Two Bills Drive

The Bills announced 2002 Training Camp Dates yesterday.

‘Bausch & Lomb, which markets products in 100 countries, already had a three-year business partnership with the Bills. But being the sponsor of training camp gives the company a chance to enhance its visibility, said Mark M. Sieczkarek, Bausch & Lomb’s senior vice president and president of The Americas Region.’

‘Bausch & Lomb replaces Wegmans Food Markets, Inc., which dissolved its marketing partnership with the Bills earlier this year after its request to scale back and sponsor training camp only was rebuffed by the team. Tops Friendly Markets has since become the club’s official supermarket but its contract didn’t include naming rights to the camp like Wegmans had. That opened the door for Bausch & Lomb.’

‘”It’s an excellent way to bring the message of the importance of eye health to the many young people at the camp and the fans who follow the Bills,” he said.’

‘The third training camp at St. John Fisher begins July 24th when rookies are scheduled to report. The rest of the team will arrive on Friday July 26th. The Bills also be holding a scrimmage with the Cleveland Browns at Fisher August 3rd.’

‘Under the deal, the camp at St. John Fisher will be known as the Buffalo Bills Bausch and Lomb training camp. And they’re adding a unique feature this year. B&L will provide vision screening to kids who attend.’

‘Mark Sieczkarek, Bausch & Lomb Senior V.P., said, “[The partnership] reflects a commitment to our community. We haven’t been as active in the community given the issues that we’ve been facing, and we want to get back out there and be seen and heard certainly by our employees and by the community itself.”‘

‘Buffalo Bills President and General Manager Tom Donahoe said, “Bausch & Lomb is a name brand that is respected around the world. We are privileged to have the opportunity to work together as partners in training camp. In addition to the wonderful things we are planning on the marketing front, the opportunities we have to work within the community are equally exciting.”‘

Key dates pertaining to the 2002 Buffalo Bills Bausch & Lomb Training Camp at St. John Fisher College have been announced.

When the Bills acquired the 10-year veteran this off-season, they got more than just an average NFL linebacker. The 6-1, 243-pound Robinson brings the Bills experience, leadership and a vast knowledge of the defensive philosophy that head coach Gregg Williams and defensive coordinator Jerry Gray brought from the Tennessee Titans.

‘"There was a time when I first went to camp in Miami that I had an ashtray in my locker because they were coming off the old school where they used camp to get in shape," Moore said. "Now you have to be ready to go full steam when you come into camp."’

‘Irons passed up an offer to enter General Electric’s Incoming Leadership Program, which would have directed him into management level at the company, to sign with the Bills. ”This guy is going to be a success no matter what he does, whether it’s football or otherwise,” Buffett said. ”He has a good attitude toward life. He handles himself well. You just feel good about him and his future.”’

‘Luring Robinson away from the Titans — they made him a similar $750,000 base-salary offer to stay — was a coup for Buffalo’s coaches. In Robinson, they landed a cerebral player who knows the complicated "46" scheme as well as they do, someone who can explain things to others in the huddle where they can’t be.’

‘Rochester-based Bausch & Lomb Inc., will be the new title sponsor of Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College.’

‘"When I was the player (representative) in Tampa, every year there was a big discussion about off-season workouts," Moore said. "It’s really impressive how far it’s gone. They are a ‘voluntary if you want to win’ kind of thing."”