Archives for July 18, 2002

The Bills were in search of linebackers during the 1979 draft and chose Tom Cousineau with the first overall pick and Jim Haslett in the second round. In short, picking Cousineau didn’t really work out too well. However, a rookie linebacker who did work out for Buffalo was free agent Chris Keating.

‘While the Buffalo Bills have enjoyed an active offseason, the recent string of off-the-field incidents involving players is attention the organization can live without.’

‘Buffalo Bills wide receiver Charlie Rogers avoided yesterday’s municipal court hearing on a charge of assaulting an Old Bridge Township police officer by having his lawyer request the case be referred to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.’

‘Tickets to the night practices are free and limited to six per person. The 7 p.m. sessions will include a 25-minute autograph session involving the entire team after the practice.’

Drew Bledsoe, Buffalo: It still feels bizarre to even write the word Buffalo following Bledsoe’s name, but we all better get used to it, because the Bills and him are married to each other for a while. But what a honeymoon it has been. Bledsoe got the rock star treatment in upstate NY this spring, and I for one think he deserved a nice break after handling the events of 2001 in New England with about as much dignity as anyone could have mustered. I’m not certain that Bledsoe remains among the NFL’s elite QBs, but I think he has found himself an up-and-coming team and I’m convinced that he’ll be infused with a motivation this season that hasn’t been part of his game for several years. What do you bet that Bledsoe goes to bed every night counting down the days until those two late-season showdowns with New England?

‘Pucillo, who played guard and center at Auburn, becomes the fifth of the Bills’ 10 draft picks to sign with the team.’

Four days to Final Showdown: When we finally get in there Sunday and hike the ball for real, I’m sure it will be fun and kind of lighthearted in the beginning, but when it starts to get down to when someone has to actually win or lose, I’m sure the fangs are going to come out.