Archives for August 17, 2000

‘Where was the second practice field? Where was the crowd? The Bills returned to the practice field outside the Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse for a session closed to the public. The cloudy, breezy day was another reminder that fall was coming.’

‘Former Buffalo Bills executive Chuck Burr was reunited with his lost championship ring Wednesday night as he and Paul Hudson, who found the ring, met for the first time. Burr lost his 1964 AFL Championship ring 30 years ago while playing catch on the edge of Lake Erie at Sherkston. Hudson found it in July off Wyldewood Beach at Sherkston Shores while snorkeling with his metal detector.’

‘This year’s camp drew 122,000 fans and was considered a marketing coup, as the Bills tried to further regionalize the team.’

‘Drew Haddad and Josh Roth found their first NFL training camp experience to be a bit wearisome. And they’re glad they had each other as much as they’re glad it’s over. The rookies from the University at Buffalo broke camp with the rest of the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday, departing St. John Fisher College for their local apartments. Haddad, a receiver drafted in the seventh round, and Roth, a free agent fullback, were roommates at camp. Whether things were going well or poorly, their friendship made the experience that much better. "We’re very fortunate to have the opportunity we have," Haddad said. "Every night we would just sit there and joke and talk about the things that happened at UB. "Like when we won (the Bills’ preseason opener) against Cincinnati. That was our first win in a long time."’

‘"Rochester’s nice, but you want to get home, sleep in your own bed and eat your own food," quarterback Rob Johnson said.’

‘"Offense takes a little more time than defense, we’ve got to be totally on the same page, and if one guy screws up, the play doesn’t work."’

‘Early in training camp, Buffalo Bills veteran linebacker Sam Rogers pulled rookie Fred Jones to the side and whispered, in so many words, "Don’t worry kid, you’ve got this team made." When word filtered back to coach Wade Phillips that Rogers might be filling Jones’ head with grandiose praise, he quipped: "I want Sam and the rest of the team to worry about cuts. Maybe Sam better worry about Freddie." Indeed. Jones, like Rogers a product of the University of Colorado, began making plays in practice on Day One and hasn’t stopped. With the first cut to 65 players fast approaching on Tuesday, Mr. Jones is among the few newcomers who can breathe easy, not that he’ll allow himself that pleasure, despite what Rogers has told him. "I’d stress myself out thinking like that," he said. "Every day out here, anything can happen. All I can do is try my best. If it’s not good enough, at least I know I tried."’

‘The new-look Buffalo Bills broke training camp Wednesday with much still to do, but with some pieces firmly in place. With almost three weeks of practices and two preseason games behind them, the Bills relocate to their Orchard Park home to concentrate on the regular season.’