Archives for May 2009

‘”It’s definitely a great opportunity,” Bell said. “I would definitely say it’s my dream now, but I slowly realized it was my dream. The last couple of years, I’ve been working hard trying to get here, and now I’m working hard to stay. You just take it in stride, be cool about everything and go with the flow.”‘

‘”I talked to him for about 15 minutes backstage,” Sargeant said. “Everybody else got his autograph, but I’ll trade an autograph for a conversation. I think I was more nervous backstage talking to him than I was on the stage.”‘

‘They are counting on too many position switches, including ones expected by three of their first four picks, Wood, Levitre and defensive back Jairus Byrd of Oregon. They also plan to switch Oklahoma safety Nic Harris, their fifth-round selection. All four are considered possible starters. Sometime position switches work but more often they don’t.’

‘”Buffalo, N. Y., is my hometown,” he told the crowd on Aug. 18, 1996. “Don’t let anybody tell you it’s not. And I want you to know I learned every lesson in politics and football from being a congressman and a quarterback for the Buffalo Bills.”‘

‘"What I noticed at the Senior Bowl was he competed in the run game," said Bills tight ends coach Charlie Coiner. "That was a rare feat for tight ends coming out this year. There were maybe five or six that really competed in the run game. He was one of them. He didn’t win every battle because of his size and [lack of] strength right now. But he competed and that was enough based on his athletic ability in the pass game."’

‘"I’m a little surprised he was still there, quite frankly," said director of college scouting Tom Modrak, though as a qualifier it must be pointed out that Modrak and other personnel men say that about most of the players they pick.’

‘The cause was cancer, said his son Jimmy Kemp. Jack Kemp’s Washington consulting and lobbying firm, Kemp Partners, announced in January that he had cancer but did not disclose the type.’

‘Mr. Kemp was regarded as an unusual sort of Republican, combining fiscal and social conservatism with support for civil rights, affirmative action and rights for illegal immigrants. He called himself “a bleeding-heart conservative.”‘

‘Kemp was diagnosed with cancer in January, and his swift decline stunned friends and associates. A statement released by his family late Saturday said he died peacefully shortly after 6 p.m. “surrounded by the love of his family and pastor.”‘

‘San Diego businessman Leon Parma, a close friend of Kemp’s since his days with the Chargers in the 1960s, said Kemp found out he was ill after going to a doctor because of a pain in his hip, only to find out that he had cancer that had spread to other parts of his body.’

‘Former President George W. Bush expressed his sorrow after hearing of Kemp’s death. “Laura and I are saddened by the death of Jack Kemp.” he said. “Jack will be remembered for his significant contributions to the Reagan revolution and his steadfast dedication to conservative principles during his long and distinguished career in public service. Jack’s wife Joanne and the rest of the Kemp family are in our thoughts and prayers.”‘

‘He played in the AFL for nine of the 10 years of its existence and appeared in its All-Star game seven times. Also, he played in the AFL championship game five times and set many of the league’s career passing records.’

‘”I also expect that of myself. I don’t want to come in and sit on the bench,” he said. “I’ve come here to compete and work hard and try to get a starting role.”‘

‘Draft picks Eric Wood and Andy Levitre continued to line up at right and left guard respectively. Wood again got a few reps at center during team work. During individual drills, Levitre was also given a few snaps in the pivot.’

‘”I didn’t get to play as much as I wanted to [in college], but I just kept going and just kept hoping somebody would see something in me. I knew I was athletic enough to be here. I can run. I’m strong enough, and I have the size.”‘