Archives for January 11, 2006

‘He credited offseason work with New Orleans-based trainer Mackie Shilstone for improving his consistency on distance kicks. Lindell plans to spend part of the offseason working with Shilstone. Shilstone is a well-known trainer who works with many professional athletes. Lindell said that, in addition to strength, Shilstone’s program helps kickers with balance, which is the key to consistency.’

‘A 39-member panel will vote on the finalists. A candidate must get 80 percent of the vote to be elected with a minimum of three and a maximum of six getting in. If fewer than three get 80 percent, the candidate with the next highest percentage will be elected.’

‘Bills’ owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. and former WR Andre Reed did not make the final list.’

‘”I’ve been approached by a lot of people. Gov. Pataki called me, boy, this is probably 8-to-10 months ago,” Kelly said. “And I’ve said, `Nah, my life, with the way it is right now … there’s no room for any of that in my future that I could see.'”‘

‘Troy Aikman, Warren Moon, Thurman Thomas, and Reggie White, four first-year eligible candidates, are among the 15 finalists who will be considered for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame when the Hall’s Board of Selectors meets in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, February 4, 2006.’

‘Out of this highly experienced and esteemed group of current NFL assistants, the best choice for the Bills is probably Capers.’

‘This wouldn’t be some desperate reach into the past, either. At this point, the Bills would be fortunate to get a coordinator of Cottrell’s caliber. The league’s top assistants won’t be rushing to work here under Mike Mularkey, who just fired half of his staff and will be on thin ice next season.’

‘Yes, each January, as regular as a goose, ESPN begins to advance the Super Bowl by digging deep into the catacombs of NFL Films’ library. There it dusts off some of the best of the best of its stellar productions — mostly ones with postseason themes. Or in the case of the Buffalo Bills, postmortem themes: "Wide-Right" and "The Music City Miracle."’

For the sixth year in a row we do our position by position final exam grades as well as individual player grades for key players at each position. We also will take a look ahead at one might happen with next season’s roster.

‘Seeing people like Levy, who coached the Bills to four straight Super Bowl appearances when he was in his 60s, return as the club’s new general manager sends a powerful message about employing older workers.’

‘Craig Ochs, who quarterbacked the University of Montana to the 2004 Division I-AA title game, has signed a 2-year contract with the Buffalo Bills of the NFL, agent Ken Staninger announced. Staninger, of Missoula, said Ochs visited Buffalo late last week and that the paperwork on the contract came through Tuesday.’