Archives for March 25, 2003

‘Unfortunately for Gary, none of those teams has a starting running back job available. Travis Henry is entrenched in Buffalo’s backfield, Fred Taylor in Jacksonville, Tiki Barber in New York and James Stewart in Detroit. What’s left now are backup jobs and backup wages. Most likely, the 27-year-old Gary will sign a one-year contract that allows him to showcase his skills before testing the free-agent waters next winter, when Denver’s former 1,000-yard rusher hopes the need for his services will be greater.’

‘”What we had to ask ourselves is who is he as a kicker? We think he’s a good kicker. But probably at that level ($4.2 million), we wanted a great kicker."’

‘Lindell made 23 of 29 field-goal attempts and all 38 extra- point tries last season for a career-high 107 points. He’s made 58 of 78 career field-goal attempts, including seven of 12 from 50 yards or longer, and has six game-winning kicks. He’s also made all 96 of his extra-point attempts.’

‘Bryson ran for 967 yards and two touchdowns during his first four NFL seasons, all with the Buffalo Bills. Bryson will compete for the backup spot behind James Stewart.’

‘Lindell is not worried about the swirling winds that are common in Ralph Wilson Stadium during the winter. He played at Washington State and kicked for two years at Husky Stadium while the Seahawks’ new facility was being built. “For me it’s just about kicking the ball,” Lindell said.’

‘The 6-3, 330-pound Adams will enter his 10th NFL season after spending 2002 with the AFC champion Oakland Raiders. He spent six seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and two with the Baltimore Ravens and has 29 career sacks.’

Of course, the Class of ’83 will be forever known as the “Year of the Quarterback,” because of the six signal-callers chosen in Round 1 — Elway, Marino, Jim Kelly, Eason, Ken O’Brien and Todd Blackledge. But the overall talent produced in that draft — from top to bottom — makes the quarterback story just one chapter of a blockbuster tale.

In addition to his physical skills, Lindell appeals to Bills officials because of his age, and his potential to stabilize the kicker position for several years.