Archives for April 16, 2002

‘So the Bills need Bledsoe, and New England needs to get rid of him. Donahoe is considered conservative in his personnel decisions, but given the uncertainty of any rookie’s eventual success in the NFL, is there a safer pick than a proven quarterback who, at 30, should spend at least five more years in his prime?’

‘Over the years, though, he developed into an unquestioned leader among the Bills and something of a media spokesman for the players. By the time he signed a one-day contract so that he could retire in the city where he spent most of his career, Thomas had become one of football’s elder statesmen.’

‘"Our partnership with the Bills makes perfect sense for us and our customers. The new Tops Family Corner will give more Western New Yorkers the chance to see a game up close and in person. Further, through the sale of tickets at Tops locations we will provide greater convenience in purchasing game tickets for all Bills fans."’

‘What’s not to like about this kid? He’s a proven winner, and a proven leader.’

So much for tradition. When free-agent tight end Dave Moore asked for No. 83, the Bills gladly assigned him the number once worn by their all-time leading receiver Andre Reed. The Bills have retired only one number, Jim Kelly’s No. 12, but used to take numbers out of circulation for their all-time greats.

‘"I get a lot of letters, and a lot of them are on people feeling an inability to bring kids to the game," Donahoe said. "We don’t like that. We’ve got to do something to change that perception that might be out there."’

‘The Bills still have not replaced Wegmans as the title sponsor of training camp at St. John Fisher College.’

‘Tops and the Bills have inked a new multi-year deal which enables Bills fans to buy their game tickets at all 114 Tops locations in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio.’

‘Other features of the partnership includes Tops sponsoring a family section at Ralph Wilson Stadium as well as an interactive "Game Day Experience" in the team’s fieldhouse before each Bills home game. Admission to the "Game Day Experience," which previously cost $5, will be free.’

@ They have entered into a multi-year ticket distribution partnership. Under the terms of the agreement, Tickets.com will facilitate ticket sales for Buffalo Bills single game tickets, and additionally all concerts and events occurring at their home venue, Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Even Sam Cowart scratched his head when it came to figuring some of the decisions of the Bills management:

"Why should I be 80 percent on the line of scrimmage when I just went to the Pro Bowl for playing off the ball? That’s what I didn’t understand. I was like, ‘Did you look at any film on me?’ It’s like taking [Bills wide receiver] Eric Moulds and telling him, ‘This year we need you at tight end.’ "