defensive end Aaron Schobel. Schobel has had 6.5, 8.5 and 11.5 sacks in his three seasons, and his contract runs out after 2004. Presuming he doesn’t have a bad year, there’s no question it will be cheaper to sign Schobel now than February or next March.’

‘”When I made this decision, I looked at London Fletcher, Takeo Spikes, Nate Clements, Drew Bledsoe, Eric Moulds, Sam Adams. I looked at the roster. I know there’s talent here. I know we can win. I believe I can be one of the components bringing things together. I have experience. I’ve made plays in the past. I expect to make plays in the future to help this organization get back to where they once were.”‘

‘An undrafted free agent out of Nebraska, White spent three seasons with the Buffalo Bills before his NFL career was cut short by a groin injury. But he collected his share of memories, intercepting a Dan Marino pass to clinch an AFC East title and returning a fumble for a touchdown in a victory over the Bengals that ESPN Classic occasionally replays. A linebacker by trade, White had to learn to play fullback when he signed with the Arena league’s Buffalo Destroyers in 1999. He credits former Destroyers and Storm fullback/linebacker Tony Jones with teaching him the nuances of the position.’

‘Here are the off-season playoff moves and a comparison of the 2004 nondivision opponents for the always competitive AFC East…’.

‘Carter’s prospects of carving out a career at the Bills from the second division of the Arena League remain remote, but at least he has someone to emulate. His high school buddy Reg inald Swinton, and team-mate at the Arkansas Twisters, is now a Detroit Lion.’

‘Also slowing Volek’s decision in recent days was the fact the Buffalo Bills formally entered the bidding Wednesday. Bills quarterbacks coach Sam Wyche and general manager Tom Donahoe outlined the potential for far more playing time than Volek would likely see as the backup to either Steve McNair with the Titans or Michael Vick in Atlanta. But the Bills’ offer was the lowest of the three teams.’

‘Bannister left Buffalo on Thursday night after spending two days meeting with Bills coaches and executives, and visits with other teams next week are in the works. McGee did not identify those teams, though the Baltimore Ravens, a team in search of help at wide receiver, are believed to be interested.’

‘Great coverage on punts and kickoffs earned Bannister a Pro Bowl berth this season. The Seahawks ranked No. 1 in the NFL in punt coverage and seventh in kickoff coverage. Bannister saw little time at receiver, catching only three passes for 61 yards all year. He was No. 4 on the Seattle depth chart, behind Darrell Jackson, Koren Robinson and Bobby Engram.’

‘”I talked to the receiver coach and the special teams coach. I think they’re excited for me to be able to do both, especially playing a second or third receiver position. You have to be able to play special teams too. I think it’s a big advantage when you can do both. I’m an up and coming receiver. My best years are ahead of me.”‘

‘”Does it get any better for me?” said Williams, who missed most of the 2003 season after knee and toe surgeries. “I don’t know the Bills salary cap situation or what they’ve allotted for another tight end, but I will say I’ve had a great time and I would love to be part of this organization. I’m going to come back and be a hard-nosed player for somebody in this league. I’m just praying that it can for my hometown Buffalo Bills.”‘

‘Unless they renegotiate that deal by November, they’ll have to pay Bledsoe a $2 million bonus, which also makes him a free agent at season’s end, or pay him a $7 million bonus to extend the contract through the 2007 season. Either bonus will be a stretch against Buffalo’s salary cap, but the Bills are unlikely to pay the $7 million unless Bledsoe is having a career season.’

‘Additionally, the Buffalo Bills may have bowed out of the race, as Staninger informed them Wednesday that their initial offer was not in range and said he had not yet heard back from them.’

‘”I’m definitely looking forward to having an opportunity to play as a receiver, whether it be the third or second – or first, whatever,” Bannister told reporters in Buffalo. “I do want to make that transition. I’m a wide receiver that can play special teams, not a special-teams player that can play receiver.”‘

‘The Bills surprisingly bowed out of the Drew Henson sweepstakes early and are likely to consider using a middle- or late-round selection on a quarterback such as Matt Schaub of Virginia. Patriots UFA Damon Huard could be on the radar, and former Ravens QB Chris Redman will get another chance. But for as many hits as Drew Bledsoe is prone to take, even in a toned-down, run-first offense, the Bills have to provide a safety net. It would be unfortunate to be in the division race in November only to see playoff hopes dashed because of a Bledsoe injury. The Falcons know all too well how quickly the cookie crumbles if the main ingredient is lost.’