Archives for March 2006

‘Nall, 26, is expected to compete with Buffalo holdovers Kelly Holcomb and J.P. Losman for the starting spot. Losman was the team’s first-round choice in the 2004 draft, but there is a new staff and a revamped football structure in Buffalo, and general manager Marv Levy and coach Dick Jauron don’t have the same loyalties to him as their predecessors did.’

‘The arrival of Nall could signal the end for one of the Bills’ current QBs. According to a report in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Bills may cut Kelly Holcomb or J.P. Losman and let Nall compete for the starting job with which ever QB remains.’

‘Nall, who will be 27 next month, is 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds. He was a fifth-round draft choice out of Northwestern (La.) State in 2002. Nall has thrown only 33 passes in six game appearances over the past four years. He was the No. 3 QB for the Pack in 2002, 2003 and 2005. He spent most of 2004 as the No. 2.’

‘On Sunday night, Nall reached terms with the Buffalo Bills on a free-agent contract, ending his four-year run with the Green Bay Packers. If Nall, who is close friends with Favre and recently went on a hunting trip with him, thought Favre was going to retire he might not have been so eager to find a job somewhere else.’

‘I think my greatest strength is my speed. Just being able to get off the ball and being able to run, because the defensive scheme we are going to have here in Buffalo, you have to be able to run to take down those tackles and the ball carrier.’

‘New defensive line coach Bill Kollar was a nice addition to Dick Jauron’s staff. Kollar was a tough, intense and high-motor NFL defensive lineman for nine years, and he brings that same approach to coaching. He’s a good teacher of technique and he’ll push his players to perform at a maximum effort. Kollar believes in a rotation system that keeps the linemen fresh and allows them to go hard for however long they are on the field. The defensive line depth chart is incomplete for now. The team has added DT Larry Tripplett and is looking at free agency and the draft to fill out the depth. The defensive linemen who are on the team can expect to work harder than they have before because Kollar won’t accept anything less.’

‘Idonije, 25, is a 6-foot-6, 275-pound defensive end with two years experience. Idonije played about 15 percent of the snaps for the Bears last season, and is highly regarded in Chicago, where Bills defensive coordinator Perry Fewell previously coached.’

‘The thorniest problems on offense have not been confronted so far. Those are to acquire an upgrade on the line to allow the quarterback, whether it be a developing J.P. Losman or journeyman Kelly Holcomb, to receive the time and protection to run a productive passing game as well as to control the line of scrimmage well enough to make Willis McGahee a weekly weapon.’

‘Brian Moorman, one of the Buffalo Bills’ two Pro Bowlers from this past season, will be on hand Saturday for the Hornell Knights of Columbus Sports Night.’

‘The Bears have seven days to match the offer and are leaning toward doing so.’

‘As expected, the Bills signed the youthful Bears backup Saturday to a four-year offer sheet believed to be worth $7.5 million, including a $1.6 million signing bonus. The Bears have a week to decide whether to match the offer and retain him.’

‘Levy signed a restricted free agent for the second time in two days when he reached an agreement Saturday with Chicago Bears defensive end Israel Idonije. On Friday, the Bills signed Arizona Cardinals guard Reggie Wells to a five-year, $17.6 million offer sheet. Idonije’s price was much lower than Wells’. Though the length of his contract wasn’t known, Idonije signed for $1.6 million a year and received a $1.8 million bonus.’

‘Youth is being served in Buffalo’s early foray into free agency.’

‘Offensive line: The Bills set a record for fewest yards gained in a 16-game, non-strike season with 4,122, setting the stage for a major overhaul of their front wall. G Reggie Wells of Arizona, a restricted free agent, and LT Jason Fabini, formerly of the Jets, have been interviewed.’

‘The Bills would like to beef up the competition at DE and like Lions free agent Jared DeVries, who met with coaches at Ralph Wilson Stadium. DeVries played two seasons in Detroit for ex-Lions coordinator Dick Jauron, now the Bills coach. “As soon as Dick got hired in Buffalo, the Bills vaulted to the top of my wish list,” DeVries said. “It’s nice to work with someone you’ve been with before. Dick’s a great guy and a great coach and I’d like to play for him again.” DeVries, a seven-year pro, would push Chris Kelsay opposite Aaron Schobel and take the place of Ryan Denney, who was not re-signed as a free agent.’