Archives for May 2005

‘"That’s one thing that [Louisville] coach [Bobby] Petrino really harped about, he said that he had a lot of talent in the backfield and not enough balls to go around," Gates said. "We had to do whatever we could to get on the field. … So I’ve been in that situation before and I won’t have a problem being in it again."’

‘”There’s about eight or 10 of the high revenue clubs that seem to be united in a block,” Wilson said. “They are united. They want to keep the disparity.”‘

‘The Buffalo Bills drafted Robertson out of Hinds (Miss.) Community College. He played one season for the Bills before being kicked off the team for drug use. Robertson is wanted in Buffalo on charges of probation violation in connection with a previous drug possession conviction.’

‘Geisinger is hailed for his intelligence and earned a 4.0 grade point average in Pre-Med at Vanderbilt. His physical characteristics and ability to learn quickly make him a versatile player. "He could be a guy that because of his intelligence could also play center," Bills scout Joe Haering said. "He’s one of those kids that if you had him active as a backup on a Sunday, he’ll probably be able to play all three positions if you needed him."’

‘Trafford had open-heart surgery and couldn’t partake in any physical activity for nearly a year because the sternum needed time to heal. Doctors told him he would never play football again.’

‘He becomes the 22nd member of the Bills Wall of Fame, an honor that was created in 1980 to award former players, administration, and coaches who have played significant roles in the team’s history.’

‘”Be ready for the highs and lows in life, the bumps and curves in the road and definitely the achievements and disappointments,” he said, “because they’re definitely going to happen. To me, that’s what life is all about. One thing to remember is, always finish what you start.”‘

‘"I had the opportunity as a student-athlete to excel on the field, and in the classroom," Reed said. "Kutztown prepared me for life’s daunting challenges. I was fortunate to play in the NFL. All of my accomplishments would not have been possible were it not for the pursuit of this college degree. Yeah, I took a little detour, but I got it."’

‘The team is hoping Mike Gandy can solidify the left tackle spot. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Gandy has decent size, and the team thinks he is big and strong enough to handle physical defensive linemen at the point of attack. He’s a smart guy as well with the athletic ability to play in space. If Gandy plays well, the team will probably leave Trey Teague at center to maintain continuity on the rest of the offensive line.’

‘Thomas joins Jim Kelly, Kent Hull, Darryl Talley & Jim Ritcher from the super bowl era that are enshrined on the Bills Wall of Fame.’

‘Reed and his wife, Cyndi, have two children, Auburn, 10, and Andre, 8. ”I wanted them to see how important education is,” Reed said. ”This was 80 percent for them and 20 percent for me.”’

‘Thomas had eight straight years of running for over one thousand yards. The only other backs in NFL history to accomplish that are Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith.’

‘Arkansas Athletic Director Frank Broyles said Ferguson was diagnosed with colon cancer about a month ago and is undergoing chemotherapy at MD Anderson Cancer Center. "Joe is at one of the best cancer hospitals in America," said Broyles, who coached Ferguson when he played for the Razorbacks from 1970-1972. "He’s receiving excellent treatment and is in good spirits." Broyles said he spoke with Ferguson a few days ago. "He feels good that the treatment is working," Broyles said. "But tell everyone to include Joe in their thoughts and prayers."’

”’People come to me now and say ‘you played in four Super Bowls and you didn’t win’ and that’s true, but I ask them what they were doing on those Super Bowl Sundays. … They were watching me,” said Reed, one of 1,036 Kutztown graduates on Saturday. ”All of my success as an NFL player was made possible through my pursuit of a college degree.”’

‘Indeed, Reed’s induction into the Kutztown University Class of 2005 might only be surpassed by his induction into the Canton Class of 2006. “I’m definitely hopeful,” Reed said. “I don’t even know what would happen. When that day comes, it would just be. . . . I don’t know. I’d have to change my whole thinking.”‘