Archives for August 2004

‘On his way back to the sideline, McGahee was greeted by a standing ovation from the crowd behind the Buffalo bench at the Bills training camp site in suburban Rochester. ”It’s good to know that they’re behind me and they want to see how I do,” McGahee said. ”And I’m just glad to score and let them know that I can still do certain things.”’

‘He was the key force in the Browns offense even though he was limited to playing only the first of four offensive series. Suggs carried five times for 82 yards, including a nifty cutback run of 50 yards on Cleveland’s second offensive play of the scrimmage held at the Bills training camp site in suburban Rochester.’

‘On recovering from some early mistakes and Drew Bledsoe speaking to his teammates on the sidelines:

I was extremely please by what he did on the sideline. That’s what we need. Don’t wait until Mondays after games to address the problem. They’re recognizing at least that they have an issue and they’re trying to address it and take care of it so when they go back on the field it’s been talked about. They know that probably their biggest opponent that they’ll face can be themselves. It’s just too hard to make mistakes against good football teams and every team is good to overcome. It was a good example. I’m glad it was a scrimmage it took place in.’

‘On if he thought about all of his hard work and rehab after his first touchdown:

Not yet. It doesn’t start until preseason. It was a good day today to go against the Cleveland Browns in a scrimmage, but it will really pay off during preseason and during the regular season.’

‘"The protection was outstanding," said quarterback Drew Bledsoe. "We ran the ball well at times, so that gives me a reason to be very optimistic about what we’ve done so far as far as the changes."’

‘"I try to come back stronger and faster and more mentally prepared as far as knowing the schemes and the defense," Clements said Friday. "I know the defense now. I’m expanding on it by knowing what all the guys around me are doing to help me be in the best position."’

‘”Both clubs are trying to establish identity, both clubs are trying to look good against an opponent and, you know, we play a contact sport,” Bills cornerback Troy Vincent said. “It’s a physical and emotional game, so you’re going to have emotions flaring because everyone wants to make a play. (The gunner drill) is the highlight of the morning. It got the juices flowing.”‘

‘”Sometimes with rookie quarterbacks, if they’re not absolutely positive where they should go with the ball, they should just take it and run. With him, that’s OK.” Bills coach Mike Mularkey on fleet QB J.P. Losman.’

‘”I think we have some talent,” said McNally, who as one of the most respected line coaches in the league knows what he’s talking about. “I don’t know how much depth we have, but we have some guys with experience.”‘

‘”At this point, I want to show them that I still can play the game,” said McKenzie, a nine-year NFL veteran. “Right now, I’m not worried about the season. I’m worried about this preseason, about making the team. I want to show that I’m able to run, do good things and make plays.”‘

‘General manager Tom Donahoe and Jim Overdorf, the Bills vice president of business administration, had only around $4 million in rookie pool money to get their six picks signed. They had to get creative with the distribution of bonus money to first-rounders Lee Evans and J.P. Losman, getting them to accept deals that pay out the money over two years. “We ended up with a about $1,000 in our rookie pool,” Donahoe said, sounding dead serious.’

‘The teams love seeing an opponent. Said Buffalo receiver Josh Reed, "The offense is running smoothly. The younger guys are getting everything down pat. They’re getting everything under their wings and everything seems like it’s rolling right now."’

The Bills are doing an interesting thing in an effort to get Bledsoe to get rid of the ball quicker and avoid sacks this season. Starting this offseason, Buffalo has been using a four-second clock on pass plays in practice, with an alarm clock buzzer going off when time is up.

‘”I think we have enough guys to win with,” Mularkey said. “I know I have an advantage of talent level here compared to some other new coaches. But still, it’s basically the same team that went 6-10, so you’ve got to find a way to get them confident about themselves. That’s what you do constantly from the very first time you step in front of them to present the staff and your plan. They’ve got to know that they are a good football team.”‘

‘According to the Bills RB, he felt the knee buckle a bit and admitted he was scared, however Henry added that he feels fine and he should be OK.’