Archives for April 2005

‘Donahoe is still optimistic that a trade can happen, and he might have a willing partner in the Philadelphia Eagles.’

‘He is a physical run blocker and was outstanding as a pass protector at Illinois. He allowed only one sack in his last two college seasons, which should make Bills quarterback J.P. Losman happy.’

‘"I got my choice, which is better for me," Gause said. "My agent talked to a couple of other teams, but the Bills made a better offer and they didn’t draft anybody at my position." The Bills currently have just four defensive ends on their roster, the senior of which has only four years of NFL experience.’

‘Grogan noted the draft meant good news for two former Pack players who he represents, Daryl Towns and Jorge Cordova. Buffalo did not select any linebackers in the draft, which gives Towns, who spent last year on the Bills practice squad, a better chance of making the team.’

‘The selection of Parrish seems to indicate the Bills’ displeasure with their current crop of receivers looking to fill the No. 3 role, most notably Josh Reed, a second-round pick in 2002, and Sam Aiken, a fourth-rounder in ’03. Parrish also will further strengthen the Bills’ top-rated special teams, giving them a punt returner who is a threat to take it all the way each time he catches the ball. They already have a kick returner in Terrence McGee who poses the same threat on kickoffs, with McGee having returned three kicks for touchdowns in 2004.’

‘The team’s defense, ranked No. 2 in the NFL two years running but growing older and suffering a hit at defensive tackle with the loss of free agent Pat Williams (Minnesota), was especially neglected.’

‘Coaxing Matthews back is a coup for the Bills.’

‘Had the Bills hung onto their 2004 first-round pick, they would’ve chosen 20th overall. As it turns out, they would’ve had the chance the select Cal’s Aaron Rodgers, the second-ranked quarterback who went to Green Bay at 24.’

‘The Bills did, however, succeed in achieving a major objective — adding speed to bolster the league’s 27th-ranked passing game. They got that with two University of Miami players, wide receiver Roscoe Parrish and tight end Kevin Everett.’

‘Yet, they haven’t traded for Henry, which would seem to fuel suspicions that their involvement with Buffalo has a lot to do with trying to get Brian Westbrook to sign a long-term contract at a number they can accept. If the Eagles trade for Henry, who has a year left on his contract, they are said to be ready to sign him to a long-term deal, which would pretty much shut the door on one with Westbrook. The Eagles have offered Westbrook a 1-year restricted free-agent tender, for $1.43 million. He hasn’t signed it.’

‘No one completed a trade for Buffalo Bills running back Travis Henry, and Reid continued to leave open the possibility his team would make such a move despite selecting Louisiana Tech tailback Ryan Moats with the 77th pick. ”We’re probably OK right now, [but] we haven’t completely pulled out of the other deal [for Henry],” Reid said after the Eagles finished making their 11th and final draft pick of 2005.’

‘The Bills’ Jim McNally is one of the most respected line coaches in the league, and Preston could be groomed to replace Trey Teague as soon as the 2006 season. "I think it’s going to be a real good opportunity to play,” Preston said. "I’m real confident.”’

‘The club will announce its full list on Monday, but two players known to be signed are Purdue FB John Goldsberry and Wisconsin safety Jim Leonhard. Goldsberry was an inside linebacker when he came to Purdue. Leonhard is a good punt returner.’

‘The decision not to draft defensive tackles is a ringing endorsement of Tim Anderson, who is the favorite to replace Pat Williams (Vikings), and top backup Ron Edwards.’

‘Gudmundsen, who is 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, signed with the Bills less than an hour after the draft ended after a phone call from Bills offensive line coach Jim McNally, who had dinner with Gudmundsen on Easter Sunday. They first met a few years ago, when McNally was a Giants’ assistant and Gudmundsen was working as a security guard at the team’s training camp at UAlbany. "He’s a legend in his field," Gudmundsen said. "I told him I’d be playing for him one day."’