Archives for May 2006

‘The Bills’ new defensive coordinator, Perry Fewell, is a disciple of Smith’s Chicago coaching staff who knows what makes the Tampa 2 tick. It may take some time for him and head coach Dick Jauron to install the system in Buffalo, but it should bring great success eventually. Of course, personnel is the most important issue, and the Bills’ players seem more than capable of at least finding themselves in the top half of the league next season in points and yards allowed.’

‘The 2003 season was a very special one for Bills rookie free agent Martin Nance. Of course when you’re a college wide receiver and the quarterback throwing to you is Ben Roethlisberger the odds are good you’re going to have solid stats.’

‘Del City High School, Kalsu’s alma mater, honored him by naming the football stadium after him. Think about him today. He can teach us all about honor and the courage of one’s convictions.’

‘Are there any distinct differences between the old and new coaching staff? Goldsberry: I have noticed that our new coaches have a little more "fire" or aggression on the field. Whereas, it seemed to be too "soft spoken" from the old coaching standpoint. Every coach has his way of getting across to a player. I’m not saying either way is better, but I do prefer a coach that is going to scream and yell if that’s what it takes to get the point across.’

‘Safeties analysis: C-plus. Savvy veteran Troy Vincent leaves a young, but talented group. Rookies Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson have excellent ball skills, but are untested. Rashad Baker and Matt Bowen provide depth.’

‘”I’m just excited about the opportunity,” Price said after the Bills completed the first week of organized team activities. “Of course I know my surroundings so that makes it a little bit easier. I’m just excited to be back here and be a Buffalo Bill and have the opportunity to make plays.”‘

‘Asked about how he’s adjusted to the new regime, Losman had a simple answer. “You just gotta play ball,” he said. “You have to adjust. You play because you love this game. You come out here every day to work hard, but you love playing, you love competing. That’s what it’s all about.”‘

‘In part two of our two-part series on some of Buffalo’s newest offensive linemen we get a better handle on a couple of players in Matt Morgan and Jason Thomas, who have spent some time in the league, but have limited experience on Sundays.’

‘The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Michigan product is hoping the reunion with new Bills coach Dick Jauron, who led the Bears from 1999-2003, turns things around. "When you feel comfortable with somebody and what they are doing, you’re going to go out and give your all for him," Thomas said of his old/new boss. "He’s a player’s coach and a guy that you do anything for. He listens to you, and he knows everything about you."’

‘It’s difficult to tell how close the 6-foot-6 Williams is to achieving his first goal. He won’t reveal his current weight but said that working out in the heat and humidity of Jacksonville instead of snowy Buffalo should help him reach 340. If that happens, Williams vows that fans will see a more energetic player than the one who was frequently criticized for being too sluggish in Buffalo. "Anytime you get lighter, it’s going to help your play," Williams said. "I know how to play at 370 [pounds], but I can be a lot better at 340."’

‘The sessions were voluntary, but one would think that players on a less-than-average NFL team would want to impress a new general manager and coaching staff and get a head start on learning a new system.’

‘Fletcher liked playing with veteran SS Lawyer Milloy the past three years, but he also had to concede that Milloy’s dwindling speed hurt the Bills from a scheme standpoint. Having a strong safety that played mostly in the box, unable to get back in coverage, limited Buffalo’s ability to disguise coverage.’

‘The Bills desperately need to involve their tight end situation again, and Cieslak is a player to watch heading into the summer, though it would appear Royal and Everett, if he can bounce back from ACL surgery, have better size and skill to nail down the top two spots.’

‘The Bills were elated to land defensive backs Ashton Youboty in Round 3 and Ko Simpson in Round 4. Each could have been picked in the first or second round and critics wouldn’t have raised an eyebrow. Why did they fall? "Maybe we’re just smarter than everybody else," Bills scout Joe Haering said with laugh.’

‘At the same time, the Giants signed quarterback Rob Johnson to compete for a backup role behind Eli Manning…In the last two years, Johnson has worked at Camp Quarterback, a renowned camp in California run by his father, Bob, that has helped produce outstanding players including Carson Palmer, Drew Brees and David Carr.’