Archives for September 6, 2002

‘On Sunday, Cowart will play first and second downs, but will gradually be worked into third down situations once he tests his Achilles to assess whether it’s ready for the rigors of pass coverage.’

26 players currently on the 53-man roster are appearing in a Bills uniform for the first time. In addition to the new personnel on the field, Kevin Gilbride joined the Bills staff as offensive coordinator in February of 2002, bringing 12 years of NFL coaching experience to the staff.

‘The former Bills Pro Bowler will start at weak-side linebacker for the Jets. He is healthy. But whether he is back to being the dominating, sideline-to-sideline tackling machine he was with the Bills remains uncertain.’

‘Through the team’s marketing partnership with Tops Friendly Markets, the Bills are offering discounts of nearly 30 percent on four-packs of tickets for the alcohol-free Tops Family Corner. It’s the first time the Bills have offered discounted individual game tickets.’

‘"He adds a real sense of legitimacy," Bills linebacker London Fletcher said. "You have to respect our quarterback position, because he does have the ability to put up 400 yards on a given week if you’re not on top of your game from a defensive-secondary standpoint."’

‘Defensive tackle Pat Williams is well past missing Cowart. “It won’t be weird,” Williams said. “It’s a business now. He’s over there. He’s the enemy. I’ll talk to him after the game — once we whup them.”‘

‘Eleven of their 16 games overall will be against a running back who gained 1,000 yards in 2001.’

‘”Bills All Access with Steve Tasker”…”The Gregg Williams Show”.’

‘”I’m sure he has a big chip on his shoulder after what happened last year,” former teammate Curtis Martin said yesterday. “For Drew, it’s probably like starting his career over. I’m sure he feels he has a lot to prove.”‘

‘”He’s basically starting over again,” Mickens said. “He’s their best quarterback since Jim Kelly, and we all know what Jim Kelly did for them.”‘

‘Jack Kemp, the ex-Bills quarterback and onetime vice presidential hopeful, was instrumental in helping Goodwin get on the nationwide list of cardiac patients in need of a new heart. Goodwin, his former Bills teammate in the mid-’60s, said Kemp also has paid for some of his medication. Bills owner Ralph Wilson has been another big supporter.’

‘9:15 a.m. – Manhattan-bound ambulance with donor heart crosses George Washington Bridge.

9:21 a.m. – The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey closes all bridges and tunnels.’

‘Cowart rejected Buffalo’s contract offer because he felt it amounted to a one-year audition. That seemed to be a slap in the face for Cowart, who had made the Pro Bowl in 2000 with 181 tackles in 12 games and had worked out in Buffalo in January and February, so team executives knew how he was progressing.’