Archives for April 28, 2003

‘The Buffalo Bills agreed to terms Monday with two wide receivers and two offensive tackles among nine undrafted free agents.’

Four-year starter who is a hard-hitting safety playing with a linebacker's mentality … Has started 42 games during his career … Recorded 293 tackles (194 solos) with 8 stops behind the line of scrimmage, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 13 deflected passes and 6 interceptions in 47 contests.

Pronounced: Dorn-bus…moved from linebacker to fullback in the spring.

Has a strong, thick frame with good foot balance, impressive strength and quickness out of his stance.

‘"He’s crushed," said Phillips referring to Haggan’s late selection. "He thought he was a second-round pick. He’s just crushed. There’s nothing wrong with him. physically at all. This was a huge blow to him in many ways including financially."’

‘Besides, Buffalo’s situation and McGahee’s potential made grabbing him a bet too good to pass up. Especially since Donahoe placed it with found money.’

‘”I don’t think it’s ever been detrimental in football to have depth and competition. For the people who are in personnel, that’s our job, to get as many good football players at as many positions as we can.” He concluded, “That (competition) sorts itself out. Sometimes it’s because of injuries and sometimes it sorts itself out as far as what a player can or can’t do. Some players rise to the occasion in a competitive situation … and some don’t.”‘

The Bills today announced that the team has agreed to terms with 10 undrafted college free agents.
Gary Byrd, OT, Clemson;

Jon Dorenbas, LS, UTEP;

Jerton Evans, S, Virginia;

Anthony Floyd, S, Louisville;

Ken Hilliard, CB. TCU;

Paris Jackson, WR, Utah;

Jason Johnson, QB, Arizona;

Jerel Myers, WR, LSU;

Justin Sands, OT, Kansas;

Randy Thomas, TE, Wake Forest

It’s a business, a tough business. Maybe they figure since you were the 58th pick in 2001, and if they can get 3,600 yards in three years out of you, and turn that into, say, the seventh player in 2004, they’re making a great investment. Those are lots of maybes, but that’s the only way this thing makes any sense to me at all.

General manager Tom Donahoe is one of the best in the business, but taking McGahee will be a decision that might haunt him. They re-grouped nicely to take Kelsay in the second round to help the pass rush.

It’s a good thing the Bills didn’t need a lot of immediate help because they didn’t get much. The team pulled the surprise of the draft by selecting running back Willis McGahee in the first round. This was a questionable selection

‘Even Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. said Sunday he had no idea the Bills would take McGahee until "about a half-hour before we made the pick."’

‘It should make for a heck of a race. The Bills are better, but they’re not alone. Miami didn’t have much of a draft, but it signed linebacker Junior Seau to play alongside Zach Thomas. The Dolphins allowed the fewest points in the conference last season and they’re the best defense in the AFC East until someone proves differently.’

‘Aiken’s NFL stock began to rise at the Senior Bowl. He had a great week of practice, showing he could get open against the best college cornerbacks. His strong week culminated in a six-catch, 69-yard outing that earned him offensive MVP honors for the South team.’