Archives for May 23, 2003

‘Items donated by Bledsoe, who quarterbacked at Washington State University and the NFL New England Patriots before joining the Buffalo Bills last season, has contributed an autographed Bills jersey, a Bills helmet, an NFL football and a WSU helmet. He has also autographed a Wa-Hi helmet and a Wa-Hi jersey No. 12 for auction.’

Ruben Brown of the Buffalo Bills will be one of the headline attractions in the inaugural Celebrity Golf Classic benefiting the Niagara Falls YMCA. Former Bill Shawn Price is also among the notables in the field for the event, to be held June 30 at Niagara Falls Country Club. Former Bills WR Don Beebe will hold his annual speed camp July 23-24 at the Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse in Orchard Park.

RB Ken Simonton earned NFLE Offensive Player of the Week honors for the 2nd time this season in week five against the F.C. Barcelona Dragons. He gained 108 rushing yards on 20 carries, caught eight passes for 97 yards and returned five punts for 66 yards. His 271 total yards were just eight shy of tying a league mark. Simonton is the only player in the league to receive the POW distinction twice so far in 2003. He first earned the honor when he ran for 94 yards and tied a league record with four rushing touchdowns in the Claymores 62-31 win over the Berlin Thunder in week one.

Winfield: He is a smaller (5-feet-9) corner, which might deter some teams, but he is a tough, physical player. The Bills love him and will do whatever it takes to keep him, which could mean using the franchise tag. They put that label on receiver Peerless Price before trading him to Atlanta. It’s a safeguard for the team. But the Bills will have to decide if he’s worth shutdown corner money. He certainly is if Bly can get $5 million a year.

‘"As long as we are playing football, the level of play doesn’t matter. The players don’t grow an extra leg. The game is still the game to me, no matter the level of play."’