Archives for February 2006

‘In conjunction with a major press conference yesterday, Mr. Wilson took part in a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Detroit NFL Youth Education Town and the "Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Field" that will be built adjacent to it. Mr. Wilson donated $100,000 to support the construction of the athletic facility.’

‘"People don’t realize how much blocking he did," said Hull. "When we sent all the receivers out, he was actually the only guy left back there if the defense brought more than five pass rushers. He was asked to block defensive ends, linebackers, cornerbacks. Not only did he have to be an athlete to do it, he needed to know the system."’

‘We have a dysfunctional community and those traits can be seen in the way we react to our football team.’

‘The cost of putting a franchise tag on a cornerback is $5.89 million. Last year the tag for cornerbacks cost $8.8 million. The franchise tag represents the average of the top five salary cap figures for the position the previous season. Denver’s Champ Bailey signed a giant contract with an $18 million bonus in 2004. That inflated the cap figure. It came back down this offseason because fewer top cornerbacks hit the open market in 2005.’

‘”He’s been in positions with teams that run a scheme that I like,” Jauron said of Fewell and the two-deep zone system. “I’ve always had a lot of respect for it. It’s specific. It follows a teaching progression, I like that. You play fast in it, I like all those things. I trust Perry. It’s time for him. I think he’ll do a tremendous job.”‘

‘As great a player as he was – and regardless of what happens in that voting room in Detroit Saturday, there is no question he is one of the all-time NFL greats – Thomas, who did not return phone calls for this story, meant so much more to the Bills than being just a runner and a receiver. “He was a great player, a multi-faceted player, but he was also good for team morale,” said his coach, Marv Levy. “His personality was great. Thurman would speak his mind, but he was never one to say ‘What I say will reflect leadership.’ He’d grumble every now and then, but he was genuine. It wasn’t him being this haughty guy and saying ‘I’m the star around here.'”‘

‘"I’m not going to sit here and say that I deserve it. I have no control over it," Thomas said. "If I do, fine. If I don’t, fine. That has been my whole attitude since I left the game."’

‘There can’t possibly be anything more to say about the Norwood miss, can there? Well, yes, there can.’

‘No one knows how Levy will do as a GM. But for Hoak and LeBeau, he’s an inspiration. At a time when teams are handing key jobs to increasingly younger men, Levy can strike a blow for the NFL’s senior citizens, who feel you can be vital and effective into your late 60s and beyond.’

‘Who is Willie Parker? The Buffalo Bills were asking the same thing after Parker ran for 102 yards, including a 58-yard sprint to set up the game-winning field goal, in the 2004 finale against the Steelers. That coming-out party provided the impetus for a breakout second season for Parker, who ran for 1,202 yards. “That Buffalo game was a turning point for me,” Parker said Wednesday. “It let me know that I could play in the NFL.”‘

‘Mark Campbell has a very unique perspective on the game of football. He starred at Madison Heights Bishop Foley, went on to win a national championship at the University of Michigan, and has played seven years in the National Football League.’

‘While Fairchild’s background is run-oriented — he was Buffalo’s running backs coach under Gregg Williams — his years with passing-game guru Mike Martz in St. Louis have opened his eyes to how good the pass can be.’

‘In Fairchild’s three seasons with the Rams, free agent quarterback Marc Bulger developed into a Pro Bowl player with the Rams’ passing game ranking No. 3 in 2003, No. 5 in 2004 and No. 4 in 2005.’

‘”I have no interest in fixing pot holes in the parking lot,” Levy said.’

‘Both worked under Dick Jauron last season when the new Bills head coach was defensive coordinator and interim head coach with the Detroit Lions.’