Archives for August 2003

‘At times, Polk can’t believe there are only seven players left from the Butler Era, which produced consistent playoff teams. "Me and Sammy Morris are the only ones left from our draft class," he said. "But teams change, coaches change, every year we get new people. I can’t complain. It’s a blessing to still be around."’

‘"There a lot good players, particular at the receiver position, that have had great camps and have played well but there are only so many spots so it’s a tough predicament for our personnel guys to be in, said Bledsoe."’

‘Bills coach Gregg Williams said third-string quarterback Travis Brown is going to be out "a significant time" after having surgery to repair the dislocated middle finger on his right (throwing) hand on Wednesday. The Bills brought back rookie Jason Johnson, who was cut last week. But they will likely survey the final cuts this weekend for a better alternative.’

‘"This is a big game for me," Burns said. "The coaches are getting ready to make some tough decisions. All you can do is make the decision hard for them."’

‘” Our personnel department and coaching staff have some very difficult decisions this year,” said Bledsoe. ” I don’t envy our guys trying to make the decisions because there are some good players who unfortunately won’t be with us.”’

‘Along with drawing high praise from coach Gregg Williams, who was appreciative of Foster’s assistance when he was left short-handed after Fred Graves underwent surgery for prostate cancer, Foster has a big fan in Bills third-year star running back Travis Henry. ” Barry’s been a blessing,” Henry said.’

‘Kelly, who in 2002 became just the eighth quarterback inducted into the pro football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, came to Robins Air Force Base Wednesday to meet with personnel and to experience flight in an F-15E fighter jet. Bielanin and his civilian wife Angela were among the first from the 5th Combat Communications Group to meet with Kelly, who signed autographs and posed for pictures at the second of three stops on base.’

‘”I can cover kicks, guard gunners; I can return both kicks and punts. I’m an athlete, there’s not a lot athletically that I can’t do, and I feel like I’ve done pretty well.”‘

‘While the personality this Bills team will display remains to be determined, it is easily the most talented of coach Gregg Williams’ three teams in Buffalo, capable of winning that extra game or two it will take to make a run at a wild-card berth in the rugged AFC East.’

‘Player to watch: WR Clarence Coleman — Former Division II record-setter at Ferris State was on track to make the final roster after missing all of 2002 with a broken lower leg/ankle. He was such an afterthought; he didn’t make the Bills’ media guide but turned in big plays in each preseason game at wideout and punt returner.’

‘GM Tom Donahoe continues to deny reports that he’s shopping RB Olandis Gary. If young Joe Burns continues to develop as he has, however, Gary may become expendable for a third- or fourth-round pick.’

‘Thus, among his 13 veteran acquisitions were seven defenders. Three of those — outside linebackers Takeo Spikes and Jeff Posey and defensive tackle Sam Adams — are guaranteed starters, and three others — defensive ends Marcus Jones and Keith McKenzie and free safety Izell Reese — could join them.’

‘Brown’s injury complicates the Bills decisions in making their final cuts. Like most teams, the Bills would rather enter the regular season with only three quarterbacks on their roster. Now they must decide whether to: go with two healthy quarterbacks and keep Brown on the active roster while he’s injured; keep Brown and bring in a fourth quarterback; or reach an injury settlement with Brown to allow for his release and bring in a new third-stringer.’

‘This is where the plan might break down. Adams, who has been hailed as some sort of savior for the Bills, gradually wore out his welcome after a six-year run in Seattle, got his game in order and put together two Pro Bowl seasons with Baltimore, and then spent a nonproductive 2002 season with the Raiders, who cut him. He’s on the downside of a basically underachieving career. "Not here, he won’t be," Williams says. "Have you ever heard of a coach we have named Tim Krumrie?"’

”’He’s really taken the next step, going from a guy to being a guy that’s a legitimate NFL football player,” Bledsoe said. ”And we expect big things from him.”’