Archives for April 2003

‘The deal, which includes a signing bonus, was confirmed Thursday by Henry’s agent, Greg Johnson. The restructured contract also includes several incentives, and will pay Henry a base salary of $1.25 million in the final year.’

‘Fullback and special teams captain Sammy Morris accepted the Buffalo Bills’ one-year contract offer on Thursday. Morris will make $605,000 in his fourth season with the Bills and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next year.’

‘The position where they fielded the most questions was the defensive line. Buffalo’s first draft pick, 23rd overall, could be a D-lineman.’

Listen to President/General Manager Tom Donahoe and Assistant General Manager Tom Modrak talk about the 2003 NFL Draft. Live at 12 Noon (ET)

Justin Bannan – "I'm about as excited as it gets to see all the players that we have. Just today as we were working out you can see the chemistry building. It seems we're a lot further along than we were last year. At least that's the way it feels defensively. It's exciting. I think we are going to have one heck of a ball club next year, I can't wait to be a part of it. We can win! That's what we're here to do."

‘Johnson declined to give all the financial details, but it is believed Henry’s new contract includes a signing bonus. It is believed he will make over $1 million in base salary in each of the next two seasons and more than $2 million in 2005. Henry also could earn between $700,000 and $1 million in incentives during the second year of the deal, which also includes a signing bonus.’

‘Former Bills coach Marv Levy attended the services along with former Buffalo quarterback Jim Kelly, Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer and quarterback Drew Brees.’

Rogers, who played last season for Buffalo, was unavailable for comment Tuesday through the Dolphins’ media relations department Agent Everette Scott didn’t return a call seeking comment. Coming on the heels of off-field problems with RBs Lawrence Phillips and Cecil Collins under ex-coach Jimmy Johnson, Dolphins President Eddie Jones and coach Dave Wannstedt said in April 2000 that the team would shy from drafting players with character issues. But Sr VP Rick Spielman said the team felt comfortable signing Rogers after researching his legal situation and believes he will eventually be exonerated.

‘Travis Henry signed a one-year contract extension that would keep him in Buffalo through 2005. Henry will make $1.3 million in salary during that final year.’

The Bills roster consists of 21 of the team's original draft picks, 46 players signed as a free agent, three players acquired via trade, and two players claimed off of waivers. In addition, 14 of 22 (64%) starters last season were drafted by the Bills: 8 on offense, 6 on defense.

Liddell, who grew up near Rich Stadium, has always been a big fan of the Buffalo Bills and was a huge fan of Kelly, Reed and Lofton. While growing up, Liddell would go to the Bills training camp. “As a little kid I remember going to training camp and I always remember the guys that stayed and signed autographs for the kids. I want to be able to do that and take the time for kids, because that is special for them. I want to make sure that I can give something back,” said Liddell.

I think the NFL will miss John Butler, the 56-year-old Chargers GM who died of cancer on Friday. I really liked Butler, even though we had a major falling-out late in his tenure in Buffalo. This is why I liked him so much: He was a big man in so many ways. We hadn’t spoken for three years until the Friday before this year’s Super Bowl in San Diego. I was at the Chargers facility, in their front offices, doing the media pool report while covering the Raiders, and I ran into Butler. He was angry with me because I had agreed to be a regular guest on the radio show of a former Bills coach, Chuck Dickerson, who often was brutally frank and critical of the Bills.

Gary would be a backup with the Chiefs or at either of his other free-agent stops, Buffalo and Detroit. But neither the Lions nor the Bills have halfback issues like the Chiefs.

That’s not to say, however, that all trades that fit into this category are busts. The deal that secured quarterback Drew Bledsoe a year ago legitimized the Buffalo Bills, made them immediately competitive, and dramatically moved forward for GM Tom Donahoe a refurbishing of the franchise. There is no player in this year’s draft, none at the No. 14 spot he forfeited to New England, likely to have meant more to the Bills than Bledsoe means to the health of the team.

Signed with the Bills on 1/22/03 as an unrestricted free agent…released by the Seahawks on 8/27/02 before the start of the 2002 season…originally signed by Seattle on 1/23/02 and attended Seattle's 2002 training camp.