Archives for August 2002

‘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.’

‘Projected record: 7-9.’

‘Flowers is hopeful a change of scenery and a scheme that relies heavily on its outside pass rushers might resurrect his career.’

‘The Bills today announced that the team has extended its agreement with St. John Fisher College to hold training camp at the school through the summer of 2011.’

‘We could not be happier about the arrangement," Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe said. "I really don’t know if you could draw up a better training camp situation than what we have here at Fisher."’

‘The contract that brought the NFL to Pittsford had two years left on it–until the Bills announced a seven-year extension, keeping the team and the fans through 2011.’

‘The former University of Arizona standout was signed by the Bills as an undrafted free agent in 1999. His best season was in 2000, when he played in 16 games and started six, and had 43 catches for 697 yards. For his career, he has 54 catches for 826 yards and two touchdowns.’

‘The Houston Texans claimed defensive end Erik Flowers, a former first-round draft choice, off waivers Wednesday.’

The San Francisco 49ers, who spent much of the spring attempting to add another veteran WR to their mix, accomplished that goal on Wednesday; the team was awarded Jeremy McDaniel on a waiver claim.

The Houston Texans have claimed DE Erik Flowers. Flowers was a first round draft choice of the Buffalo Bills in 2000. Flowers, 6-4, 273, played 15 games last season with the Bills, starting five. He recorded 37 tackles (20 solo), two sacks and four qb pressures. As a rookie in 2000 he played in all 16 games on special teams and in the defensive line rotation totaling 23 tackles (11 solo), two sacks and one interception.

Interest in former Bills tackle John Fina is heating up, and he hopes to land with a team by the end of the week. Six teams checked in during the past few days, and most want to sign him as a tackle. But a couple of teams, such as the Redskins, are considering him for opportunities at guard. Fina is training in Tucson, Ariz.

The extension is for one year and, added to the original two-year contract Centers signed last summer, ties him to the Bills through the 2003 season. Included is a Signing bonus of 250,000 with a reduction in salary from 800K to 750K giving him $1M for this season and a base of $1.1M next season.

‘"I think we’re starting to understand each other," said Bledsoe, who has looked comfortable in Buffalo’s first two preseason games. "I’m starting to know their body language. I can tell when they’re coming out of cuts and they know what I’m looking for."’

‘"No, I’m not going to do TV," said Williams, who’s outgoing personality has piqued the interest of Buffalo-area broadcasters. "I think I just need to concentrate a little bit more on football. Especially in my rookie year." What’s this? Big Mike without a Mic? "Well," the 370-pound, 6-foot-6 Williams added, "radio is a possibility. We’ll see."’