Archives for July 2001

‘"I thought it was nice the way they lined up for the autographs, they didn’t do that last year," said Peck. "They gave enough time for the players to do the autographs, so it was well organized, well put together. I’ll be coming back."’

‘For the first time since Hank Bullough was coach in 1986, the Buffalo Bills wore full pads for a training camp practice yesterday morning. It wasn’t the remake of Braveheart that many had anticipated.’

‘One of the front office survivors from the purge at One Bills Drive was Dwight Adams, the team’s player personnel director. Adams had a big say in the decision to select Fisher out of the Air Force Academy in the seventh round of the 1999 draft. Fisher called him and Adams quickly allayed his fears.’

‘"John was playing the middle linebacker only on first-down packages (for us)," Williams said. "What was decided as an organization was to have as much speed on the field as possible. This defense is all about running. We had to make a decision on the cap, the numbers, and depth on the team."’

‘With the off-season loss of starter and last year’s sack leader Marcellus Wiley, who signed a lucrative free-agent deal with San Diego, the Bills are counting on Flowers to take over on the right side.’

‘One of those players is running back Sammy Morris, who broke out of nowhere to record six total touchdowns in 12 games for Buffalo in 2000. Now, he’s competing with two other young players, Shawn Bryson and Travis Henry, for the starting job, but also he wants to be a leader on the Bills.’

‘Unlike some coaches haunted by their failure to advance to the NFL championship game, Levy holds his head of white hair high despite the crushing defeats in the Super Bowl. Returning to the Super Bowl three times after a heartbreaking, one-point loss in the first appearance was a coaching accomplishment in which Levy takes great pride.’

‘"This training camp definitely has a different feel than the ones we’ve had before since I’ve been here," wide receiver Eric Moulds said. "Any time you’ve got a new environment, a new coaching staff and a new way of doing things, I think guys get excited about that."’

‘"Instead of going through the same old stuff that we’ve done the last five years, I have to study more and pay closer attention in our meetings and really learn this. It’s like a pick-me-up. It’s got me energized out there. Hopefully it’ll have the same effect on the other guys."’

‘Maybe the Bills will surprise everyone, finish 10-6 and make the playoffs. But they could very well go 6-10 in his first season. Will you still love Gregg Williams?’

‘"Getting up at 6 is a lot different than it has been the last few months," said Bills wide receiver Eric Moulds. "I heard (the horn) coming down the hall and I turned over and then it got closer and then I started to get up."’

"You have to go out and be consistent. From the first day I became a starter, I wanted to go out and improve each year and get better. I’m going to try to do that, and each year get better, and make a play here and there to get us over the top. My goal is to get to the Superdome [for Super Bowl XXXVI].

‘An infected tooth kept Pat Williams’ out of training camp workouts Sunday. Williams watched from the sideline as the Bills participated in their first training camp sessions with veterans and rookies. Leif Larsen and Jarrett Procell initially subbed for Williams with the first team.’

‘"There’s an excitement here, a brand new offense, a brand new defense, a new coaching staff and GM, you’ve got a wholesale change here," said tight end Jay Riemersma. "It’s fun, it’s exciting, and I think the practice and tempo that you saw today will continue throughout the practices."’

‘"It’s just a wonderful facility, not just for the players, but for the franchise," Wilson said. "People can come here from all over and watch practice and it creates enthusiasm, especially for the youngsters. Rochester’s a great city and very important to the Bills. They’ve embraced us."’