Archives for May 2005

‘"With the printing business and Thurman Thomas Enterprises, I’m staying busy," Thomas said. "I’m at my office almost everyday or doing stuff with the kids. It’s been good but it’s still a struggle every time I wake up every day. It’s been 6 months but its still a struggle. I try to stay away from going to golf tournaments. I try to stay away from just going out period. It will be a struggle for the rest of my life. But like they say in the A.A. meetings you have to take it one day at a time and that’s what I’ve been doing."’

‘The Bills are planning a four-day fan festival for June 3-5 at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Part of the festivities will include airing the NFL Films documentary "The Comeback," the story of Buffalo’s historic 32-point rally against the Houston Oilers in the 1993 playoffs on the JumoTron in the stadium where the game took place. Said Bills’ special teams star Steve Tasker: "If everybody who has come up to me over the years and said they were there that day (shows up), there will be 1.5 million people in the stands."’

‘”It was a fun place to go to work every day,” he said. “Sure, we had some bickering moments, but I believe those things only drew us closer. We had a great group of guys who we were able to keep together for a long period of time because there wasn’t free agency back then. And we had a great leader in Marv Levy.”‘

‘To a whole generation of fans, the Buffalo Bills’ post-season highlight was their four successive trips to the Super Bowl which all ended in defeat. Yet there was a time, in back-to-back seasons – 1964 and ’65 – that the Bills won it all, claiming the American Football League championship just before the Super Bowl became part of the nation’s sports lore.’

‘Wilson appreciates that viewpoint and would make some allowances, but he added, “If there’s not a compromise, I guarantee you there will not be an extension of the CBA. There will be [uncapped] free agency [in 2007]. Because even though there’s no formed bloc, there are enough owners that see this picture.” If that scenario isn’t scary enough, Wilson warned the NFL could wind up with its first strike since 1987.’

‘Lee likely will not have to contend with disgruntled running back Travis Henry, who has vowed he will not again play for the Bills and missed the start of mandatory minicamp in April. Henry, who rushed for a career-high 1,438 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2002, was relegated to backup duty in October due to the emergence of McGahee, who was a first-round pick in 2003.’

‘Lee asked to be released from the Cowboys last week after Dallas signed free agent running back Anthony Thomas. Lee saw limited action last season, playing in 14 games and rushing for 128 yards on 27 carries.’

‘Lee’s agent, Harold Lewis, said his client is traveling to Orchard Park to sign the deal Sunday. He didn’t disclose terms of the deal. The team declined comment.’

‘Former Cowboys running back ReShard Lee agreed to a two-year deal with the Buffalo Bills, according to his agent, Harold Lewis.’

‘In making the announcements on Thursday, Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe cited a recent NFL survey that showed 75 percent of each team’s fans have never even been in their stadiums, a statistic perhaps attributable to high ticket costs and the fact most games are free on network television. The Bills want to change that by offering a “fan friendly and family friendly” event, Donahoe said.’

‘”The football thing,” Reed said. “(Well)… I just want to be known as Andre the graduate that went back to school, got his degree and now has moved on in life.”‘

‘A viewing of the Bills 1993 playoff win over Houston, the greatest comeback in NFL history, is also part of the celebration along with the unveiling a third game jersey. It will be a throwback to the 1960 era and the Bills will wear it for their season opener against Houston and a yet to be determined road game.’

‘Ed Rutkowski was a receiver on both championship teams and said the group remains close. ”It’s great, because whenever we get back together it’s like we hit the ground running. It doesn’t seem as though it’s been 40 years,” Rutkowski said, thanking team owner Ralph Wilson for honoring the past.’

‘Tom Donahoe says the Bills will wear the third jersey on opening day against Houston and for one road game to be determined.’

‘The four-day carnival will also feature a viewing of an NFL Films special presentation ‘The Comeback – Bills vs. Oilers 1/3/93′ the greatest comeback in NFL history, a WKBW-TV special, an NFL Network television special, the Bills Select-A-Seat event and a performance by Canadian rocker Kim Mitchell.’