Archives for March 12, 2004

‘Morris, 26, is a solid reserve back who can also return kickoffs. He signed a two-year deal, details of which were not immediately known, after also being courted by Cleveland and New England. The former Texas Tech star was a fifth-round choice of the Buffalo Bills in 2000. He played well as a rookie, then was buried on the depth chart, as the Bills brought in several other tailbacks.’

‘”I knew I wanted to stay with the Bills,” Tucker said. “They approached my agent before the Super Bowl about maybe doing a long-term deal. It was something I was interested in.’

‘Bills Vice President of Communications Scott Berchtold said quarterbacks coach Sam Wyche has not made plans to scout the unrestricted free agent, as sources told The News on Wednesday. Berchtold said he could not comment on the possibility of a future visit by the Bills with Volek but that none currently has been set.;

‘Volek visited with the Atlanta Falcons for a second time on Thursday and has already mulled over two contract proposals, said agent Ken Staninger. Volek has also met with Denver and Green Bay.’

‘Also yesterday, Buffalo Bills officials denied they had planned to send quarterbacks coach Sam Wyche to Nashville on Sunday to visit with Volek, but they would not comment on whether they now planned to visit with Volek at any other point in the coming days.’

‘”I don’t know about the Buffalo thing,” Staninger said. “The only thing I do know is they talked to Billy [Wednesday] about coming down there. Sometimes people are coming through to look at college players and such, and could stop and take a look along the way. But if it’s scheduled, I don’t know anything about, and you’d think as his agent, that if anything was scheduled, I’d know about it.”‘

‘Fullback Sammy Morris signed a two-year deal to be a backup, agent Mark Slough said. Morris signed a two-year contract and will be introduced today at a news conference. The Dolphins won a mild bidding war with division-rival New England for the former Buffalo back. ”It was down to Miami and New England. Miami stepped up and was more aggressive,” Slough said.’

‘Morris, who played his first four NFL seasons in Buffalo, will replace the departed Femi Ayanbadejo (Arizona) as Rob Konrad’s backup and play a prominent role on special teams.’

‘The Dolphins also agreed to a two-year contract with Sammy Morris, a pass-catching running back who played the past four seasons in Buffalo. Morris, 6 feet and 220 pounds, had 14 catches for 100 yards and 19 rushes for 70 yards last season. He could replace fullback Obafemi Ayanbadejo, who left for Arizona, or back up Ricky Williams if Travis Minor leaves as a restricted free agent. Morris is considered an excellent special-teams player, with 38 career tackles.’

‘Morris spent the first four years of his NFL career in Buffalo. A little undersized for full time duty in the backfield, Morris caught 14 balls for 100 yards last season. He ran for another 70. Miami gave Morris a two year deal.’

‘The Dolphins have agreed to a two-year contract with Sammy Morris, a pass-catching running back/fullback who played the last four seasons in Buffalo.’