Archives for July 29, 2001

‘"You look at it, I think I’d be hard-pressed to find a group in the NFL as deep and as good as this group," Bills rookie receivers coach Fred Graves said.’

"It was good to get started the whole team back together today. Both Tom Donahoe and I were talking at practice on how crisp things were for the first practice, and I want to give credit to these guys for the time they put in the off-season. They started off today without missing a beat from where they left off June 14th, and that was exciting. We did a lot of first situational things this morning. We did a few third down things, but for the most part it was based on both sides of the ball…"

Buffalo Bills President / General Manager Tom Donahoe spoke to Bills' corporate partner Choice One Communications in the Molson Hospitality Tent Friday, July 27.

On behalf of St. John Fisher, President Kathryn Keough presented Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. with a Scholar/Athlete Scholarship fund last night at a special Wegmans/ Buffalo Bills Training Camp Kick Off Event.

Bills All-Pro guard Ruben Brown will participate in a photo opportunity to promote Tackling Hunger 2001, a national hunger relief program conducted by Campbell¹s Chunky Soup and the NFL to benefit food banks across the country.

Pittsford, NY (2:30 PM) – The Bills' veterans arrived at St. John Fisher Saturday afternoon, and the whole 80-man roster was on the field for Sunday morning practice.

‘"I want to play so bad, it hurts. But my time will come. It’s finally good to just totally focus on football for a change."’

‘So who’s your ruby in this year’s camp? Carl Nesmith, the All-Big 12 safety from Kansas who went undrafted? Josh Roth, the former UB fullback who spent last season on the Bills’ practice squad? David Dinkins, the Morehead State quarterback? Mine? Defensive tackle Tyrone Robertson, the very last draft choice.’

‘Coach Gregg Williams is counting on Clements to challenge for major playing time at cornerback and as a punt returner. Clements missed two days of practices, so he has some catching up to do.’

‘Yesterday was just right for a parade, nice and sunny, and not too hot. I made it to the staging area at the high school about 4:45 to prepare for the line up. There were already alot of the convertibles awaiting the players arrival. Ruben Brown was already there, speaking with several fans and signing autographs.’

‘"We had a young Jim Kelly, a young Bruce Smith, a young Andre Reed, a young Thurman Thomas," he said. "The organization was magnificent. How lucky can you get?"’

‘"Three things made Marv a great coach," Polian said. "No. 1 is his complete and total honesty with everyone he comes in contact with. No. 2 is his incredible ability to inspire loyalty and teamwork. No. 3 is his ability to make you feel that what you did, no matter how great or small, was important to the program."

‘"He demanded respect," Spielman said, "but it was automatically given to him by his players because of the kind of coach he was and the kind of person he was."’

‘Williams loves the fact that the national perception of his team is one of indifference. Let the rest of the NFL forget all about the Bills, better for them to sneak up on unassuming opponents this year.’

‘"I’m not a flashy person," he said. "I really don’t need anything now so I don’t feel there’s a reason to go out and spend. That’s one thing my mother and father always stayed on me about — keep a level head. (Blowing my money) won’t be an issue with me."’