Archives for April 23, 2004

‘”A lot of times you don’t know until it starts,” Donahoe said of his draft strategy. “People like to play their cards close to the vest. And if it’s to our advantage to trade up, we’ll look at that. If it’s to our advantage to trade back, we’ll look at that as well. So I don’t know if we ever go into draft and say, ‘This is the plan.””

‘”My basic duty is to write the draft picks name on the card and make sure it gets submitted correctly,” Hojnowski said. “I am on an open phone line with Orchard Park from 11:30 am on Saturday until the draft is over. The Bills have a speaker phone in the draft room and the person that I actually talk to is head trainer Bud Carpenter. He relays who the pick is because he will be standing next to Tom Donahoe, Tom Modrak, and Mike Mularkey.”‘

‘Udeze, who has dropped more than 100 pounds since high school, may have more long-term potential. He’s a powerfully built athlete who dominated USC’s competition (NCAA-high 161/2 sacks in 2003). He was almost unblockable in the Rose Bowl against Michigan, recording four tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble to help lead the Trojans to a share of the national championship.’

‘There are a variety of scenarios revolving around Buffalo’s search for a young quarterback that could play out Saturday and Sunday. Here are a few…’.

‘The moment that slip of paper is handed to The Commish and the name “Ben Roethlisberger” or “Philip Rivers” or “J.P. Losman” is read, the clock starts ticking on Bledsoe. That’s especially true if it’s the first round.’

‘For weekly gatherings Labatts Brewing Company has been a regular sponsor. They have provided the group with a live band for the Broncos pre-game party, tons of free hats, t-shirts, jerseys, bar mirrors, and other items that they use for weekly raffles and trivia contests.’

‘In a business where a 40 percent success rate is excellent, Modrak is noted for holding his own. In nine years as the Steelers college scouting director in the 1990s, Modrak helped select eight Pro Bowl players, including linebackers Levon Kirkland and Chad Brown, defensive tackle Joel Steed and offensive tackle Leon Searcy.’