Archives for August 2004

‘Last year was discouraging but this year brings new hope. The offense has more weapons, and the defense has remained virtually intact. I really think Bills football will be exciting again. However, this is Mularkey’s first year at the helm and the AFC East is, arguably, the toughest division in which to play offense.’

‘Bills offensive lineman Marcus Price missed practice Tuesday and will be out for at least a week with an injured toe on his left foot.’

‘On Lawrence Smith playing with the first unit:

We just tried to get another combination in there. Lawrence has played well, and I’ve given him an opportunity to compete for that spot. I still feel like there’s ample time to get a feel, and a clear evaluation of him.’

‘And Smith was promoted to the starting unit, taking over for Mike Pucillo. ”We’re trying another combination,” coach Mike Mularkey said of elevating Smith. ”Lawrence has played well and we’re giving him an opportunity to compete for that spot.”’

‘But I would be shocked if Buffalo traded Henry this season.’

‘But in the context of a preseason game, it didn’t matter. What mattered was how Losman threw the ball, how he saw the field, how he reacted to what the Broncos’ defense showed him, and how he carried himself.’

‘Dentists from the Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, a Kaleida Health facility, will be providing free mouthguards and proper fittings for amateur athletes that will be attending Buffalo Bills training camp in Rochester.’

‘Eric Moulds took the blame for the interception, telling Bledsoe, “I’ll make that play during the regular season,” but the Bills’ malfunctioning starting offense wasn’t the fault of its QB, wideouts or Travis Henry. This was totally on the offensive line.’

Henry, a Frostproof native, would be highly motivated for a return to his home state, given all the attention and adulation being showered on second-year pro Willis McGahee and his phenomenal comeback from a devastating knee injury.

‘"He got tattooed pretty good by the defenders," Mularkey said. "I think it was a wake-up call that this is a different level and a big deal of hits are at a greater speed with more velocity and strength."’

‘Please be advised that the start time of the Bills final preseason game on Thursday, Sept. 2 at Detroit has been changed from 8:00 PM (ET) to 7:00 PM (ET).’

‘There was a method to Mularkey’s madness in calling a quarterback draw for the first play of the NFL career of the young man who could end up being Buffalo’s quarterback for a very long time. “He got tattooed pretty good by the defenders, and I think it was a wakeup call that it is a different level and they do hit at a greater speed with more velocity and strength,” Mularkey said.’

‘”We stayed persistent with the run game, and I think our defense held up pretty well. I can tell there are things we need to work on, just from the naked eye, and there may be more after the film. But for the most part, it’s a good win all the way around.”‘

‘The only thing Henry lacks is the explosiveness to make him a threat to score every time his number is called. A dozen or so NFL running backs have that talent, and a healthy McGahee might be in that select fraternity.’

‘Coach Mike Mularkey is unable – or willing – to put a timetable on when Williams will return to full strength, but it’s clear that he’s missing valuable work. At some point, it could become impossible for him to start, meaning the Bills would open the year with a backup costing them $38 million.’