Archives for July 2004

‘”Mike Mularkey seems like he has got these guys headed in the right direction,” Graham said. “These guys really believe in him and that’s where it begins. You have to follow what the coach says.”‘

‘Are reports of Drew Bledsoe’s demise greatly exaggerated?’

‘”I’m a leader by nature,” Vincent said. “I have evolved as a leader, but football is a constant team sport. I’ve always been the guy, so to say, that go to guy. I am only as good as the person that I am next to. I like to lead by example.”‘

‘"The game evolves, but I did keep up with it but I haven’t been out on the field with the guys and in meeting rooms discussing and discarding ideas," Wyche said. "Those things will take a little bit of time to get used to, but by the time we enter the season I will be a lot further along and ready to go."’

‘"I’m hoping to get this offense back to where it was before," Evans said. "I feel like I can really help out this team and make some big plays down the field."’

‘Buffalo had no rival in the AFC — it beat four different teams in its four AFC championship game victories. And, simply, Buffalo’s defense was never good enough to win a Super Bowl. But they managed to get there four straight years. And that’s no reason to put them in the same sentence as Ryan Leaf.’

‘"Signing first-round picks is never easy," Donahoe said. "But we’re very optimistic that we can get something done. Fortunately, we have two good agents to deal with and two players who understand the importance of being in camp on time."’

‘But signing Jason Gildon, an aging rush linebacker, is a clear sign that the GM is worried about the Bills’ rush.’

‘But because of Gildon’s age – he turns 31 on July 31 – the Packers were willing to pay him only the NFL minimum of $760,000, whereas Buffalo outbid both the Packers and Cincinnati Bengals. Buffalo also appealed to Gildon because he and the Bills’ new coach, Mike Mularkey, worked together in Pittsburgh, where Gildon was a player the last 10 years and Mularkey an assistant coach the past eight.’

‘Only a few thousand seats remain for the Jets game November 7th.’

‘Only a couple thousand tickets remain for the Jets game on November 7th at Ralph Wilson Stadium. It is anticipated that this game will very soon become the fourth 2004 Bills home game in which tickets will be unavailable. The three games that currently do not have tickets available are September 12th against Jacksonville, October 3rd against New England and October 17th against Miami.’

‘In fact, the Bills’ pre-season opener – Sunday, Aug. 15 against Denver at “The Ralph” – is the latest exhibition start in franchise history.’

‘Gildon, a three-time Pro Bowler with 77 career sacks, is expected to be used as a pass rusher.Gildon recorded six sacks last season, his lowest total in six years. He will be 32 on July 31.’

‘The question: Is Drew Bledsoe over the hill?’

‘Rookie first-round pick J.P. Losman showed enough during offseason drills to conclude that it’s not inconceivable to think he can challenge for the primary backup job as a rookie. “I feel great in this offense,” Losman said. “I think I’m very prepared heading into camp and I look forward to the competition. Some people may think that’s arrogant, but actually I’m just very confident in my abilities.”‘