Archives for March 26, 2004

‘But Bledsoe has a huge supporter in Mularkey, who felt it was important to tell Bledsoe in their first meeting that he’s entrenched as the starter. “I think he needs to know that coming in here because that’s the way it is,” Mularkey said. “You’ve got to have a guy who wants to approach it that way and not have any doubts. “Am I or am I not?’ There is no doubt.”‘

‘”It would be a great pleasure because (McNally) is truly like a master of the game, and he can just take my level of what I know and my ability to another level,” Williams said Thursday during the Bills’ veteran minicamp. “It’s all about just getting better, and with him definitely.”‘

‘”It looks pretty good,” Williams said of the team and the facilities. “We’ll see how it plays out, but I’m glad to be in Buffalo.”‘

‘”I still have confidence in him and so does the rest of the team,” said wide receiver Eric Moulds, who was nagged by a season-ruining groin injury that resulted in him catching just one touchdown pass in 2003, nine fewer than the year before. “Our problems last year went well beyond Drew. It would be wrong to put the bulk of the blame on him. We have to protect better, we have to run better routes, and we have to go with a system that’s more in tune with his skills and our skills.”‘

‘As for the Bills, Volek said they offered to throw him into a competition with incumbent Drew Bledsoe. “They wanted me to come in there and compete with him right away,” Volek said. “That was probably the biggest selling point Buffalo had to offer us.”‘

‘The mini-camp marks the first time Mularkey and his staff have met face-to-face with the entire Bills roster.’

‘Reich has been touring churches across the country, sharing his faith and testimony, since retiring from the Buffalo Bills in 1998. His athletic fame, he said, has given him a unique platform to share the gospel. He’s been outspoken about his faith, even during the height of his career.’

‘Williams is a candidate to fill a roster spot with Buffalo, and spoke very highly of McNally’s ability to get the best out of his offensive lineman. While nothing seemed imminent, Williams speculated that he’d be happy to cancel his flight home if something can get worked out between the team and his agent.’

”’Is this a crossroads season for me?” Bledsoe said. ”Listen, in this league, every season you play is a crossroads season. No matter who you are, what you’ve done, what you’ve accomplished, if you don’t get it done, you can find yourself looking for work.”’

‘”I think Mike (Mularkey) has made it clear that Drew is our starter and that we are committed to Drew,” President and General Manager Tom Donahoe said. “Right now we are looking for a solid number two guy with a few years of experience.”‘

‘The Titans signed Volek to a five-year deal Thursday after he visited twice with the Falcons and even looked at houses in Atlanta, where he received an offer. Buffalo also made an offer to let him compete with Drew Bledsoe immediately. ”But my heart was here,” Volek said at a news conference with his wife and three small children. ”It was really hard to walk away from this place. This place has been awesome to me.”’