Archives for August 22, 2002

"As long as the franchise can remain viable in every way in the National Football League I envision the Bills honoring the lease"

The Houston Texans have claimed defensive end Erik Flowers. Flowers was a first-round draft choice of the Buffalo Bills in 2000. In addition, the Texans have formally signed quarterback Tony Banks.

‘”It was a good camp, obviously there were a lot of new faces, so we had to learn to work together and learn to communicate with each other,” said quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who joined the Bills in April after nine seasons in New England. “We got a lot done. … We’re not ready to play a regular-season game, but we are close.”‘

‘Though he believes the offense has shown considerable progress in training camp, Riemersma realizes there is plenty of work still to be done. "I think we’ve mastered the base offense," he said, "and here in the next few weeks, we can really start to concentrate on what we’re going to be good at during the season."’

The Atlanta Falcons signed veteran safety Henry Jones on Thursday. The 6-0, 200-pound Jones played 10 seasons in Buffalo before being waived last September. He signed with Minnesta and played five games but was waived in October.

"I had chicken wings for the first time on that Saturday (before the game). The waitress said, ‘Have you tried wings?’ I said, ‘No, I could probably eat three or four.’ She said, ‘You’ve got to get them in 10 or 20.’ I said, ‘My God, how can anybody eat 10 or 20 wings?’ She said, ‘How would you like them? Hot, medium or mild?’

‘The 5-foot-9, 190-pound cornerback is locked in a battle for the fourth cornerback spot along with rookie Kevin Thomas, drafted in the sixth round out of UNLV in April. The first three spots are locks with Nate Clements, Antoine Winfield and Chris Watson. Bostic, who last played in the league with the Eagles in 2000, is listed behind Winfield at left cornerback.’

‘Said Bills coach Gregg Williams: "St. John Fisher did a great job putting the camp on and it improved from last year. I think it has to be one of the best camps in the National Football League with the whole production. The fans have been outstanding and we really enjoy them having a good time when they come out to practice because training camp can be hard."’

‘Of the players who stood out during training camp, Williams said first-round draft pick Mike Williams is the "real deal" and second-year running back Travis Henry was productive.’

‘"St. John Fisher did a great job putting the camp on, it improved from last year, and it has to be one of the best in the NFL with the whole production."’

‘They believe a year of endless kicking — starting with a full season in NFL Europe that ran right into the championship game, then winning the punting and kickoff jobs with the Bills in camp for another endless season — deadened his leg by October or so.’

‘They’re playing in a tough division but I think they’ll go 8-8.’

‘"Having been exposed to it for two years, I really don’t know if you could draw up a training camp situation better than what we have here at Fisher," Donahoe said.’

‘Several NFL officials recently visited the camp and have noted the support the team has received throughout Rochester in hopes of boosting its marketing presence beyond the immediate Buffalo area.’

‘As a package, the Bills look, at the very least, intriguing with every possibility they could be a serious spoiler in the AFC East. If the offensive line comes together quickly enough and the defence is able to get its act together, they could be more than spoilers.’