Archives for July 18, 2000

‘The 13th castaway has been voted off Buffalo Bills Island. This former OLB was best known for his bone breaking tackle in the AFL Championship Game in 1964. That tackle defined this player’s career, but it wasn’t enough to save him this round.’

‘These are quotes from off-season conversations with free safety Daryl Porter. They don’t include Mike Doser’s questions, rather, it is just pure, uninterrupted comment from Porter about his off-season and preparing for his second year with the team.’

‘The Buffalo Bills made two signings official Monday, announcing contract agreements with third-round draft choice Corey Moore and seventh-round pick Drew Haddad.’

‘The team transferred its operations to Fredonia State in 1981, but it wasn’t until 1987 that the Bills created a personality for the training base. What did it was the coming of Marv Levy as head coach. There would be no more serious contact, much less scrimmaging. There would be an abundance of light sessions. Voices rarely were raised. Observers named the camp "Club Marv," a take-off on "Club Med," the famous string of resorts. Football watchers shook their heads in disapproval. What good could possibly come from such an easy training camp? Try eight winning seasons in the next 10 years, seven division champions and four Super Bowl teams. Rochester should be so kind.’

‘…the Bills think they have a tight end who can do a good impersonation of a fullback in Sheldon Jackson. Jackson is no Gash as a blocker – who is? – but the Bills believe he’s capable. And what they might lose in knock-your-heels-over-your-head blocks they might gain in the element of surprise.’

‘All the activity was proof positive that this will be a different kind of training camp, a mix of marketing, merchandising and star-watching. "Years ago, you wouldn’t see anything like this," Woody Ribbeck, the assistant equipment manager, said of the off-field activities at Fisher. "Everything has changed in football."’