Two Bills Drive

‘"I definitely want to get back to the Pro Bowl," he said. "I want to make it to the playoffs. I want to win a Super Bowl. I feel the same way. My feelings haven’t changed since we drafted Willis McGahee."’

‘It’s regrettable to see Henry go through this after his terrific season of 2002. But it’s silly to suggest that McGahee will be a distraction to him next season, or that it will hinder his performance. If anything, it’ll make him more determined.’

‘”At the time I felt that way, but after talking to the coaches and getting a better understanding of why they took the pick, I feel a whole lot better about it,” Henry said.’

‘”All those people who think this is a wasted draft pick are going to be eating their words,” says Hurtt, referring to the controversy surrounding the Bills’ selection of McGahee with the 23rd overall pick in last weekend’s NFL draft. “I know a thing or two about knees and I know a thing or two about Willis McGahee. What he’s done in just three months is nothing short of miraculous, and what he will wind up doing for the Buffalo Bills is going to make him a hero in western New York.”‘

As a senior at Iowa State, defensive end Merv Krakau was named All-Big Eight, and was a third-team All-America. In a game against Nebraska that season, he had 11 unassisted tackles, two sacks, deflected three passes, caused two fumbles and recovered two fumbles. Yet when the 1973 NFL draft took place, no less than 343 players were selected before the Bills took Krakau. In fact, he was the 18th player and fourth linebacker chosen by Buffalo during the two-day draft.

”’I look at it as they took the best player available, and grabbing him had nothing to do with me,” said Henry, the NFL’s fifth-leading rusher last season. ”I can only control what I can control. And everything else will play out.”’

"The way I look at it, a lot of people were shocked. Most of the media thought we were going to pick a defensive end and we took a running back. I'm shocked like everybody else. I see the selection as the front office taking the best player available. I don't believe that my fumbling the ball last season had anything to do with it."

Bills running back Travis Herny will be hosting his 1st Annual Celebrity Football Camp Weekend this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Central Florida.

‘Former KU assistant coach Pat Ruel will be Sands’ position coach with the Bills. Sands said he expected to sign his contract today and report to mini-camp Thursday in Buffalo. An intern in KU’s weight room this semester, Sands will graduate next month with a degree in exercise science.’

Quarterback Drew Bledsoe visited relatives in Portland, Oregon recently and visited the Portland United Bills Supporters (PUBS) chapter of Bills Backers.

Former Bills receiver Andre Reed will be in the broadcast booth this weekend providing commentary on Fox Sports Net's national broadcast of NFL Europe's game of the week.

‘Paris Jackson’s roots may be a little hard to trace, but there’s no doubt about the strides he’s made in his football career.’

Honorable mention All-ACC guard…first-team Strength All-American in 2001…started at three positions over his Clemson career…second on the Tigers in knockdown blocks in 2001 with 130…finished his career strong with 13 in the win over Louisiana Tech in the Humanitarian Bowl.

‘He was flagged for a team-high seven pass interference or illegal contact penalties. He also had one other penalty, a roughing-the-kicker call in New York on a 26-yard field-goal attempt. It gave the Jets first-and-goal at the 4 and started New York on the path to an easy win.’

‘Buffalo Bills: Rolling dice on McGahee, but why not gamble on potential greatness? Second-round DE Chris Kelsay is first-round talent. Next three picks (LB Angelo Crowell, CB Terrence McGee and WR Sam Aiken) provide depth and special teams help. Grade: B.’