Archives for August 2004

‘"We’ve got to work with the players who are here and that should be our focus," said Donahoe, who stopped short of saying the team would take more severe measures if Williams continues to be a camp no-show. "Mike Mularkey needs to concentrate on the guys who are here, and we’ll see what happens as camp goes on."’

‘If we learned anything from the first few days at St. John Fisher College, it’s that new coach Mike Mularkey is done messing around. He spat in the face of his first mini-crisis and didn’t think twice. Mularkey clearly doesn’t have the time or energy to pamper a former first-round pick who is unwilling to help himself, which means he’ll get along just fine with the local townspeople. Bills’ fans will adore this guy if he stays true to his convictions. Mularkey reminds me of the kid in high school who was quiet, unassuming and would never start a fight but would rip your head off if you challenged him. Guys like him are dangerous, certainly, but always respected.’

‘Recently signed LB Jason Gildon is wearing the number 92 jersey he wore for 10 seasons in Pittsburgh. The jersey number previously belonged to DE Ryan Denney, who may be compensated for his generosity. “We’re still in negotiations,” said Gildon.”‘

‘"He played a long time in the league so I have a lot of respect for him," said Moulds. "Any player that’s played in this league, you have to have a lot of respect for them because they have knowledge. With that being said, he knows when players are dogging it. He knows when guys are hustling and making plays for him."’

‘"Lee’s going to be a special receiver," said Mularkey. "This is a different game at this level. There’s still things I recognize out there: coming back for the ball. He has to realize defensive backs at this level, with their speed, they can close on the ball. Little things like that. I think he’ll eventually get and I hope soon, but Lee got a good start."’

‘”By the time we have three and a half weeks under our belt, we’re going to be right where we want to be,” he said. “My job has always been since I’ve been here is when it’s time for me to go out and play and one of the guys can’t go, that’s what I do.”‘

‘By going to the fine card, Mularkey has made it clear that whatever personal issue is still weighing Williams down Mularkey no longer deems it a legitimate reason to be excused from work. He put the football in his court. Made him accountable to his teammates.’

‘Mularkey, who made the decision to fine Williams, is adamant in his belief that his demotion of Williams to the second team has nothing to do with the former Texas standout going AWOL. “I really don’t think that had anything to do with it,” he said. “I’m not going to get into what the issues are. He’s being fined every day he’s not here and it’s his decision when he makes it in here or not. I hope it’s tomorrow.”‘

‘”‘Good luck, Rick. Don’t come back. Don’t change your mind. I don’t care what they say about you, we love you and congratulations,” ‘ said Adams, his tongue firmly in cheek.’

‘”I’m definitely worried about it,” Jonas Jennings said. “Anytime you have a teammate that’s a no show and is supposed to be an unexcused absence you got to worry about him. You never know what’s going on, especially when I don’t know what’s the problem.”‘

‘”I picked up the playbook fairly quickly,” Villarrial said. “I feel very comfortable already. We’re going to be a physical team this year under (offensive line) Coach McNally and we’ve got something to prove.”‘

‘On whether Williams will be present for practice tomorrow:

I don’t know. We all wish he is, but we don’t know.’

‘On whether he has lost motivation to play:

You’d have to talk to Mike. We’ve got to work with the players here and that should be our focus. That’s really why I wanted to address this. Mike Mularkey needs to concentrate on the guys that are here. We’ll see what happens as camp goes on.’

‘"We’re just going to go day-to-day with this and see what happens," said Donahoe. "He will be fined today and if he’s not here tomorrow he’ll be fined tomorrow. He’s under contract with the Buffalo Bills and he should be here with his teammates."’

‘“He’ll be fined each day he’s not here. He’s under contract with the Buffalo Bills and he should be here with his teammates,” Donahoe said.’