Archives for November 2003

‘The Cowboys addressed a depth concern Tuesday, signing free-agent center Bill Conaty, who spent his first six NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills, the Cowboys’ next opponent.’

‘“Mark’s very excited and he’s looking forward to being there,” Campbell’s agent, Steve Forest, said. “They approached us and it was obviously mutual because we feel it was a good deal. And it’s always good to be somewhere that you’re wanted.”’

‘Acquired from Cleveland in February, Campbell has played in all eight games this season and ranks fourth on the team with 23 receptions for 197 yards.’

‘The 27-year-old Campbell has played in all eight games for the Bills in 2003 with seven starts at tight end. He ranks fourth on the team with 23 receptions covering 197 yards.’

‘Over the last 10 years, 26 teams have reached the postseason after starting the year 4-4 or worse.’

‘Crafts was arrested Aug. 29 for receiving two ounces of cocaine. He will remain in jail until a sentencing hearing on Jan. 6. Crafts, a first-time offender, is expected to receive probation, although he faces a maximum term of 15 years in prison.’

Do you think you can play this Sunday against the Cowboys?

“I can play but I won’t be really effective. I want to be effective when I play.”

‘”I know we have to go 6-2 or 7-1 to make the playoffs,” Bills defensive tackle Sam Adams said on Monday.’

‘Tom Donahoe, the Bills’ president and general manager, was notorious at Pittsburgh for trading down so he wouldn’t have to give huge bonuses to high draft picks. Do you think he wishes he’d traded down for Freeney instead of paying Mike Williams as the fourth overall pick in the 2002 draft?’

‘Jerry Crafts, a former offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Destroyers, was jailed without bail Monday on his guilty plea to a cocaine charge linked to a Las Vegas-Buffalo drug ring.’

‘Forcing turnovers starts with pressuring the quarterback into mistakes. Not surprisingly, Buffalo’s meager 13 sacks ranked 25th after eight games. In their four losses, the Bills managed just five sacks and three takeaways. They were shut out in both categories in their 38-5 loss at Kansas City last time out when the Chiefs scorched them for 275 yards passing.’

‘However, Donahoe did not talk about what might happen after the season, and if Williams does not get the stagnant Bills turned around in the second half of the year, his three-year contract – which expires after 2003 – will almost certainly not be renewed.’

‘The Bills have been far too reliant on their passing game during the first half of the season, and opposing defenses are starting to figure this out and make life miserable for QB Drew Bledsoe.’

‘LT Jonas Jennings, who left the Kansas City game with a hip injury, rested during the bye week and is expected to return to action Sunday against Dallas. If he should suffer a setback in practice, Marcus Price would start against the Cowboys.’

”’When you lose your last game it don’t ever leave you until you get back on the field and get that bad taste wiped out of your mouth,” Adams said. ”The bye week was good for us.”’