Archives for April 2003

The Buffalo Bills have agreed to terms on a contract with running back Olandis Gary. Selected in the fourth round of the 1999 draft by the Denver Broncos, Gary has rushed for 1,614 yards in four NFL seasons. In 2002, he ran for 147 yards as a backup to NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Clinton Portis.

A former University of Georgia standout, Gary rushed for 1,159 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie in 1999, replacing fellow Bulldogs star Terrell Davis when the latter sufferd a career-ending knee injury. But Gary suffered a knee injury the following year and has battled to regain the form of his debut campaign. In the past three seasons, Gary has rushed for 455 yards and two touchdowns on 107 attempts. He also has 46 catches for 346 yards.’

So even picking the so-called "best available athlete" isn't that simple. Sprinting times, vertical jumps and senior-year stats don't tell everything. It's far too easy to think a team can pick any player with elite ability and "mold" him into the locker room. You can't shoehorn a guy into a team. Case-in-point: Ryan Leaf.

‘Seeking a third defensive tackle to rotate behind Pat Washington and Sam Adams makes Ty Warren of Texas A&M enticing if he’s still available at No. 23.’

‘Thanks to Donahoe’s work over the past two years, Buffalo enters this draft without a singular glaring need. The Bills still don’t have a pass-rushing end who can remotely approximate the havoc wrought by Smith, but they don’t have to reach for one if he’s not really there.’

WHEN:

Noon ET, Saturday, April 26, 2003 (Rounds 1-3).

11:00 AM ET, Sunday, April 27, 2003 (Rounds 4-7).

The first three rounds will conclude on Saturday by approximately 10:00 PM ET. In 2002, the first round consumed five hours and 48 minutes; the second, three hours and 15 minutes; and the third, one hour and 30 minutes. The draft will resume on Sunday at 11:00 AM ET for the final four rounds, ending at approximately 6:00 PM ET.

The Rhein Fire improved to 2-1 on the year as they defeated the visiting Scottish Claymores 34-17. Ken Simonton was held to 46 total yards but found the endzone for his fifth TD of the season late in the 4th quarter, cutting the Fire lead to 10.

Under the leadership of President and General Manager Tom Donahoe, April 21 has been a significant date. On April 21, 2001, Nate Clements from Ohio State was the Bills' No. 1 pick (21st overall) in the 2001 NFL Draft. Then exactly one year later, Donahoe shipped the team's 2003 first round pick to the New England Patriots for Drew Bledsoe.

Check out the latest wallpaper featuring Takeo Spikes

‘Each NFL team must send at least six players to the six-team NFL Europe, whose 10-game season runs April-June. After that, players report to their NFL teams and stay on the roster as long as they can. Most NFL contracts are not guaranteed, and most NFL Europe players are like Simonton, who went undrafted and signed a free-agent contract with the Buffalo Bills.’

DT Sam Adams will wear 95.

Well-built athlete with long arms and legs…Has the frame to add needed bulk without any drop-off in quickness…Has a sharp change of direction…Gets a good push off the defender to escape the jam…Stays low, extends his arms and keeps his feet shuffling when providing pass protection.

Plays with impressive quickness off the snap…Pursues until the whistle and is known as an all-out hustler…Has great hand strength, delivering a punishing jab to disengage from the blockers.

‘The defensive back crop is very, very good.’

Smith and Butler were together with the Chicago Blitz of the USFL, the Chargers in the late 1980s and then spent 14 seasons with the Buffalo Bills, where Butler became GM in 1993.