Archives for March 2005

‘After the 1985 season, Delamielleure was forced from the game, primarily because he couldn’t add weight to his 260-pound frame. “I was very bitter; 260 got me into the Hall of Fame, and all of a sudden it’s not big enough to play,” he said. “No matter how hard I worked out, I couldn’t get bigger than that. That last year I was barely hanging on. And guys were cheating but nothing was done until a couple of years later.”‘

‘In conjunction with the busy week, the LSU coaches will also host a football coaches clinic from Thursday through Saturday. In addition to Miles, LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, new defensive coordinator Bo Pelini and special teams coordinator Bradley Dale Peveto will be featured speakers. Buffalo Bills special teams coach Bobby April will be the keynote speaker at the clinic, which will be held at the Sheraton Hotel Atrium.’

‘”When I walk away from the game, I won’t think of it as the end of my career,” Troy Vincent says. “I’ve been looking at different alternatives since the day I was drafted, making sure I kept balanced. I didn’t want to be caught off guard.”‘

‘In fact, rather than comparing himself to Marino and Favre as a passing sensation, I’ve got two names that he appears more in line with: Jon Kitna and Trent Dilfer.’

‘It seems the Bills feel Henry’s value is higher than the rest of the league.’

‘”I am very excited about teaming up with the Buffalo Bills to continue something I love and in the stadium where I spent my career,” Kelly said. “My football camp has always been very special to me, and I truly enjoy working with kids and sharing my passion for the game.”‘

‘Ritcher once was listed at 272 pounds in the Bills media guide, but his real playing weight was about 260. He said he played in Super Bowl XXVI at 242. Ritcher said coaches often threatened to replace him with somebody bigger, but he never gave into using steroids, and starred for 14 seasons. He did use nutritional supplements, but gave them up after suffering too many pulled muscles.’

‘Following the departure of Jonas Jennings, Mike Williams might switch to the left side. Either way, Mike Gandy isn’t the answer as a starter. The Bills need someone who can step in and play on the left or right side.’

‘Since 1993 when the league began awarding compensatory draft picks for losing free agents, the Bills have been awarded 20 picks, fourth most in the league. Buffalo won’t be adding to that total this year, however, as it did not receive any of the 32 picks the league has doled out for the 2005 draft. The Bills moves last year didn’t make them eligible for compensation under the formula used. For example, Buffalo did lose star CB Antoine Winfield, but added Pro Bowl veteran CB Troy Vincent.’

‘But put yourself in Hull’s place. You’ve been out of football since 1996, finally finding peace with losing four consecutive Super Bowls. Then, one day out of the blue, a former teammate throws you under the bus like so…’.

‘When it comes to perseverance, it’s not easy being a Christian, nor was it easy for the Bills. “We got our heads caved in four times in a row,” Tasker said, remembering how Coach Marv Levy once said, “What I love about this team is that disappointment doesn’t destroy you, it ticks you off.”‘

‘”I never took one in my life, and if Haslett took them like he said he did, he must have been getting placebos because I played against him and he wasn’t that strong,” DeLamielleure told host Randy Cross, a former All-Pro guard for the San Francisco 49ers. “And to make a statement like that – I coach high school kids and I’m a personal trainer now and I do some other stuff – it sheds a bad light on you. I’ve never taken them and I know a lot of guys who played in that era and they never took them.”‘

‘Having been seemingly dormant for weeks, discussions aimed at a swap of Buffalo Bills tailback Travis Henry and Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle L.J. Shelton were revived at the NFL owners meetings this week, and there is a decent shot the proposed trade will be consummated around draft time. The final hurdle: In addition to getting Shelton, who would replace Jonas Jennings as the starting left tackle, Bills general manager Tom Donahoe also wants to switch spots in the second round.’

‘Mr. Reich is famous for quarterbacking two of the greatest comebacks in college and pro football history. At Maryland, Mr. Reich led the Terrapins back from a 31-0 deficit against Miami, to a 42-40 win. In 1993, the Bills trailed the Houston Oilers in the NFL playoffs 35-3, before a Reich-led comeback resulted in a Bills 41-38 overtime victory. Mr. Reich is now the President of Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, and is on the National Board of Athletes in Action, a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. He is currently writing two books. Created to Compete examines a Christian worldview of competition and Every Play Counts deals with parenting children through youth sports.’

‘The decision to go with J.P. Losman as our quarterback wasn’t immediate. The coaching staff needed some time to look at tape, think it through, and then get away from the offices and take a break. That gave everyone a chance to get their thoughts together. We came back and watched some tape again and just felt if this was our decision that the sooner it happened, the better we could plan the offseason from an offensive perspective. We’re always trying to get ready for the offseason and we build it out in stages. The quicker you can do it the better it is for the team.’