Archives for August 19, 2004

‘Receiver Josh Reed got the first crack at kickoff return duties against Denver on Sunday and brought the ball back to the Bills’ 41 and the Bills’ 29. Last year the Bills ranked 16th in average drive start after kickoff. Their average was their own 28.8. "I think Josh has a good feel for it," coach Mike Mularkey said. "The whole team did a nice job, blocked it like we asked them to and sustained blocks."’

‘It’s the first preseason game to sellout since the stadium’s very first game on August 17, 1973, an exhibition contest in which the Bills hosted the Washington Redskins.’

‘The sellout was ensured when Turkey Hill Dairy of Pennsylvania agreed to buy the remainder of the tickets. It was not disclosed how many tickets the company purchased. Turkey Hill, which has just introduced a new Bills-themed ice cream, Stampede Sundae, will donate the tickets to children’s charity groups throughout Western New York.’

‘…marking the second time in team history that a preseason game has been sold out.’

‘The game dubbed as "Kids Day" features discounted tickets for kids 14 & under which contributed to the high demand. The game was sold out in time to lift the NFL Blackout rule, which will allow viewers across Western and Central New York to see the game live on WKBW-TV, WOKR-TV and WIXT-TV, all members of the Bills Television Network. Steve Tasker and Marv Levy will return to the broadcast booth for a third straight year as part of the Bills broadcast team.’

‘”You’ll see when the frustration comes, it will be evident,” Mularkey said after Wednesday’s morning workout. “I’m sure there are very few camps where the five starting offensive linemen have played together for every practice. It’s not how we would like it to be, but we’re dealing with the circumstances we have.”‘

‘"Tim has gradually gotten better and better," said Bills coach Mike Mularkey. "The more he understands, the more comfortable he is. You can just see it in his play, he’s gotten better."’

‘"When I leave this game, I can say I scored touchdowns all over this world, from Corvallis, Oregon, to Scotland to Germany. I just gotta hit some points in between."’

‘Szabo likes the situation he has stepped into in Buffalo, where the defense ranked No. 2 a year ago in yards allowed but still has much room to grow. The Bills had just 10 interceptions in each of the past two seasons, tying the team’s record low. Szabo promised that the Bills will do well under Mularkey, whose genuineness immediately impressed him. For now, Szabo gives the nod in the AFC East to his old team, New England.’

‘”Most of the guys are just off the field and they try to get a decent cut, get in the shower and get their rest before they head back out to practice,” says Davis while giving linebacker Jeff Posey a full cut and shave. “It’s been a great experience and great publicity for me.”‘

‘Schobel won’t make the trip to Buffalo, but he’ll probably talk to Aaron at least once this week. The two chat regularly. Another cousin, Matt Schobel, plays for the Bengals. ”I think the main thing about our family is we’ve always been competitive,” Schobel said. ”We always had games, backyard games. It was fun.”’

‘”One thing you love about him is his energy,” Studesville said. “He’s going to sacrifice his body. He doesn’t care who’s standing in front of him, he’s going straight ahead.”‘

‘”They told us coming in it was going to be a competition,” said Kelsay. “They’re going to give us both opportunities and whoever makes the most of it and produces is going to earn that job. He (Coach Mularkey) gave Ryan the start last week. He’s going to give me the start this week and it comes down to whoever’s playing better.”‘

‘”Being an education major myself, I think it’s important for kids to put a lot of emphasis on staying in school,” said Moorman, a history education major and one-time substitute teacher. “If I can help motivate kids to stay in school then I’m happy to help out anyway I can.”‘

‘"No back in the league gives me as much trouble," says the Dolphins’ MLB Zach Thomas. "I’m short, and I can get leverage on the backs, but not Henry. I can’t get under him. And he runs so hard. I hate trying to tackle him."’