Archives for August 2005

‘A year ago he was the long-shot curiosity of Buffalo Bills training camp. Today he is the Bills’ secret weapon.’

‘”I guess they felt they had to get their money’s worth out of us. It was good work, a good change of pace,” said Spikes of the busy two days of joint practices and the three-hour scrimmage. “You get tired of beating up on each other, so this was great to come out here and get some work against Green Bay.”‘

‘”We can’t give up our day,” coach Mike Sherman said. “We’re not going to go anywhere. Our fans plan to come here and plan vacations. We were never going to leave Green Bay, so to have a reciprocal process with somebody else is not going to happen.”‘

‘As someone who has known the Kelly family for nearly 20 years, I feel a very personal level of heartache for close friends. However, Hunter’s death is something that has touched countless hearts throughout the world because his life counted for so much more than that of an incredibly brave little boy confronting such a horrific illness.’

Hunter Kelly Was an Inspiration to Many (WIVB-TV)

Hunter Kelly’s Eight Year Fight Against Krabbe’s (WIVB-TV)

Hunter’s Legacy (WGRZ-TV)

Public service for Hunter Kelly to be held on Tuesday (WKBW-TV)

Krabbe Disease Hits Nervous System (RNews.com)

‘The team has the weekend off with two practices coming Monday at St.John Fisher beginning at 8:40 and 2:45.’

‘”He really wasn’t flinching,” said head coach Mike Mularkey. “He looked comfortable in there. I’m sure there are some things we’re going to have to watch the tape and we’ll say he should have or could have. But for the most part I was pretty pleased watching him live.”‘

‘”We use the term “doesn’t flinch,’ ” said Bills coach Mike Mularkey. “He really wasn’t flinching. He looked comfortable in there. I’m sure there’s some things after we watch the tape that we’ll say he should have or could have done. But for the most part I was pretty pleased watching him.”‘

‘Smith was in a one-on-one, pass-blocking drill with a Packers defensive tackle when his knee buckled as he planted his feet against a bull rush. The injury looked like a hyperextension of the knee, at the least. Smith was standing up checking out the knee after the play, then was taken off the field on a cart. Smith did not play in the scrimmage Friday night.’

‘”The family, like with any parents who have lost a child, is devastated,” said John Dudek, interim executive director of Hunter’s Hope Foundation. “While this was expected for some time, it wasn’t expected today.”‘

‘”We have the skills. (But) we needed Kurt to get drafted to get more exposure for the school,” Gudmundsen said. “So, now, I think things will get rolling and we’ll get some more recruits in there and then we’ll get some more pro prospects out of there.”‘

‘”This was special, as far as my first time goes, playing against my favorite player ever in Brett Favre,” Losman said. “I had the jitters just watching him. You’re in awe being in Lambeau Field, and you know you have to put it all together. But I still came out and was successful.”‘

‘Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie noted to Green Bay writers that Buffalo’s beefy line is built for the running game, not pass blocking, and could struggle against quicker defensive fronts. “Their offensive linemen are built to be more maulers, that’s their makeup. They have trouble with quickness,” was McKenzie’s take.’

‘After experiencing full-blown Packermania the past two days and taking lots of notes, Bills owner Ralph Wilson and president and general manager Tom Donahoe said on Friday that they plan to proceed with long-discussed plans to build a Bills Hall of Fame on their stadium campus in Orchard Park.’

‘The boy was rushed to a hospital after he spiked a fever and stopped breathing, said John Dudek, spokesman for Hunter’s Hope Foundation. He had experienced increased difficulty breathing the day before, and was scheduled to go the hospital Friday to be examined. “It’s a very emotional day,” Dudek said. “When you have a child with a terminal disease, you know that someday he will be gone. But this was a surprise.”‘