‘Only a couple thousand tickets remain for the Jets game on November 7th at Ralph Wilson Stadium. It is anticipated that this game will very soon become the fourth 2004 Bills home game in which tickets will be unavailable. The three games that currently do not have tickets available are September 12th against Jacksonville, October 3rd against New England and October 17th against Miami.’
Archives for July 19, 2004
Thoughts on British Open, Bills’ late start
‘In fact, the Bills’ pre-season opener – Sunday, Aug. 15 against Denver at “The Ralph” – is the latest exhibition start in franchise history.’
Bills reach oral agreement with Gildon
‘Gildon, a three-time Pro Bowler with 77 career sacks, is expected to be used as a pass rusher.Gildon recorded six sacks last season, his lowest total in six years. He will be 32 on July 31.’
Patriots will have tough time defending AFC East title
‘The question: Is Drew Bledsoe over the hill?’
Inside slant
‘Rookie first-round pick J.P. Losman showed enough during offseason drills to conclude that it’s not inconceivable to think he can challenge for the primary backup job as a rookie. “I feel great in this offense,” Losman said. “I think I’m very prepared heading into camp and I look forward to the competition. Some people may think that’s arrogant, but actually I’m just very confident in my abilities.”‘
Strategy and personnel
‘In Buffalo, McNally will get back to his roots, and not just because he’s a Buffalo native. Right tackle Mike Williams, the fourth overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft, is a player in dire need of some serious coaching to hit his potential.’
Notes, quotes, anecdotes
‘New defensive backs coach Dave Szabo inherits a unit that intercepted just 10 passes each of the past two seasons, tying the team record low. The big addition is veteran CB Troy Vincent, who has 42 career picks. How do you get turnovers? “You have to practice it,” Szabo said. “You have to emphasize it and you have to get a little luck. Sometimes turnovers are just happenstance … but interceptions are a direct byproduct of putting pressure on the passer. I would say a vast majority of interceptions are from poorly thrown balls more than from the defensive back making a good break on the ball.”‘