Archives for July 2000

‘Shout!’s annual training camp issue will be out on newstands July 14. Here’s an article on the players’ camp itinerary. The issue also includes defensive unit overviews and a complete analysis of how the Bills will use their tight ends and wide receivers. Call 1-800-932-4557 to get your copy.’

‘"The Bills have a good reputation of treating their players fairly," [Flowers’ agent Eric] Metz said. "We’re making progress with Erik, and I’m sure we’ll be able to get a deal done by next week."’

‘Buffalo has 21 victories and a pair of playoff berths in Phillips’ first two seasons, and he’s already lasted longer than he did in Denver. But with the divisions’s toughest schedule and a younger team than Bills fans have grown used to, a third trip to the first round is anything but assured.’

‘When [Katherine] Keough [president of St. John Fisher College] presented the idea of hosting the team’s training camp to her board of trustees, some members rolled their eyes. But heads began to nod "yes" when she sold it as "an academic partnership," providing Fisher students with hands-on learning opportunities in areas from marketing to food service.’

Unless the two sides can agree on a long-term extension – which seems unlikely because of the salary cap – Bills WR Eric Moulds will become an unrestricted free agent following the 2000 season. Moulds’ agent, Harry Henderson, told PFW that he has talked with the Bills a few times this year but that "they weren’t in the range of money we expect to get for Eric."

Comments on Wiley, Flowers, and some good info on Buffalo’s NFL Europe signings.

‘The 10th castaway has been voted off Buffalo Bills Island. This former OG was the vocal leader of the group known as "the Electric Company", the line that paved the way for OJ Simpson’s magical 2000 yard season in 1973.’

"Fourth-round selection Avion Black of Tennessee State became the fourth of the eight 2000 Buffalo Bills draft picks to sign with the team. A wide receiver who caught 47 passes for 893 yards last season for the Tigers, Black will contend for kickoff return duties with Buffalo."

"You Make the Call" is a presentation of both real and imagined NFL scenarios, where we invite you to "make the call" based upon the Official Rules for the NFL for 1999. Good luck, because you’ll need it.

‘Buffalo Bills defensive end Marcellus Wiley, considered Bruce Smith’s successor on the right side, will miss all of training camp while he recovers from back surgery. Doctors repaired a bulging disc in his lower back last weekend, and he will be sidelined four to six weeks. Wiley hurt his back while working out on his own two weeks ago. He was expected to be released from hospital Monday and begin rehabilitation next week.’

‘The 8th castaway has been voted off Buffalo Bills Island. This former Bill was a steady player who showed up to play every week. His career spanned 7 years with the Bills and 3 more with the Denver Broncos.’

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

‘The novelty of training camp in Fredonia had long worn off and attendance there waned in recent years. Estimated figures say about 10,000 spectators watched the team during the course of the approximately three-week training camp period. The Bills are optimistic that 10 or 15 times that number will sample training camp this summer.’

‘Those interests already are being boosted: The Wegmans-Bills pairing has attracted attention across the NFL. While almost every NFL team has some sort of relationship with a local supermarket, said Chris Widmaire, a league spokesman, the Bills-Wegmans matchup is "unique to the entire NFL." "When we have league meetings and the Bills make presentations about their relationship with Wegmans," said Widmaire, "people are blown away by the breadth and depth of it."’

‘Starting right end Marcellus Wiley will undergo surgery today [Saturday] to correct a bulging disk in his lower back and will be sidelined between four to six weeks, according to media reports. It comes as a shock because Wiley showed no signs of problems in any of the mini-camps.’