Archives for July 2003

‘DeLamielleure credits his durability to a strict workout regimen that he still follows, including 1,000 pushups and skipping rope each day. He played at 254 pounds. Last week, he weighed in at 253.’

‘All kidding aside, Michaels said: "It would be nice to have the Vikings. The Bills are an emerging team. And with Drew Bledsoe there, clearly they’re a team . . . let’s put it this way, if we had gotten Buffalo or if we had gotten Minnesota, we would have said that’s fine. Off the top of my head, I can’t think of anybody else, really, that we’re missing that we’d like to have."’

‘In July 2003, Coy launched the Coy Wire Foundation. A charitable fund affiliated with the Buffalo Community Foundation, the mission of the Foundation is to encourage spiritual awareness by instilling hope and faith in youngsters, promote the value of education, and support underprivileged children and families.’

Bills coach Gregg Williams doesn’t fear going into the last year of his contract. Why? His defense is so much better than last year, and Drew Bledsoe enters his second season as the Bills quarterback. The key of training camp is making sure no injuries happen to the front seven of the defense. With Sam Adams and Pat Williams at defensive tackle, no one will run on the Bills. Linebackers London Fletcher, Takeo Spikes and Jeff Posey will be chasing down players all over the field. The defensive players have bought into Williams’ scheme. A big season could earn Williams a big contract.

‘"It’s pretty obvious what I’ll have to do (to make the team)," Simonton said. "I’m not sure how many chances I’ll get in the backfield, so I’ll just try to make the best of whatever opportunity comes along. Travis Henry is the man there, and I doubt that I’ll be able to cut into his time. But I want to make their decision (of whether to cut him) as difficult as possible."’

‘"We had this crazy rule," Gillman, who died earlier this year at the age of 91, told USA Today. "If you waived somebody a week before the weekend games, you couldn’t reclaim him. We were short of money, so I thought I’d waive Jack and reclaim him."’

Additional tickets for the first of the team’s two Monday evening practices during the Buffalo Bills Bausch & Lomb Training Camp will be available to the public at the three Rochester Dick’s Sporting Goods locations – Greece, Henrietta, and Victor – beginning on Thursday, July 24th. Shoppers will get two tickets with a purchase. Visit Dick’s Sporting Goods for details.

The Bills roster consists of 29 of the team's original draft picks, 49 players signed as a free agent, two players acquired via trade, and three 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.

‘"When I look back at where I was a couple of years ago, I realize how lucky I am because there was so much uncertainty at that time," Moorman said. "Two years ago, I never thought we’d be looking at a long-term contract, but that was always one of my goals. The Bills’ confidence in me made me more confident that I could step on the field and get the job done. I always knew I could, but to know that they knew really made a difference."’

‘While Moorman’s deal is for seven years, the final four years are contingent on the Bills exercising an option payment of between $300,000 and $1 million based on the number of Pro Bowls Moorman makes.’

‘”I’ve watched how the Buffalo Bills have done a tremendous job becoming part of the marketplace here,” Golisano said. “When they moved their training camp to the St. John Fisher College campus, it really heightened awareness and interest in the Buffalo Bills.”‘

‘At Pitt State, Moorman was the football program’s first four-time All-American. From 1995-98, Moorman boasts Pitt State’s best career average with 44 yards a punt. In 1997, he set the school’s season record with 46 yards a punt. He also holds the record for most punts in a career with 157.’

‘Josh Reed is being counted on to replace deep threat Peerless Price, who was lost to Atlanta in a trade forced by salary cap issues. Reed lacks Price’s explosive speed but the Bills believe his quickness and ability to run after the catch can lead to the same results. Buffalo needs the second-year man from LSU to burn defenses the way Price did when he faces single coverage.’

‘As part of the deal, the Bills restructured the third and final year of Moorman’s existing contract, giving him an $870,000 raise over the $380,000 he was scheduled to make this season. The extension will pay Moorman an average of $900,000 a season, not including bonuses.’

‘The Buffalo Bills apparently have rewarded punter Brian Moorman handsomely for two strong seasons.’