Archives for September 2002

Ben Williams was in a word – refreshing, when he joined the Bills in 1976. Selected in the third round out of the University of Mississippi, the All-Southeastern Conference defensive lineman didn’t arrive in Buffalo with the attitude that the NFL deserved him or vice-versa.

Quarterback Drew Bledsoe threw a crushing block on Jets 305-pound defensive tackle Jason Ferguson on a reverse to wide receiver Peerless Price in Buffalo's first drive Sunday.

‘The game will be televised by CBS (Channel 4 in the Twin Cities) with Brent Jones and Gus Johnson calling the action.’

‘The Gallivans were joined for the campaign kickoff on the 20-yard-line by Buffalo Bills president and General Manager Tom Donahoe, Bills offensive guard Ruben Brown, United Way President Arlene F. Kaukus and more than 30 United Way volunteers plus staff members. Brown, the Bills’ United Way spokesman, will appear in this year’s National Football League-United Way commercial for the Bills.’

Sunday's pregame ceremony was a fantastic display of national pride as well as a tribute to the victims, the survivors and the heros of 9/11.

As we pause to reflect on the tragic events that happened on Sept. 11, 2001, the Bills spent time on Tuesday (Sept. 10) honoring Buffalo firefighters.

‘Sept. 11, 2001, will stand as one of the worst days in U.S. history, but it marked a second chance for Goodwin, a fullback with the Buffalo Bills in 1965-66 in the American Football League.’

Perhaps no Bills player worked harder to prepare for the 2002 season than second-year running back Travis Henry. Last Sunday vs. the Jets, that hard work started to pay dividends as Henry registered career-highs with 149 yards on 31 carries and 3 rushing TDs (5, 3, and 2 yards).

Throughout the game, Drew’s crew fed off their new leader. He stood in the pocket time and time again, taking hard hits and bouncing right back up. After completions he would sprint down the field, slap "five" with the receiver, and then beckon his other teammates to run after him. And he made play after play, finishing 26-of-39 for 271 yards.

Most Impressive in Defeat

#2. Bills 31, Jets 37 — Set aside the disastrous kick coverages and the Bills served notice that all the "hype" about their offseason upgrades was well-deserved. Not only did Drew Bledsoe play phenomenal football, but there wasn’t a more impressive running back in Week 1 than Travis Henry.

The NFL kicked off its 83rd season this past week, and any way you slice it, it was exciting, unpredictable and just plain wild. The New York Times said, “Never in the 83-year history of the league had there been a Week 1 like this.”

Throughout the 2002 season, the Bills and Tops will present the Game Ball of the Week to the Bills player chosen by you, the fans, as that week's MVP. This week's winner is Travis Henry.

‘The understandable focus on special teams obscured the fact Buffalo did a number of good things against New York.’

‘The Bills weren’t pointing fingers Monday toward their special teams as the source of their defeat, perhaps because it was obvious.’

‘Moulds’ message was simple and forceful: The special teams did not lose this football game, guys. Remember, we win as a team and we lose as a team. So once those doors open, make sure there’s no finger-pointing. But people pointed fingers, anyway – at themselves.’