Archives for August 5, 2004

‘The Browns, who were held in single-digit scoring on six occasions last year and averaged just 12.5 points per game over the final six weeks, will be at the Bills’ training camp home at St. John Fisher College on Friday and Saturday. The teams will practice against one another twice on Friday, at 9 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., and a sold-out scrimmage is slated for 11 a.m. Saturday.’

‘There has been no rotation on the first team at the position manned by Ruben Brown for the past nine seasons. Mike Pucillo has taken all the snaps with the starting unit. "The plan is Pucillo has kind of got the job unless he struggles; we give him the first shot," said offensive line coach Jim McNally. "That’s a decision we’ve made."’

‘”This is not a rebuilding process here by any stretch,” first-year head coach Mike Mularkey said. “We have a group of veteran players here who know how to win, and it’s not going to take much to get this thing going in the right direction.”‘

‘On if he was focusing on Willis McGahee during goal line:

Yes I was, but I was also looking at the line to see what kind of movement we get and what type of attitude we had up front in the trenches. Willis did fine. I’m anxious to see it on film.’

‘"It was personal family problems just to categorize it," Williams said as he addressed the media after practice. "Those things are over. I’m out here on the field and I’m committed to being out here on the field playing for the Bills as long as they will have me. I will be out here giving 100 percent."’

‘"It had nothing to do with the Bills, nothing to do with Marcus Price, nothing to do with me being out of shape or on the second team. It was personal problems – family – to categorize it."’

‘”I expect to see him pick his game up even more this season,” said defensive coordinator Jerry Gray. “I expect to see Lawyer compete for a Pro Bowl spot. He doesn’t have to think about what he’s doing anymore. He knows the defense, so I think he’ll go out and make plays for us.”‘

‘The Bills did not make progress in offseason talks with the agents for Jonas Jennings, Aaron Schobel and Pat Williams. None of the parties are saying they have closed the door on talks. However, since extensions were not struck by the start of training camp, it’s likely the three will become free agents in March.’

‘”We waited as long as we could, until about a quarter to six, before we made the decision,” said general manager Tom Donahoe. “Prior to coming up here this summer, with the way the weather has been, we felt we needed an alternate site ready to go if we needed it. Our hats are off to the people of East Rochester. The people we have dealt with have pretty much opened up the facility anytime we need to use it.”‘

‘”I apologized to them because they’re out here to win and they’re counting on me like I’m counting on them,” he said. “I told them, ‘I’m going to be there regardless of the situation. I’m going to be there and be committed.'”‘

‘”At the end of the day, when I take off this helmet and these shoulder pads, I’m a citizen in my community. I vote. I want my lawn cut, I want my neighbors’ lawn cut. I walk to the mailbox and pick up my mail like everybody else. I want my children to see that it’s not about us, it’s about the community you live in."’

‘Heart disease could have killed him in 1999. He takes 13 pills every day to treat cardiomyopathy.’

‘But [Ruben] Brown is the only player I’d ever seen with a sign hung in his locker that heralded marijuana. That was three seasons ago, and I don’t remember exactly what the sign said. But I’m still surprised that it was even there, particularly because the NFL and the Bills are as image-conscious as Britney Spears.’

‘Williams said he apologized to his teammates on Wednesday to help clear the air, telling them he was dealing with personal issues. He also spoke personally with Price. ”Me and him are very tight,” Williams said. ”This situation will never happen again.”’

‘"I’m feeling great I’m back out here working with the team and just enjoying myself right now," said Williams. "They’re counting on me just like I’m counting on them. If I’m not giving my 100 percent on the field; if I’m not there it’s hurting them. I told them I’m going to be there regardless of the situation. I’m going to be there committed."’