Archives for June 2006

‘He gives the Bills more depth at middle linebacker behind London Fletcher. Liam Ezekiel, a free agent who made the Bills roster as a rookie last year, has been the backup to Fletcher this spring.’

‘Last season, he was arrested for driving while intoxicated and began to fall out of favor with the coaching staff on and off the field. Watson lost his starting job to veteran Ronald McKinnon before he was placed on injured reserve late in the season with a torn medial collateral knee ligament.’

‘Coach Jauron is definitely a players coach — very prepared and professional. I like him a lot. Coach Fewell is big on being prepared and he’s very serious about us knowing our assignments and executing. He brings a lot to the team with his organization and preparation. Coach Catavolos is a lot like Coach Fewell — very in tune with us defensive backs. We get in and get our business done; he understands us real well and is very professional.’

‘Cooper played for the Frankfurt galaxy this past spring, posting 26 tackles and two sacks.’

‘The often injured TE leaves Buffalo with just 14 catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 draft.’

‘It’s the second time this year that Watson has been traded. He was sent to Miami earlier this offseason but the deal was voided when Eddie Moore, the player the Saints had obtained, failed a physical.’

‘The New Orleans Saints have obtained TE Tim Euhus by trading LB Courtney Watson, the club announced today.’

‘Cooper will use Buffalo’s NFL Europe exemption which was formerly placed on quarterback Tory Woodbury. Woodbury is currently on NFL Europe’s injured reserve list.’

‘”I saw the opportunity here and the coaches liked me,” said Cooper of his decision to sign with the Bills. “They watched a lot of film on me from NFL Europe and in college and they were interested. I had a couple of choices and I thought this was the best fit for me.”‘

‘Ochs suffered an undisclosed injury playing in Frankfurt’s season finale last month. He has been placed on the Bills NFL Europe injury list.’

‘The whole weekend was expected to net in excess of $200,000 for the Kelly for Kids Foundation and the Hunter’s Hope Foundation, said Ann Brooker, Kelly for Kids executive director. "It’s unbelievable," Kelly said. "After about the fifth one, you wonder how long you’re going to do this. You want to think you’re going to have some impact in the City of Buffalo. We’ve raised close to $4 million for Kelly for Kids in the last 20 years for Western New York charities, and that’s unbelievable."’

‘Offering no explanation other than saying it is "my gut feeling," Thomas predicted the Bills’ days in Buffalo are numbered. "I think in the next couple of years you’re going to see the moment that the Bills have an opportunity to leave, or if things are not going well here I think they will pick up and leave," he said. "With Ralph [Wilson, the Bills’ owner] talking about the small market and not being able to compete with the other [big-market] teams, it’s pretty safe to say [they’re leaving]. I would give it three or four years, maybe."’

‘Said Thomas: “I know when we played whether it was mandatory or voluntary, we showed up. “We didn’t do a lot, but we showed up (laughter). Maybe it’s a different breed now. But he (McGahee) is the main guy for the Bills’ offense and if you want to be a true leader and if you call yourself the best back in the NFL, then you should act like it and show your true colors and be here.”‘

‘Kingsbury spent the last 13 weeks of the season with New York, and made one appearence against Denver. He was drafted out Texas Tech by New England in the sixth round of the 2003 draft.’

‘Quarterback Kliff Kingsbury was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills on Monday after quarterback Craig Ochs was injured playing in NFL Europe.’