Archives for March 2001

‘Brown, 29, is a fifth-year veteran who spent two seasons each in Pittsburgh (1998-99) and Arizona (1995-96). He was out of football last season. Brown played in Pittsburgh while Bills President and General Manager Tom Donahoe was the Steelers’ director of football operations.’

‘What Mohr also brings is an experienced and competent holder.’

‘Mohr, born in Atlanta, attended Briarwood Academy in Warrenton, about 40 miles west of Augusta, and his offseason home is in nearby Thomson.’

‘…Al Del Greco, cut recently by the Tennessee Titans; Richie Cunningham, who had two strong seasons for the Dallas Cowboys in 1997 and ’98; and Jon Hilbert, who was in the Bills’ training camp last season. GM Tom Donahoe has also not ruled out re-signing Steve Christie…’

‘On the second day of the Bills’ off-season conditioning program — don’t you dare call it a mini-camp — they added free agent defensive back Lance Brown. He has played four NFL seasons with the Cardinals and Steelers, but was out of the league last season after being cut by Pittsburgh.’

‘Yesterday after practice I approached linebackers Keith Newman and Corey Moore and asked them, "Hey, what’s new?" They looked at me like I was an idiot, though I was simply trying to strike up a conversation (my pick-up lines are just as good).’

‘Marcellus Wiley isn’t what you would call a name player. But he is 26 years young, plays a position (defensive end) coaches covet and has improved each year he’s been in the league. That is why San Diego struck quickly to get his signature on a six-year, $40-million contract.’

‘In Buffalo, Brown is reunited with Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe, who drafted Brown for Pittsburgh in the fifth round in 1995 out of Indiana University. He split that season between the Steelers and Arizona Cardinals, played in ’96 for Arizona and returned to play in Pittsburgh for two seasons before being cut last season.’

‘The Atlanta Falcons filled a void Tuesday by signing punter Chris Mohr, who spent the previous 10 seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 11-year veteran replaces Dan Stryzinski, who signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs.’

‘Eleven-year veteran punter Chris Mohr, an Atlanta native released last month by the Buffalo Bills for salary cap reasons, has signed a two-year contract with the Falcons. The financial details were not yet available on the deal.’

‘SportsLine.com’s Len Pasquarelli reports the Atlanta Falcons have signed free agent P Chris Mohr (Bills) to a two-year deal. Financial details have not been released.’

The Buffalo Bills today announced that the team has signed free agent defensive back Lance Brown. In accordance with club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Brown, 29, enters his fifth season in the NFL after spending two years in Pittsburgh (1998-99) and two in Arizona (1995-96). A special teams standout in his two seasons with the Steelers, he recorded 36 special teams tackles and two forced fumbles in the two years. Brown spent the 2000 season out of football.

Brown will join the team on the field during their three-day offseason conditioning program this week. The Bills have two on-field sessions remaining this week, today and tomorrow from 1:30-3:00 PM each day.

‘While the buzz around the recent coaching changes in Buffalo have centered around the West Coast offense, there will be a significant change on the other side of the football as well, as the Bills will be slowly shifting to a 4-3 defense for next season.’

"I’m kind of the guy who encourages them, I’m not so much the teacher. I will tell them what I think, because you just have to, when you are in a position like mine, you just have to encourage them, and give them things to think about because they get enough direct instruction."

‘Coach Gregg Williams confirmed Monday what most observers presumed since he was hired: He wants the four-man line with three linebackers to be the Bills’ base defense. The Bills gave it a whirl for the first time as they opened their offseason conditioning program with the first of three days of practice on the field.’