Archives for December 9, 2004

‘Troy Vincent looks much better and may have a chance to finally return from a knee injury on Sunday. Tim Euhus was not on the field for the second straight day. He’s listed as doubtful.’

‘"Giving back to the community is part of our job description as a football player in the NFL," said Milloy. "We go out there and we try to win ballgames for our fans and when they can see you out in the community giving back, it helps to boost the energy and the morale and that’s what I get out of it."’

‘"I know everyone back home will be watching," Evans said. "It’s going to be a real motivating game. I’ll come out to play like I do every game, but there’s always a little bit extra when you know people back home are watching. I was a big Browns fan (as a kid). I remember being real down when the Browns left. It was sad for everybody. I know how Browns fans and Cleveland fans are." Fletcher echoed Evans’ sentiment. "I’m still a Browns fan," Fletcher said. "I cheer for them except when we’re playing against them. There’s something about growing up in Cleveland – you just love the Browns."’

‘According to a source close to the situation, Clements will meet tonight with a group of Notre Dame officials, headed by athletic director Kevin White and president-elect John Jenkins, to discuss the possibility of Clements replacing Tyrone Willingham. "Nothing’s imminent, but things could move quickly if Clements impresses during the interview,” the source said. "Notre Dame wants to put this matter behind them as quickly as possible.”’

‘"There are a lot of guys who are going to be playing for their jobs," linebacker and Cleveland native London Fletcher said. "Guys seem to rally around a new coach and want to show him they can make the plays. I expect them to give us a challenge this week."’

‘The Bills have been granted a blackout extension by the NFL until 1:00 PM (ET) on Friday. This week’s Bills-Browns game must be sold out by 1:00 PM tomorrow for the game to be broadcast locally.’

‘I’ve got to take a lot of the blame for our performance in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins last weekend. I should have probably attacked them more with blitzes like I saw other teams do on film. As a defense, we did some stuff out of character and were trying to make plays too much rather than just playing the defense. We’ve got good defensive players and I should have gone after the quarterback right off the bat and not have been so concerned about all the other stuff that was happening.’

‘Bills 31 Browns 14.’

‘"What he projects is an amazing calm and class," said Failla, who was tutored by Clements in 1992 and ’93 at Notre Dame and years later when he made a comeback in football. "He has a presence when you’re around him. You get the sense that this guy really knows what’s going on. I think he’d be tremendous. Recently the Notre Dame situation, particularly the coaching position, has been depicted as an absolutely helpless situation. Well he’s exactly the kind of guy they need."’

‘The Bills were 30th in the NFL in scoring six games into the year, at which point they stood 1-5. They have gone 5-1 since and stand 12th in scoring.’

‘The Bills will be depleted for the rest of the season because starter Mark Campbell is out for the year with a knee injury, and reserve Tim Euhus is expected to miss significant time as well with a knee injury.’

‘"I felt great," Greer said. "It was one of the best moments I’ve experienced. But I knew that that was a beginning. It’s just one step on the ladder. First you got to make the team, then you have to continue to be ambitious and set other goals for yourself. We’re just enjoying the life as of now. We’ve been blessed to be here."’

‘Notre Dame officials are expected to conduct an interview Friday with Bills offensive coordinator Tom Clements for the Irish head coaching position. A university source told the Chicago Tribune that Athletics Director Kevin White, incoming university President Rev. John I. Jenkins and a former Irish football player are to fly to Buffalo today.’

‘"I love him," Ditka said Wednesday. "He is a great coach, a great family man. I got him out of being a lawyer (for the second time when Ditka hired him as an assistant coach with the New Orleans Saints)."’

‘The Buffalo Bills Alumni Foundation held its annual luncheon Wednesday, dispersing more than $50,000 to local charities. The luncheon was held at the Amherst Marriott Hotel.’