The Bills first round draft pick rolled into town Thursday in preparation for the team’s orientation camp for rookies and new free agents. Williams was all smiles at his press conference because he knows where he’s going to begin his NFL career, "I have a home. When you go so many places and visit with so many teams you wonder where am I really going to be? It’s like a big poker game and I was trying to play the draft myself, but with all the possible picks you just never know. Now the difference is I have a place where I feel very accepted."
BillsBeat - April 26, 2002
Bills finally make move in right direction
‘The Bills drafted Texas tackle Mike Williams in the first round, a huge player who will be an immediate starter. Williams will likely play right tackle, which means Jonas Jennings, who played well as a rookie, needs to find a new home. Williams plans to look at Jennings at guard and left tackle, even though the Bills signed Denver lineman Trey Teague in free agency. The team is also high on second-year man Marques Sullivan. "The best five will play," Williams said. "We’ll spend the next couple of months figuring out what’s best for Jonas."’
Williams vows that he's got Bledsoe's back
‘"I talked to Drew last night just briefly, and he said, ‘All right, you got me don’t you?"’ Williams said on Thursday. "And I’m like, ‘Yeah, Drew, I got you Drew. I’m kind of nervous, but I got you, Drew.’ "He’s the captain, and I’m going to work for him. I’m the workhorse."’
Bills Introduce Mike Williams
I talked to Drew last night. He said 'Big boy you ready, you got me don't you?' I'm talking to big time (I thought). 'I got you Drew, I got you Drew.' I'm kind of nervous a bit but I got you Drew. He's the captain. I'm going to work for him. I'm the workhorse.
BillsBeat - April 25, 2002
Photos from Welcome Bledsoe rally
Tom Donahoe on the Jim Rome Show
-Decided Sunday to take off conditions and just make the trade for the pick straight up.
-Spoke highly of RJ as a person and a player but felt his injuries kept him from being a success. Classy treatment of RJ.
-Did say he feels Bledsoe can bring leadership that was lacking. Met him for the first time on the plane flight to Buffalo and said they guy is excited and dialed in on being the Bills QB. Impressed with his character.
-Said the turnout for a 5 minute rally was unbelievable.
-Didn’t want to call the Bills a playoff team yet,the ability of the team to gel and foster some chemistry will go a long way towards their success.
-Said he IS glad the players are starting to talk playoffs. You want the players fired up as that can only lead to good things.
-Said he hasn’t seen such excitement anywhere that he is seeing in Buffalo right now
Bannan to roam in Buffalo
‘Various scouting reports list his strength, intensity and awareness in getting to the ball among his pluses. Conversely, scouts say he sometimes relies too much on his strength when trying to disengage from blockers and lacks an explosive first step.’
Bills take DL Bannan in 5th round
‘"I’m really excited with how it turned out. Just to be taken is an honor," said Bannan, who leaves for Buffalo on Thursday to participate in the team’s first mini-camp. "I’m going to a great organization. They told me they needed help (at defensive tackle) and they made me feel wanted."’
Bills take former GHS standout in seventh round
‘The Bills plan to use Stevenson at outside linebacker and in nickel situations, he said. He’ll also be used on the special teams. Stevenson doesn’t have long to celebrate his selection – he leaves Thursday for the Bills minicamp.’
Buffalo and Bills give Bledsoe the star treatment
‘Those who question Erie County’s unemployment figures would have done well to check the stadium parking lots on Wednesday. What other reason would there be for nearly 2,000 otherwise able-bodied folks to be out tailgating at “The Ralph” on a sunny weekday afternoon? There were even vendors hawking food, drinks and Bills’ merchandise.’
Bledsoe Gets Kelly's Support
As Western New York welcomed Drew Bledsoe to the Bills family the newly acquired quarterback expressed his admiration for the Buffalo franchise. He said he always considered the Bills a high caliber organization. But what made him hold the team in such high regard, even as an opponent, was his respect for the team’s quarterback at that time, "It means a lot to me to follow in the steps of one of my heroes, Jim Kelly, who was a guy that I admired greatly."
Patriots violated a cardinal rule
‘Only a few laws in the NFL are inviolable — unless you’re Al Davis, I mean. One of them is: Don’t eat the yellow snow in Green Bay. And another is: Never trade a starting quarterback to a team in your own division.’
Mini Camp Dates Announced
BUFFALO: April 26-28 (rookies); May 20-23; June 4-7.
Thinking Super Bowl already, fans whoop it up for Bledsoe
‘Bledsoe looked like a rock star – a conservatively dressed rock star.’
Faith, hope and clarity
‘Drew Bledsoe’s arrival has created very high expectations for the Buffalo Bills. Anything less than a winning season and the playoffs would be a disappointment. That’s fine with Bledsoe because he feels the same way.’