Lori

To know the true measure of the man, read this story about Doug Goodwin, Kemp's Bills teammate: ESPN.com: Within a heartbeat of tragedy

I believe their information is incorrect, and Jim Kelly's No. 12 remains the only officially-retired number in franchise history. It's true that Collins was the first player to wear it after Kemp, but George Wilson also donned No. 15 before he switched to safety, as shown in the 2007 media guide. Scott Pitoniak wrote about Kemp this morning: A tribute to late Bills QB Jack Kemp

A friend told me this announcement might be coming soon. Can't tell you how much I wish that warning had been wrong, and damn, it's tough to type when I can't read the screen. To put it simply, John French Kemp was the greatest man I've ever known, and it was an honor and a privilege to work for his 1988 Presidential campaign. And by work, I mean the lowest-level volunteer stuff -- manning phone banks, stuffing envelopes, even holding up an "M" placard when we spelled out his name in the back of the auditorium where his primary opponent, Vice-President Bush, was speaking. Didn't care. It was worth it, because this young, idealistic Campus Republican believed, even before I ever met him. After he dropped out of the race, I still wrote him in on my ballot that November, and did the same in '92 even though he didn't run. And I still believe this country would have been far different if he had been elected. My thoughts are with Joanne and the kids tonight, and with the entire Bills family. What a horrible, horrible week. God bless you, No. 15. Rest well.

I have no way of knowing how good Tyler's sources are, but I'd definitely hesitate to call it a fanboy thing. He's actually a Packers fan, and oh yeah, a journalism major at Syracuse. Believe he covered a couple of preseason games at Lambeau last summer while interning at the Shawano Leader, a small daily in Wisconsin, and he's been writing for the Olean Times Herald since he was in high school. So, it wouldn't be a stretch to think he's got a few recognizable names stored in his cellphone contact list.

Jason Taylor, John Abraham, and Trent Cole disagree ...

Forgot about that. You're right ... or at least you were, until Pat Thomas signed. Current roster has him with 59: http://www.buffalobills.com/team/roster.html

No. I figure it's off by about 15-20 pounds in each case, which keeps the margin the same.

Please please PLEASE let it be 58. (He wore 59 in college, but Kawika has that number here.)

Quick, simple answer: He wasn't speaking to the media last night. Same with Jauron. And no, I didn't give it "top story" billing, which is the only way I can put something on the front page.

"Fitzpatpatsack"? Nice. I'll have to remember that one.

Friends, nothing more. Besides, he has a great wife and two incredibly cute kids. And I think that's as far as we need to go on that topic.

Actually, Tim's at least 6'2". That's what surprised me when someone mistook him for Paul Peck. I talked to Paul for a few minutes last night, and I'm not sure he's anything over 5'11".

Remember that Hull and Ritcher played in the high 270s. Wolford was listed at 296. Parker and Davis were a little bigger, but neither of them was exactly Bennie Anderson size, either. Now, the other guys are all 315-pounders -- Fowler was a veritable lightweight at 295 -- and Walker still stands out.

Nope. Ballard is listed at 6-6, 328 in the 1992 media guide. Walker's got that beat by the weight of a small child.

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Busted. I like your headline better, too.

Um, I don't think the media typically staffs too many Booster Club meetings ... Start 4-12s today. I should probably still be asleep. Ah well.

Tim is kicking off his chat a couple hours earlier than usual today, so he can stop in at the Dolphins' rookie minicamp this afternoon: http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=26249 Sully got his out of the way on Wednesday, so he can be in Amherst, Mass. this weekend to watch his daughter graduate from college. (Congrats!) Mark Gaughan is back, though, and is scheduled to be in the BillBoard house in a few minutes: http://buffalonews.typepad.com/billboard/

They ran a banner at the top of A-1 in yesterday's OTH: SWINE FLU MAY BE IN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY. Bold black type with a red shadow. Very eye-catching.

Appreciate all the kind words, everyone. Yes, Kelsay was there. (#89 noted that he's changed hairstyles, going with a longer, slicked-back look.) He spoke at some length about the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation and what a great honor it was to receive the award, and that he felt "out of his realm" when comparing his reason (coming back from ankle surgery) against players like Kenichi Udeze, the Vikings DE who battled leukemia, or Matt Bryant, who kicked a game-winning field goal for the Bucs three days after his infant son died. To show you how much the players value the award, 30 of the 32 recipients traveled to Baltimore for the event. "It's something that will really mean a lot to me. Oftentimes throughout your career you're recognized for certain things; this is one thing I'll hang my hat on. It's something I'm really proud of, because it was given to me by my peers -- but also because it stands for something, to get kids out of abusive homes. To be associated with that foundation is a tremendous honor," Kelsay said. For more information on the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation: http://www.edblock.org/about.htm

Ickey Woods was a rookie in 1988, but split time with veteran James Brooks. The line was anchored by Munoz and Montoya, and the other starters were all in at least their third year in the league. For the Bills, Thurman, House Ballard and Don Beebe were really the only young'uns, and Beebe the only second-year guy. Wish I'd had a chance to read this before heading north yesterday.

http://www.twobillsdrive.com/buffalo-bills/game-day/127/

I have only one question about a return to the no-huddle: will Langston Walker be curled up next to an oxygen tank by the end of the second quarter?

Believe that one got vaporized. (Not by me, if you were wondering ...)