Archives for September 10, 2004

‘Mike Mularkey said he hurt it near the end of Wedneday’s practice. He did not participate fully in practice on Friday.’

‘DH: Everybody knows what Travis brings to the table, but what about Willis-has he looked good in practice?

EM: He’s looked great, I think he came in and he’s picked up the offense well and I think he’s going to do great things for us. I think right now we know Travis is our guy, but Willis is going to get some of the carries also. At the same time we feel that we have 2 quality backs and like I said before, it’s a long season and it’s very hard for guys to stay healthy.’

‘”They’re not strong enough to win the division … I can see them going 8-8″ he said, before hedging, “but they could get a wild card spot."’

‘"There’s no emotional high and low that you get that you can compare to any other job in the world," said Mularkey, who at 42 is the third-youngest coach in the league. "I know that no matter how many software programs I marketed, I didn’t get any experience like I did on the football field."’

‘As a first-year NFL player, Ritzmann will earn the league minimum of $230,000 per year, but said he knows he’ll have to prove himself before he’s able to command a salary comparable to the $98 million quarterback Peyton Manning will earn in seven years. "Of course it would be great if I could sack one of the big quarterbacks like Donovan McNabb or Peyton Manning," Ritzmann said. "And I’m sure that’s going to happen in the future."’

‘"As a fan, the 1980 season opener when they beat the Dolphins and ended the streak of the 1970s stands out. They didn’t beat the Dolphins in a decade – 20 straight losses. To beat the Dolphins in the season opener for most long-time Bills fans, that’s everybody’s most memorable opening game."’

‘"Chris Kelsay and Ryan Denney have been doing a great job," defensive coordinator Jerry Gray said. "They’re real good friends but they know they need to compete against one another at a very high level. It’s not like one is a good run stopper and one is a good pass rusher, it’s not that at all. When you look at their production, it’s about the same. They’re both playing good enough to start, so they’re both going to play."’

‘”They’re guys who, if they catch you leaning a little bit, they’re going to throw you down,” said Bills guard Chris Villarrial. “You get off balance they’re going to chuck you, throw you. . . . You have to be disciplined every time you set up against them. It’s a great challenge for us and a good measure of where we’re at.”‘

‘He could reach an injury settlement with the team and become a free agent. If no settlement is reached, he could be released after his knee is healthy. In the meantime, he’s helping Drew Bledsoe in meetings.’

‘”I’m really fired up, man,” Spikes said, “especially knowing what we could have been last year and how disappointed I felt looking at that tape.”‘

‘Rookie receivers – even first-rounders – usually only post average numbers. Evans should have a positive effect on the offense, even if his numbers are ordinary. Why? His deep speed will affect the way opposing coaches try to defend against the Bills.’

‘Beginning with the Jacksonville Jaguars game Sunday, state troopers will set up sobriety checkpoints on several entrance and exit routes.’

‘"I think it’s going to be run Fred right, run Fred left, run Fred in the middle," Mularkey said.’

‘”I was disappointed,” Mularkey said of being the Jaguars’ first runner-up to Del Rio after Weaver and Vance interviewed both coaches at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.’

Passed over (Florida Times Union)

Zelenka’s 15 minutes of fame over (Florida Times Union)

Taylor wants to be team’s workhorse (Orlando Sentinel)

Scobee ready to kick (Jaguars.com)

Right from the gut (Jaguars.com)

Jags hope history repeats itself (Jacksonville Daily Record)