Archives for April 28, 2006

‘Thomas became the third fastest running back in Bears history to run for over 2,000 career yards – only Walter Payton and Gale Sayers, in terms of games, did it faster.’

‘The Michigan product’s production has slipped the last two years. He gained 404 yards in 2004 with the Bears before rushing for only 92 yards on 43 carries last season when he split time in Dallas and New Orleans.’

‘Before signing as a free agent with the Saints last season, Thomas visited the Bills. This time, he had another reason to make the trip to western New York — new Bills head coach Dick Jauron. Jauron, then head coach of the Bears, selected Thomas out of Michigan in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft.’

‘The Buffalo Bills on Friday signed free agent running back Anthony Thomas, who spent last season with the New Orleans Saints.’

‘"It’s an honor playing for coach (Jauron)," said Thomas. "He’s a good guy and somebody you want to play for. You go out there and lay it on the line for him because he’s one of those special kinds of coaches."’

‘Despite playing well for the Panthers the past two seasons, Carolina showed little interest in re-signing Reyes this spring, in part because they want to move younger players into the lineup. A native of Queens, New York, Reyes considered the Bills in part because of the relative proximity to his family.’

‘Top choice: DT Haloti Ngata – Oregon.’

‘Last October, McGahee reportedly told reporters, “I’m the best back in the league. Case closed.” Then he finished 10th in the league with 1,247 yards with only 3.8 yards per carry and five touchdowns. Even the league’s best back cannot thrive behind arguably the league’s worst offensive line.’

There are bound to be some misses with the draft and free agency, but Levy and company need to hit on the vast majority of moves to give this team a solid foundation for the future. That is why quantity is huge in this draft. The Bills enter the draft with 10 picks, the most since 2002 when they also had 10.

‘The Bills reached a one-year deal with running back Anthony Thomas after agreeing to terms with former Panthers guard Tutan Reyes.’

‘The Panthers drafted guard Evan Mathis in the third round of last year’s draft and believe he’s ready to take over as a starter, so they did not pursue re-signing Reyes. Carolina thinks Mathis has more potential than Reyes. “He’s a young yet experienced offensive lineman who functioned in an offense that worked well last year,” Bills General Manager Marv Levy said.’

‘Bills fans should hang onto their hats because they could be looking at their team’s most compelling draft in years. Trading down is a possibility, so don’t necessarily expect the Buffalo Bills to stay at No. 8. However, one thing’s for sure, they need some major defensive assistance.’

‘With the No. 8 pick, the Bills merely have to select one of the top two defensive tackles available, Haloti Nagata or Brodrick Bunkley, to potentially be better.’

‘But the Panthers didn’t show a lot of interest in retaining him. They used draft picks on interior linemen Evan Mathis and Geoff Hangartner last year and believe that one of them will take Reyes’ spot in the starting lineup.’

‘The early ’90s should’ve been Mardi Gras four years straight. The combination of such glorious talents as Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith and Andre Reed formed a monster more fierce than the Power Rangers’ collective robot and stronger than the force of Captain Planet when those wussy kids put their rings together. These men were like gods among Mount Olympus: They could do nothing wrong, and they enlightened us to the true virtues of life, otherwise known as winning and throwing around an oblong ball.’