Archives for August 2, 2008

‘Rookies and young vets participated in an 18-play scrimmage where tackling to the ground was permitted. "It felt really good to let that out and cross that line a little bit," said safety John Wendling. "But it’s still your own teammates, so we’re looking forward to seeing someone different across the ball and being able to just go at it with them. So we’re looking forward to the preseason."’

‘Bowen was the 147th overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft out of Iowa State. The 6-foot-1, 222-pounder was an All-Big 12 first-team selection at linebacker in his senior year, starting all 12 games and leading the team with 99 tackles and a Big 12 best five forced fumbles.’

‘”We met with him during the free agency period and we were all impressed with him,” coach Dick Jauron said after Saturday’s practice. “We know a good deal about him. We’re probably a little bit fortunate and lucky that he’s available. We talked about signing him earlier in the week, and thought it might be a good idea. As soon as Alvin suffered the injury, we knew it was more than a good idea, it was almost a necessity.”‘

‘Spragan arrived at the St. John Fisher campus shortly after 9 am and signed his contract less than an hour later. Due to logistics it was uncertain as to whether he would make it onto the field in time for the team’s morning practice.’

‘As part of this effort, Gatorade will oversee league-wide Gatorade Donation Days at training camp to raise money to further the awareness and educational efforts of the Kendrick Fincher Memorial Foundation (KFMF), which was founded by Mike and Rhonda Fincher in memory of their son, Kendrick, who succumbed to complications from heat stroke during the summer of 1995. Gatorade will collect donations in the vendor tent at the Bills Verizon Wireless Training Camp during the Bills night practices on August 5 and August 6.’

‘What is unusual in Peters’ case is the silent treatment he is giving the Bills. He hasn’t replied to any text messages or voice mails left by team officials and he’s had very little contact with his teammates.’

‘The 6-foot-3, 242-pounder started five games for the Dolphins last year, and nine in both 2006 and ’05. He was a full-time starter for the Broncos in 2004.’

‘”Bud [ Carpenter, the Bills’ head trainer] and I talked about Mitchell and Marcus and Chris Kelsay, some of our guys who aren’t old guys but have experience and played a lot of football, to back them off a little bit today,” Jauron said. “We’ll go hard tomorrow and then they’ll have almost a two-day break to recuperate and get ready for the next week.”‘

‘"I was on the free-agent market just one minute before they called," Mitchell was saying after a recent Bills training camp practice at St. John Fisher College. "It didn’t take very long for them to make me feel really wanted and for me to realize that they were the right fit for me."’

‘Jauron said Bowen was resting comfortably after practice and would be taken to the hospital for tests.’

‘Gill and Kelly have struck a friendship, one that seems improbable, yet perfect. Kelly was known as a wild child, a guy who relished his role as King of the Queen City. Aside from owning his own bar in town, Kelly was often a regular at spots like The Pier, where groups of adoring fans would try to pat him on the back.’

‘Members of the NFL officiating team visited training camp Tuesday and addressed the media on various rules changes and points of emphasis for the 2008 season. Included in the rules changes for 2008 is the elimination of the force-out rule.’

‘"Kawika had soreness and tenderness and kind of going into the day (head athletic trainer) Bud (Carpenter) and I talked about he and Marcus (Stroud) and Chris Kelsay, and some of our guys that aren’t old guys, but that have experience and have played a lot of football to kind of back them off a little bit," said Jauron. "We’ll go hard (Saturday) and then they’ll have almost a two day break there to re-cooperate and get into the next week."’

‘" It’s just tough. Tough on him because he’s worked so hard to get the opportunity,” said Bills Head Coach Dick Jauron. “In any event we all understand it’s part of the game. It happens, but it’s never easy to see it or to have it happen like that in a public event. anyway, we are pulling for him."’

‘”I’m trying to be Trent’s best friend,” Hardy said. “Whatever I have to do, if I have to go to his house, I’ll be there.”‘