Archives for July 20, 2015

'People were eulogizing him in death, but they paid tribute to him in life every time they turned down their television and turned up the radio. At his best, he was Van-tastic.'

'But, the thing is, he made it so simple and easy to just sit and talk – and laugh – with him. I got a chance to see him a few more times in the press box after that over the past few years, and even though his health was deteriorating, you would never know it by his spirit and enthusiasm. Van cared about you having a good time and took pride in making you smile when he spoke. And how could anyone not do that? His love of life and football was infectious, even at 87.'

'"That's what I remember most was his friendship, positive attitude. No matter how well or poorly we played, we'd get on the plane after a road game and he'd have a one liner or a joke for everybody and a pat on the back."'

'Another area that Watkins can improve is in his route running abilities. Watkins has been a diligent worker when it's come to route running since his days as a Clemson Tiger, but his exposure to the NFL game has demanded a lot more. Bills wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal thinks that he can become an elite wide receiver and that he wouldn’t “put any limits on him.”'