Archives for September 15, 2000

‘Prediction: Bills 20, Jets 17.’

‘Two weeks ago, Mike Cawley was sitting in his Pittsburgh home waiting for the phone to ring. Specifically, he was waiting for the Buffalo Bills to send out a call to the bullpen for an experienced hurler. Since Cawley was the last quarterback cut by the Bills at training camp, he thought he might be summoned back to Buffalo when starter Rob Johnson was injured in the first regular season game. But as he waited for someone from the Bills to dial his number, it was Calgary Stampeders head coach Wally Buono who showed the most interest. Tuesday, Cawley finally answered the call and Buono got his man as the 28-year-old made his Stampeder practice debut and began working towards a spot on the club. Cawley won’t be in the lineup Saturday against Hamilton but should be ready in a week. "If Buffalo would have brought a quarterback in, it would have been me," said the James Madison University product, who agreed to a one-year contract, with a club option for 2001. "I had to take into consideration the fact that I could have been brought back there, that’s why it took a while to decide. "I had to keep my options open. But this is a good option for me and that’s why I’m here."’

‘Stamps GM/head coach Wally Buono had reportedly been courting Cawley for a couple of weeks since his release from the Buffalo Bills. "The things we liked about Mike is he’s had CFL experience, he’s tough, he’s athletic, he’s had some success in the CFL and right now, those quarterbacks are at a premium," said Buono. "And if he can come in and help us then we’ll be better for it."’

‘Bills quarterback Rob Johnson has tendinitis in his right throwing elbow, but it should not prevent him from playing this weekend. "I’ve had it for a while now. It’s just something that I’ve had to deal with," Johnson said on Thursday after he was wincing and grabbing his arm while warming up in practice. "I’ve taken a couple of hits on my elbow. I’ve got some scabs around it. It’s been a little more tender than it has been before. But I’ll be all right."’