Archives for February 2002

‘During the football season, NFL players are allowed one day, Tuesday, away from their strict training regimen. The Buffalo Bills view this day, not as a day to rest, but an opportunity to give back to the community that so avidly supports them.’

‘Fina, one of five Bills made available for selection, is too old and his contract too expensive under the criteria Texans general manager Charley Casserly has developed for Monday’s draft.’

‘Levy could help them shed their desperation. He would bring a touch of class and leadership to an organization that has become the laughingstock of the league. And he might just be the right man at the right time for a veteran team that still has enough talent to make a run at the Super Bowl in 2002.’

‘"Any player that was over 30 years old we eliminated from our thinking," Casserly said during a telephone conference call with the media on Wednesday. Casserly added that he doesn’t want to gamble on whether older players can complete the duration of expensive, long-term contracts. That’s a number of strikes against Fina, who turns 33 next month and has five years left on a deal scheduled to pay him $19 million. Fina’s durability is also in question after knee problems forced him to miss three games last season.’

WGR’s Chris Brown has reported that Gregg Williams is considering moving Fina to Center and has been since November.

Buffalo Bills – $6.4 million under

Four-man defensive lines were kings. The Steelers started the 2001 season as the league’s only true 3-4. Gregg Williams eliminated it from the Bills’ game plan after replacing Wade Phillips despite back-to-back playoff seasons.

Gregg Williams hired Kevin Gilbride to oversee the Bills offense this season. That does not mean, however, that Buffalo will make amends with Rob Johnson and bring him back at a drastically reduced salary. I just don’t see how that could happen.

Interview with the King of Speed.

‘Modrak has said often he would leave only for a GM position to his liking. He wouldn’t say if that was Atlanta.’

WR Avion Black and Safety Raion Hill are the only Bills who makes his list.

‘After his ordeal in Buffalo, Wade Phillips isn’t interested in pursuing an NFL head coaching job. At least not any time soon.’

The following players have been allocated for NFL-Europe:

David Dinkins, QB, Amsterdam

Reggie Allen, WR, Amsterdam

Chad Sears, S, Amsterdam

Scott Keys, WR, Berlin

Curtis Alexander, RB, Frankfurt

DeVonte Peterson, DT, Scotland

Jimmy Robinson, LB, Scotland

When the Buffalo Bills add players to their roster, they arrive here from places all over the world. Although many return to these places during the off-season, several players have stayed and made a home for themselves and their families in Buffalo and Western New York. Buffalo has embraced these professional athletes as valuable members of the community.

‘Bills players complained that Sheppard’s game plans were too predictable and didn’t take full advantage of their skills. The Bills think Gilbride will do a better job of that.’