‘Yet this is still Sam Cowart, the playmaker and leader-by-example in the locker room. He doesn’t TALK a good game…he plays one.’
BillsBeat - February 28, 2002
Update on Al Bemiller
@ Al Bemiller was the center for the Bills from 1961-1969 and still lives in Buffalo. Right now he is working for the NY state correctional services as a recreational leader in a prison.
Buffalo Bill to Broadcaster
@ A number of Bills players have made the transition from player to broadcaster and Fred Smerlas, Paul Maguire, Ron Pitts and Ahmad Rashad are just a few.
Rob says he's gone - and glad about it
‘When asked how he felt about leaving the Bills, Johnson sounded more relieved than disappointed.’
Johnson expects to be cut
”’I’m kind of happy,” he said. ”It hasn’t been an easy situation there. Every off-season there’s been something, whether it was me or Doug (Flutie), or new coaches, so it’ll be a fresh start.”’
Time running out on Cowart
‘Working in Cowart’s favor is that his was only a partial tear. Healy said his client has been given second positive opinions by noted orthopedic surgeons in New York, Alabama and Florida.’
Cowart's talks progressing; Bills have other decisions to make
‘"Everybody’s saying, ‘What’s going to happen tomorrow?"’ Healy said. "From our point of view, if nothing does happen tomorrow or even the next day, we have not foreclosed the possibility of still working out something with the Bills."’
BillsBeat - February 27, 2002
Kreutz leads thin free-agent class
Len Pasquerelli rates Sam Cowart 24th best free agent.
Played just one game in 2001 and coming off Achilles surgery, yet asking for a $10.5 million signing bonus. If he regains his sanity, will have a market, since a few more teams are switching to 3-4 front.
Bills not interested in re-signing Carpenter
‘The Buffalo Bills have elected not to offer safety Keion Carpenter a new contract, allowing him to become a free agent on Friday.’
5 of 7 RFAs tendered thus far; 2 EFA's not expected back
@ Chris Brown of WGR reports that Safety Pierson Prioleau has been tendered a qualifying tender offer of $563,000. He joins Shawn Bryson, Jay Foreman, Sheldon Jackson, and Keith Newman as Restricted Free Agents who rights have been kept. Chris Watson and Keion Carpenter have not yet. The Bills have decided not to tender Craig Heimburger an offer; in addition Kenyatta Wright was not tendered an offer but may be back in the Spring.
Greener pastures
‘"What I look at as a real positive is the fact that last January we had 38 players under contract and were $19 million over the cap. This year by the end of the week we’ll have close to 60 players and we’ll be under the cap."’
Falcons' list of GM prospects down to two
‘That would leave Buffalo director of football operations Tom Modrak, a highly accomplished player personnel man, and Seattle executive vice president Mike Reinfeldt, a polished administrator.’
It's time for Bills to sack Johnson
‘History will not judge Rob’s time here kindly.’
AFC East: Free agency breakdown
@ Cowart’s and Johnson’s contracts have issues related to their injures. Beyond those two problems, the Bills shouldn’t have much competition for most of their remaining free agents. Bills observers believe the remaining UFAs shouldn’t receive too much attention on the market, and the Bills certainly would like to have Conaty and [Shawn] Price back for their leadership qualities.
BillsBeat - February 26, 2002
Wilson or Butler responsible for overspending?
@ Butler’s decision [on a five-year, $15 million contract for fast-but-frail receiver/returner Tim Dwight] also is raising questions as to whether past spending sprees in Buffalo genuinely can be attributed to owner Ralph Wilson?s zeal for a Super Bowl title. Really, Butler?s over-the-top deal for Dwight makes Rob Johnson?s money-for-nothing seem downright reasonable.