Archives for July 28, 2002

‘"Buffalo is a great football town," said Kelly, who still lives in the suburbs there. "People are very passionate about the team and support it as well as anywhere in the league. I can’t imagine playing anywhere else than in front of those fans every week."’

‘The event, Friday at the Canton Memorial Civic Center and Cultural Center for the Arts, is where the class of 2002 will receive its NFL Alumni gold jackets as members of the hall of fame.’

‘Bledsoe signs autographs for fans, answers questions with complete sentences and genuinely wants to be here. The same could not be said for Rob Johnson.’

‘”The first mini-camp, I didn’t really get it,” he recalled. “But when I came back, things started coming to me.”‘

UPDATE: Tight end Jay Riemersma was taken off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and began practicing today.

‘Terms of the deal were not immediately available, but the contract is sure to rival that of Eric Moulds, who last year signed a deal worth a little more than $40 million, largest in team history.’

‘If Gray is right, then the high expectations of Bills fans – created by the trade for Drew Bledsoe – just might be realized this season. If the expert analysts are right, and the Bills’ defense needs one more offseason of rebuilding, then the Bills probably are headed for a last-place finish in the AFC East.’

‘But at a time like this, it’s a relief to see the football season looming on the horizon, if only as a distraction from all the disconcerting news that’s swirling around us.’

‘Donahoe has given Williams the tools to field a markedly better team. The essential question for the Bills is whether he’s up to it.’

‘Eleven of the Bills’ 16 games are against running backs who finished among the top 12 in the league last season.’

UPDATE: Sunday's AM practice has reopened and is now open to the public. The afternoon session is still scheduled for 2:45-4:45 PM.

UPDATE: Due to the inclement weather conditions, Sunday's AM practice has been moved indoors and is closed to the public. The camp is tentatively scheduled to open to the public at 1 PM for the afternoon session (2:45-4:45 PM). Check back for an update later in the day or call the training camp hotline (800-441-5942).

‘4. Drew Bledsoe…..5. Wade Phillips.’

‘Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is believed the contract will run for six years, and Williams’ signing bonus is in the $11 million range.’

‘So when you ask Newman if he thinks media outlets are disrespecting the Bills by picking them to finish last in the AFC East this season despite all the positive changes, it’s hard for the fourth-year linebacker to put up an argument. "When you look at it, how can we disagree with what they’re saying," Newman said Saturday afternoon when he checked in at St. John Fisher College.’