Archives for January 2003

What area of the team needs the most help through free agency or the draft?

What are the chances of keeping Peerless Price?

So how does the Bills' salary cap outlook shape up for next year and beyond?

‘For all of Gilchrist’s attributes, he grated on Buffalo Coach Lou Saban. With the Bills riding an eight-game winning streak in 1964, Gilchrist maintains that Saban threw a game in a fit of petulance aimed at him. Gilchrist got the ball only 11 times while quarterbacks Kemp and Daryle Lamonica filled the air with more than 50 passes. To protest Saban’s strategy, Gilchrist benched himself.’

Now the two-time Pro Bowler has made such an impact on the league and his franchise that he is the only animal allowed inside his NFL stadium. This policy appears to be in sharp contrast to Oakland's Network Associates Coliseum, where animals are encouraged to break out reflective black and silver costumes to torture opponents from the Black Hole.

‘As things turned out, Martz had to offer the offensive coordinator’s title to wrest Fairchild from the Bills. "They weren’t amenable to having him come here as a position coach – that would have been a lateral move," Martz said.’

‘The Buffalo Bills’ three candidates – Ralph Wilson, Joe DeLamielleure and James Lofton – are extraordinarily deserving of induction. Here’s why…’.

Bills have interviewed Green Bay assistant offensive line coach Pat Ruel for their vacant ofeensive line position. Ruel has only three years NFL coaching experience, but has been an offensive line coach for 28 years. He has spent the past two years in his current capacity with the Packers following a one-year stint guiding the Detroit Lions offensive line.

Special teams coach Danny Smith will return for at least another year, despite his units’ overall performance drop-off, in which punt and kickoff return yardage declined and opponent kickoff return yardage increased.

The Buffalo Bills announced Friday that five assistant coaches have re-signed contracts. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed. Running backs coach, Steve Fairchild was offered a contract, but elected to pursue other opportunities. That leaves the coaching staff with another position to fill.

‘Buffalo running backs coach Steve Fairchild is in line to join the Rams’ coaching staff, sources in Buffalo and St. Louis have told the Post-Dispatch.’

‘Terms were not disclosed, but a league source said each received a two-year renewal, not just a one-year contract.’

‘Parker, who had a radio call-in show during his Bills years, and former Dallas star Michael Irvin will be the studio analysts alongside host Al Trautwig for NBC’s coverage of the Arena Football League.’

‘Buffalo still has coaching vacancies at offensive line, linebacking and running back.’

Season and individual game tickets in several sections will increase by $3.00 per game. Those sections include lower level sideline seats, upper deck seats, and 200 level seats in the tunnel end zone.

The price for tickets in the Tops Family Section will remain the same and over 500 new seats have been added. That brings the total number of seats in the Tops Family Section to nearly 1,400.

‘Danny Smith (special teams), Fred Graves (receivers), Steve Jackson (safties/third down specialist) Dan Neal (tight end) and Pat Thomas (defensive backs/cornerbacks) all resigned contracts.’

Kicker Steve Christie connected on five field goals and quarterback Jim Kelly returned to the lineup to lead Buffalo to a 29-10 victory over Miami, and a berth in a third straight Super Bowl.