Archives for April 29, 2003

Jim Kelly was drafted with the 14th overall pick in 1983.

Last year, on the second day of the draft, he engineered a trade with the Patriots that brought quarterback Drew Bledsoe and a lot of enthusiasm to Orchard Park. It’s fair to say Buffalo didn’t stand pat this year. About the only bigger surprise (outside of the Bills’ draft-room) would have been if NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced, ‘With the 23rd selection of the 2003 NFL draft, the Buffalo Bills select … LeBron James.’

The Bills today announced that the team has released CB Chris Watson. Watson spent the last three seasons with the Bills and played in 44 games and made 13 starts over that span.

The team has agreed to terms on a contract with OL T.J. Watkins, who was with the Seattle Seahawks as an UDFA during the 2002 preseason. Watkins played collegiately at Clemson, where he played both guard and tackle.

‘That same little voice telling me the Bills just might roll the dice for McGahee, is now telling me not to be at all surprised, if one Willis McGahee is on the field by that time in a Bills uniform, making life miserable for the pro team he grew up watching.’

Good athlete who has made strides as a pass blocker…Has large, soft hands and quickness getting off the line.

Former defensive lineman who made the successful transition to offensive line as a junior … Named team co-captain as a senior, he started 27 games on the offensive line during his career.

Four-year starter at split end who ranked fourth in school history with 149 catches and is eighth in the LSU career record books with 1,843 yards receiving.

The Bills organization was saddened by the news that Henry "Hank" Andrzejewski has passed away at the age of 93.

Ken Simonton continues to haunt the Berlin Thunder, the team that he scored four rushing TDs against in Week 1, gaining 174 all-purpose yards last weekend in the Claymores 34-17 win in Berlin. Simonton gained 140 yards on the ground and 34 yards from 3 receptions.

‘The player considered the best long-snapper in college football – as well as one of the most compelling human-interest stories – was among nine rookie free agents signed by the Buffalo Bills on Monday. Jon Dorenbos, a long-snapper from the University of Texas-El Paso, agreed to terms with the Bills, who have a need at that position. Tight end Jay Riemersma, who was released in February, was the long-snapper last season.’

‘He acknowledged Saturday that he placed calls to McGahee’s cell phone during the draft telecast to make it look like NFL teams were on the line with the running back.’

‘The Buffalo Bills signed 10 college free agents on Monday, including Arizona quarterback Jason Johnson and LSU wide receiver Jerel Myers.’

‘If defensive end Chris Kelsay had been picked in the first round and McGahee in the second round, instead of vice versa, most Buffalo fans who consider GM Tom Donahoe reckless for this move might be calling him a football genius.’

‘”We knew it was a Drew show,” Donahoe said. “We felt Willis McGahee wasn’t going to work out like a running back. The only thing he is going to do is jog straight ahead, lift some weights. We didn’t feel any need to see that. To be honest with you, I was shocked the nine teams went. What did they think they were going to see?”‘

‘He woke up late Sunday afternoon when the phone rang. It was a call letting him know the Buffalo Bills were offering a free-agent contract. The contract arrived in the mail Monday afternoon and he’ll leave for Buffalo on Thursday.’