Archives for July 2004

‘Fred Engh, founder and president of the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS), spoke to nearly 200 youth football coaches and administrators on Saturday, July 17, at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The seminar was sponsored by the Western New York Youth Tackle Football Federation, which represents 185 football and cheerleading teams with 8,000 football players and 6,000 cheerleaders.’

‘The Bills think veteran linebacker Jason Gildon can help them but the contract they gave him is something less than convincing. His one-year deal valued at between $1 million and $1.25 million with incentives came with a signing bonus of no more than $500,000, making the Steelers’ all-time sack leader a candidate to be cut with no significant salary cap impact if he fails to perform in training camp.’

‘The Bills are close to signing DT Tim Anderson, their third-round pick out of Ohio State, leaving only two picks unsigned heading into training camp. Those picks, unfortunately, are first-rounders Lee Evans and J.P. Losman, and as GM Tom Donahoe says, "Signing first-round picks is never easy."’

‘WR Josh Reed doesn’t want to relinquish his starting job, but he’s wide open to the idea of returning to the slot where he had more success as a rookie. In 2002, he caught 37 passes for 509 yards and 2 TDs – a 13.8 average. Playing on the outside last season, he caught 58 balls but for just 588 yards – a 10.1 average. From the slot, catching short balls over the middle, Reed can use his run-after-the-catch abilities more effectively. "The coaches have done a great job so far," he said. "They’re going to put us in the positions that we need to be to make this team better. I’m just going out there and doing what they ask of me."’

‘Change was needed, but that doesn’t make everything better. Gregg Williams made mistakes, but if you think dumping him is all good, you are mistaken. The defense has lost Williams and have lost Dick LeBeau. Jerry Gray is a very good football man. But the heat is on him to not miss a beat without his mentor.’

‘"It’s not as grueling as it sounds," Mularkey said. "I know it hasn’t been like that here in years past but I’d rather start at this level, and if we need to cut back, fine. Because you can’t start here (a low number of sessions) and then say, "We don’t have enough practices, we’re not hitting hard enough.’"’

‘Children under the age of 14 can get autographs after each practice at the McDonald’s Kids Autograph tent.’

‘The Bills won’t shed any tears over Williams’ departure. In five career games against Buffalo, he ran for 682 yards (136.4 yards per game) and averaged 4.8 yards per carry. His departure leaves the Bills with arguably two of the three best running backs in the AFC East (with New England’s Corey Dillon). Needless to say, it would be a waste of Miami’s time to talk trade for Travis Henry or Willis McGahee.’

‘"Lawyer was a blessing to me because the experience he has in the NFL," Wire said. "He kind of took me under his wing. We’re great friends off the field as well, which has meant a lot to me."’

‘The Bills averaged just six yards per punt return last season, 3.5 yards below the league average. In 2003, Antonio Brown started off the year as the main man, but by the mid-point in the season he was replaced by cornerback Nate Clements. Both men could be in the competition this year as well.’

‘Expect new coach Mike Mularkey, a former NFL tight end, to make Campbell a bigger part of the offense this season.’

‘"I just liked the way he carried himself," said Odioso, who now works for the Fox Sports television network. "He had a good presence about him. I knew he was smart, and I had the impression he’d be good at getting people to work together and making everybody feel they were heard without getting sidetracked by listening to too many opinions."’

‘Here’s a position-by-position look at what’s being said about the 2004 Bills."

‘”It looks like Mularkey brings a clear-cut identity to the squad and his staff has experience at the most important coaching positions. The Bills will not abandon the run and should utilize their weapons better. … Despite all the moves, the Bills shape up as a mystery team. How much different will the team look under a new coaching regime? How much of an impact can Willis McGahee make? Can Drew Bledsoe rebound from a poor season? The answers will determine if the Bills can turn around a streak of four straight non-winning seasons.”‘

‘While Kemp said he always saw himself as an activist when it came to sports (he was the founder and president of the AFL Players Association during his playing days), he didn’t necessarily know a life in politics would have been so successful. But with two years remaining on his football contract in 1970, Kemp decided to forgo his final days on the field to represent western New York in Congress. “I told people in Buffalo if they didn’t elect me to Congress, I’d come back and play quarterback again,” Kemp joked, recalling his final two seasons as a struggle for on-field success. “So they sent me to Washington.”‘