Archives for February 12, 2003

The Bills executed a five-game turnaround from last season, matching the best one-year improvement in franchise history. This season saw a rejuvenation of the offense after the acquisition of QB Drew Bledsoe from the Patriots and a late resurgence by the defense. The foundation is in place for the Bills to be a contender for the AFC title in 2003.

Over the course of the next few weeks, buffalobills.com will give Bills fans the opportunity to nominate and vote on the best of 2002.

My friends asked me, ‘Why Buffalo over Pittsburgh?’ I was like, ‘(Mike) Webster is their (All-NFL) center. How soon do you think he’s not going to be playing?’" Vogler laughed. "I basically picked the Bills because they weren’t a very good team. I thought I had a better opportunity to make the team."

”’You hate to leave a place where they drafted you. But if it’s not in the plans for me to be back here next year, I can’t sit back and sulk over it,” Newman said, a day after the Bills season ended. ”I have to go wherever if I’m leaving, start over and play football.”’

‘While the Bills say they are confident that they can get Dick LeBeau to join the staff, NewsSource 13 has learned that they have extended the contracts of their coordinators, Jerry Gray and Kevin Gilbride.’

What players do you feel improved the most since the end of the 2001 season? Submit your nominations below. Voting on this category will take place on Thursday, February 13.

‘There are other familiar faces to Titans fans with the Bills. In addition to Williams, the Bills also feature former Titans secondary coach Jerry Gray as defensive coordinator. Former Titans defensive back Steve Jackson is also a member of the coaching staff, while ex-Tennessee linebackers Eddie Robinson and Greg Favors are also in Buffalo. Ex-Oilers offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride serves in that role for the Bills. For the Titans it will be a chance to get an earlier glimpse at the rebuilding job being done by “Titans North,” even though the exhibition meeting will have far from a regular season feel on either side.’

‘The Tennessee date avoids a conflict with the PGA golf championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford on Aug. 14-17.’

Linebacker Takeo Spikes was tagged as the Bengals’ transition player, disappointing one of Cincinnati’s top defensive players and emotional leaders.