Archives for March 2005

‘The other special teams coaches around the NFL voted for the award.’

‘April’s unit last year finished first in kickoff- and punt-return average, while also tying an NFL record by scoring five touchdown returns. Buffalo’s special teams added a sixth TD when Jason Peters blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone in a 33-17 win at Cincinnati in December.’

‘Bills special teams coach Bobby April has been voted Special Teams Coach of the Year by his peers and will receive the award Tuesday April, 5th at a breakfast award ceremony in Reno, NV.’

‘That’s why it’s important to stop by Gaelic Park on Sunday, meet Jim Kelly and listen to what he has to say. He’s attacking this disease just like he did opposing defenses in the NFL.’

‘Includes "Dinner With Jim Kelly", silent auction, 50/50 raffle, DJ provided by "Good Rockin’ Tonight" and a cash bar.

‘Representatives from five NFL teams — Buffalo, Miami, Green Bay, Philadelphia and Indianapolis — came to the UAlbany campus on Monday to work out Campbell and Gudmundsen. Bills offensive line coach Jim McNally took Gudmundsen out to dinner on Easter Sunday.’

‘”Arizona understands our position, we understand theirs. So probably, unless somebody wants to blink, it’s probably not going to get done. Sometimes as you get closer to the draft, and these ideas that looked like they were dead, they start to take on a new life. “So we will keep the door open and will continue to look, because that is probably the fair thing to do.”‘

‘In an interview with Sirius NFL Radio on Wednesday, Donahoe said he’s still attempting to trade Henry, but added he expects the player to return to Buffalo for the final year of his contract if a deal doesn’t materialize. ”I have heard every threat that there is. It’s just that time of year where people posture,” Donahoe said. ”But to take the year off and not play football, that is professional suicide.”’

‘Q: What about your chances to make the Bills roster?

A: I’m not looking that far. For me, it is important to focus on my team and game right here. I don’t want to cheat myself and the team. I’ll try to get better and improve my game. Anything else is not on my focus right now.’

‘The switch is a risk for Bannan who goes from one side of the ball to the other in the final year of his contract. "It is a risk," Bannan admitted. "I can go over there and it might not pan out like I want it to or the Bills want it to, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take. If all else fails I’ll go back to defense, but this is something I’m looking forward to and I want to help the team and win. If the coaches think I can be a good fit on the other side then why not? I’m ready to give it a shot."’

‘DeLamielleure admitted he and Haslett were hardly fast friends. “I’ll never forget the first time I met that kid,” he recalled. “He wanted to know how much I made. ‘What’s your contract?’ That guy says things without thinking, and it’s typical Jim Haslett, an attention-calling thing. Now he finds out that he looks like (a fool) so now he’s going to back off of it, but I have no sympathy for the guy.”‘

‘But the Bills’ conservative fiscal approach is the right way to go. They are too close to a postseason breakthrough and have worked too hard to get their salary cap under control to start throwing money around.’

‘The Buffalo Bills’ “Memorabilia Collectors Club” plans to hold its first-ever event on this Saturday, April 2 in the Paul Maguire Club at Ralph Wilson Stadium from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.’

‘Here’s the reality: The Bills probably won’t see a better offer. The market for running backs is too soft.’

‘”But I’ve learned a lot. I think it’s been a little smoother this year with a staff in place and you’ve got a system in place. You have a better idea of how you want to do things. There are even some tweaks and some things we’re going to do in training camp that will be easier to put together than it was last year doing it for the first time.”‘