‘Remember this: Patrick Ramsey is the reason this deal finally went down.’
BillsBeat - April 22, 2002
Bledsoe deal gives Bills' fans a reason to rejoice
‘Officials said the box office would be indefinitely open throughout the night because of the large amount of interest the trade has generated.’
Bledsoe is traded to Bills
‘The deal apparently went over well in Buffalo. Even before it was announced, the Bills opened their box office to accommodate fans who heard the trade was imminent. Buffalo, which failed to sell out four of its eight home games last season, drew 504,709 fans last year, the lowest since 1987.’
Drew tapped to fill the bill
‘Drew Bledsoe became a Bill yesterday afternoon because Donahoe, Buffalo’s team president and general manager, was more worried about going into next season without the strong-armed former Pro Bowl QB than Belichick was worried about going into training camp with him.’
Bills Meet Pats' Price
‘Bledsoe, who appeared at the early April White House ceremony honoring the Patriots, hasn’t talked to Belichick since the season ended.’
Bledsoe Never Lost Dignity
‘Even when he was the star, Bledsoe never publicly criticized his teammates.’
Chatter Box
‘There is a certain amount of arrogance attached to the Bledsoe trade, otherwise the Patriots would not have dealt him to a division rival. Kraft could have taken less and spared Bledsoe the humiliation of having to revisit Foxboro twice a year for the remainder of his career. Bledsoe will undoubtedly suck it up and take playing the Patriots as an extra special challenge.’
Pats Trade Bledsoe To Division-Rival Bills
‘In fact, if the Bills are a bad team again, which would be no surprise at all, it will strengthen the defending Super Bowl champs, who after yesterday’s trade now own Buffalo’s No. 1 pick in 2003, which could easily be in the top five.’
Bills drew draft-day winner
‘The Patriots, willing to trade their former franchise quarterback within the division after all, accepted a No. 1 draft pick in 2003 for Bledsoe, and heavens to Jim Kelly, the Bills are contenders again.’
Pats Trade Bledsoe To Bills for '03 Pick
‘"We all knew what the situation was," Belichick said of his quarterbacks, Drew Bledsoe and Tom Brady. "A football team can have only one starting quarterback."’
Demoted Pro Bowl quarterback traded to Buffalo for first-round pick in 2003
‘The Super Bowl champion New England Patriots concluded their draft with what they hope is a case of addition by subtraction. In the process, they strengthened one of their rivals in the AFC East.’
Patriots trade Bledsoe to Bills for pick next year
‘Bledsoe has a $5 million salary this season, $5.5 million in 2003 and $6 million in 2004. On Nov. 1, 2004, the Bills will have to decide whether to pay a $7 million option that triggers the remainder (2005-2010) of the contract.’
UVa's Luzar, Tech's Taylor, Ferguson among Day 2 picks
‘"I knew if I wasn’t drafted I would be somewhere as a free agent," said Ferguson, the 251st overall pick. "I really wasn’t too worried about it."’
Donahoe, Bills owner help make trade happen
‘"There’s really a buzz here right now," Donahoe said.’
Buffalo bound
‘Bledsoe told the Patriots he would retire rather than return for his 10th season as a backup to Brady and that he preferred to remain in the AFC East. He turned down a chance to be dealt to Cincinnati.’