Archives for July 15, 2005

‘Because of his stellar rookie campaign, defenses are now aware of what Evans can do. For that reason, veteran wideout Eric Moulds has told the young receiver to be prepared because opposing teams will be trying that much harder to stop him. "I told him [recently], ‘The second year is your hardest year, because you proved that you can play,’ " Moulds said. "Now they’re going to start game-planning for him. I think that he’s approaching it like, " ‘I want to get better and be a 1,000-yard receiver,’ and I just hope that he’ll come out, play well and work hard."’

‘Del Rio said trading for Henry should not be viewed as a reflection on the team’s feelings about backup running backs LaBrandon Toefield, Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala and rookie Alvin Pearman. “We like all of our guys,” Del Rio said. “We think LaBrandon Toefield can be a very good player. The thing that makes Henry attractive is he’s proved he can do it.”‘

‘Despite reports that the Jacksonville Jaguars are close to acquiring Travis Henry, the Tennessee Titans have made the more attractive trade proposal to the Buffalo Bills and are the front-runner in the chase for the disgruntled tailback.’

‘”The thing that makes Henry attractive is he’s proved he can do it. Any time you have a chance to add somebody at a modest price, you have to look at it,” Del Rio said.’

‘But with the help of Hunter’s Hope – founded in 1997 by former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly and his wife, Jill, after their son was diagnosed with Krabbe – children like Laura have a second chance. “It was a world of difference compared with our first time,” said Carol Cross, Laura’s mother. “When Joshua was born, there was no Hunter’s Hope Web site. The hospital just told us to take him home and make him comfortable.”‘

‘The Jacksonville Jaguars web site says the club is closer to getting the Bills Travis Henry.’

‘”The fact that we have an opportunity to acquire a running back of this kind of talent is something we have to look at, so we’re looking at it. This may or may not happen, but we’re protecting our interests and any time we think we can acquire somebody who can help us we’re going to do that. It looks like it’s coming to a head in the next few days or week,” Del Rio said.’

‘Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said Thursday in a statement released by the team that a deal for Henry, a Pro Bowl selection in 2003, could be completed “in the next few days or week.”‘

‘Because it’s only mid-July and training camp has yet to begin, it wouldn’t make much sense to start speculating which unheralded rookies have a legitimate chance of making the team. It’s simply too early for that. However, we can look back at how some players have found a way to stick around against the odds, and see if that bodes well for any of the current young guns.’