Archives for June 2005

‘"I’m getting more and more comfortable each day," he said. "We did a lot of the same stuff in Cleveland, it’s just different terminology. You just have to take what you knew it by and translate it in your brain with how they call it."’

‘The Buffalo Bills tight end wasted no time once the NFL season ended. One week after the Super Bowl, he packed his bags, got on a plane with a friend, and headed to Tamarindo, Costa Rica, a tiny city on the country’s pacific coast that is known for its spectacular waves.’

‘Vincent, who is entering his 15th year in the NFL and his second with the Buffalo Bills, laughed too. But he had some serious answers for the students: “Love yourself and others and God. Respect yourself and your parents. And always do your best.”‘

‘Stratton was also proud of the recognition his championship teams of the 60s still receive to this day, including last weekend’s Celebration of Champions. “To be a part of those teams and have people remember … their memories are a lot better than mine these days,” he said.’

‘Former Bills linebackers Shane Conlan and Mike Stratton are two of the 11 new inductees into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.’

‘Stratton is best recalled for his performance in Buffalo’s 20-7 win over San Diego in the 1964 AFL championship game. He was credited with the momentum-turning play with a fumble-forcing tackle that knocked Chargers running back Keith Lincoln out of the game. ”If it hadn’t been for that hit, I probably would not have been recognized nearly so nicely as I have been,” Stratton said.’

Buffalo had a quiet spring, but if Losman is what the Bills believe he is, they’ll make plenty of noise come fall and winter.

‘Bills Backers Weekend Package Info…’.

‘Former Buffalo Bills linebackers Shane Conlan and Mike Stratton have been selected for induction into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. The induction, along with nine other members of the Class of 2005, will take place at an awards dinner in October (exact date TBA) at the HSBC Arena in downtown Buffalo.’

‘In fact, the Bills should have brought back the standing buffalo to the helmets three years ago because it represented all the quickness and mobility of Bledsoe.’

‘A program geared toward young males ages 10-18, it will feature five workshops and keynote speaker Joe Burns Jr., a Thomas County Central High School alumnus and professional football player for the Buffalo Bills. “This is where my heart is,” said Burns. “Working with the kids and letting them know they can accomplish anything if they put their minds to it.”‘

‘Kicker Andy Eminger has a tryout with the Buffalo Bills next week and the St. Louis Rams are sending special teams coach Bob Ligashesky to Fawcett to work out Eminger. Knapp is on the Buffalo Bills’ list of tryout invitees.’

‘Losman should have a great career, but he needs to keep his goals realistic in his first year as starter. It’s always good to set high goals, but you have to approach situations with a balanced free to breathe mind frame.’

‘Van Pelt started paying those dues in Frankfurt, Germany this spring as quarterbacks coach of the Frankfurt Galaxy in NFL Europe. He worked with quarterbacks like Akili Smith and B.J. Symons. But he wasn’t just a quarterbacks coach. Van Pelt wore a lot of different hats overseas. "I handled my quarterbacks, did all of the breakdowns, all the installation of what was going in that week with the skill players," said Van Pelt. "I did all the film review with the skill players, and I got to call the plays. It was awesome."’