Archives for March 22, 2003

‘The Buffalo Bills gave Izell Reese a wedding present Friday: a job.’

‘”I consider myself to be able to do a little bit of everything back there, being that I’ve played every position,” said Reese during a visit earlier this week to Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park.’

‘Last season, in Kevin Gilbride’s offense, Centers was a little-used third-down back. And since he never was even a fair blocker, his on-field contribution was marginal, at best, and couldn’t justify his salary, albeit modest. But, that said, Centers was one of the most positive locker room influences in team history … and a media favorite.’

‘The Seahawks will have to make at least one decision by Monday: Whether to match the offer sheet kicker Rian Lindell, a restricted free agent, signed this week with the Buffalo Bills. Don’t expect it to happen, after the pros and cons have been weighed.’

‘The Washington Redskins hope to sign former Pro Bowl fullback Larry Centers, NFL sources said yesterday. Club officials wanted to move quickly to bring about a reunion with Centers after he was released Thursday by the Buffalo Bills, for whom he played the past two seasons after being abruptly cut by then-Redskins coach Marty Schottenheimer.’

‘When Donahoe took over the Bills two years ago, the team was in salary cap hell. Today, there are eight players left from that team, the Bills are $7 million under the salary cap and nobody would laugh if you would suggest that they have a chance to compete for the AFC Championship.’

Don’t count Sam Adams out of the Buffalo Bills’ lineup for 2003 just yet. An NFL source said talks between the defensive tackle and the club are progressing and both sides have stated publicly in the past that they want to get the deal done. It appears that still could happen.

‘One time Centers remarked to my colleague Lary Bump that he trusted the Bills’ coaches and management so much that he felt he could shoot craps with them over the telephone. Now he’s an ex-Bill – I wonder if his opinion of team management has changed.’