Archives for May 29, 2003

‘Gregg Williams reminds me a lot of the Black Knight from “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”‘

The Bills made the biggest jump as far as talent. Their stats were a little misleading a year ago. Although they ranked 15th overall, that was only because opponents ran the ball so well against them that they didn’t give up a lot of passing yards. The Bills surrendered 132 yards a game on the ground and 4.5 yards a carry.

‘"We have improved the team speed, but it is not one of the faster defenses that I have had the opportunity to coach, but we have improved significantly in that area. This team speed right now is the best since I have been here but we have still got to keep own players healthy. We have a long way to go before training camp starts. We are in some heavy phases of our program right now, in strength and speed phases. These next three weeks are critical and the final five weeks prior to training camp and opening day is another big phase that Rusty Jones and his staff have got to make sure that our guys are right on top of it."’

‘"It’s all going to start up front…with out offensive line," Bledsoe said. "Last year, they showed what they could do. This year they’re working together for the second straight year. I think they’re going to be a dominant group."’

The Bills revamped their entire offense last offseason simply by bringing in one key pawn – Drew Bledsoe. He tied everyone together by being the leader on a team that sorely needed one. Trust and good chemistry exploded among the offensive players, and the team jumped from 3-13 in 2001 to 8-8 and just out of the playoffs last season. The problem? There was little trust that the defense would do its share of the workload, which it rarely did. This offseason, Bills GM Tom Donahoe worked overtime to complete his repairs on that side of the ball. LB Takeo Spikes could turn into the Bledsoe-like leader the defense desperately needs. That in turn should improve the defense and allow the offense to transfer some of the load off its shoulders, rounding the team out and taking it to the playoffs.

27. Drew Bledsoe, QB, Buffalo Bills: One of the more underrated passers in the league, he is coming off one of his best seasons. When given time, and outside receivers, he is one of the best deep-ball throwers in the league.