Archives for June 2005

‘A one-time all-pro receiver with the Buffalo Bills, the father of Argos rookie running back Hakim Hill knows a thing or two about how drugs and alcohol can affect a family. J.D. Hill battled drug and alcohol problems during Hakim’s childhood, and acknowledges that his problems took a toll on his youngest son, who has had his own brushes with the law. “A lot of things that happened with Hakim were because his dad wasn’t in the right place spiritually and emotionally,” J.D. Hill said. “I take some responsibility for it … I wasn’t as stable as I should have been.”‘

‘"I didn’t really know the sport by then, so a couple of graduate students from the University at Buffalo took time out from drinking beer to talk me through the action. I knew about Jim Kelly and Randall Cunningham – but they told be about all of the great players in Buffalo. Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, Bruce Smith, Cornelius Bennett and more. I was hooked."’

‘The Buffalo Bills and WGRZ-TV Channel 2 present the 2005 Tennis Futures Tournament held at the Village Glen Tennis and Fitness Club in Williamsville, NY for the fourth year in a row. The tournament begins with a qualifying round this Saturday and ends with the final round on Sunday, July 3.’

‘In what is considered by most a rebuilding year after significant salary cap losses, can the Titans afford Henry? If the Titans truly believe they can be competitive for a playoff spot, they can’t afford not to have Travis Henry.’

‘”We’ve given them a workout program designed for four of the six weeks so they can get away for a couple of weeks and recharge their batteries,” said Mularkey. “The hard part is keeping them focused on football. We want them studying by bringing their notes home and keeping up with that. It’s part of being a disciplined player.”‘

‘”We’ll have a nice day for them, do some fundamentals for them and teach the basic stuff,” said Burns, who added that football was just a small part of his camp. He hopes to enhance kids’ attitudes and help them believe they can do anything.’

‘"Well, one reason [I came back] is I really like this organization. I like the coaching staff. And it’s probably one of the most talented teams I’ve ever been on," Matthews said during the Bills’ final week of Organized Team Activities. "I think we have a chance to definitely get in the playoffs and make some noise. I don’t know if this is going to be my last year or not, but I really feel like this team has a chance."’

‘Gambling on Gandy qualifies as one of the bolder risks of the Tom Donahoe era given the importance of the position, the presence of an untested quarterback and the impatience of a playoff-starved fan base. Gandy wowed no one during four seasons with Chicago, which released him in November convinced he’d never make a suitable transition from Notre Dame guard to pro left tackle.’

‘”He’s a smart guy. He’s been here the whole time, and he’s learning,” added veteran receiver Eric Moulds. “Of course, I’m not going to sit here and say he’s going to be Peyton Manning anytime soon, but he’s going to make some plays. He’s going to surprise a lot of people.”‘

‘The Aug. 13 road contest against Indianapolis will air at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 17. The Aug. 20 home contest against Green Bay will air at 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 22. The Aug. 26 road contest against Chicago will air at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27. The Sept. 2 home contest against Detroit will air at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 4.’

‘"He made some big plays in third down work," said Mike Mularkey. "He did some of the things we’re looking for from him. The more comfortable he gets with his job, I think the more production you’re going to see from him."’

‘RT Mike Williams is enjoying a great offseason. He looked leaner, stronger and quicker during the voluntary organized team activities the past four weeks. Thanks to rigorous training and a stricter diet, the 6-6, 360-pound Williams is in the best shape of his young career.’

‘The thought is that Losman should be able to buy time with his scrambling ability to utilize Evans’ deep speed. Evans and Bledsoe became a deadly combination, but only during those moments when the line performed well.’

‘WR Eric Moulds on why it was important he attend as many voluntary workouts as possible: “I think my situation is a little bit different than a lot of guys, like on defense, because I’ve got a young quarterback (J.P. Losman) that I’ve got to work with so I have to get my timing down with him. And the more time I spend with J.P., the better off I think we’ll be.”‘

‘One day soon, Andre Reed hopes to get the call from Canton telling him he’s going into the pro football Hall of Fame. But for the moment, the former Dieruff High School and Kutztown University star will have to settle for an accolade from the McDonald’s Lehigh Valley All-Star Football Classic Hall of Fame.’