Archives for August 2004

‘"It had nothing to do with the Bills, nothing to do with Marcus Price, nothing to do with me being out of shape or on the second team. It was personal problems – family – to categorize it."’

‘”I expect to see him pick his game up even more this season,” said defensive coordinator Jerry Gray. “I expect to see Lawyer compete for a Pro Bowl spot. He doesn’t have to think about what he’s doing anymore. He knows the defense, so I think he’ll go out and make plays for us.”‘

‘The Bills did not make progress in offseason talks with the agents for Jonas Jennings, Aaron Schobel and Pat Williams. None of the parties are saying they have closed the door on talks. However, since extensions were not struck by the start of training camp, it’s likely the three will become free agents in March.’

‘”We waited as long as we could, until about a quarter to six, before we made the decision,” said general manager Tom Donahoe. “Prior to coming up here this summer, with the way the weather has been, we felt we needed an alternate site ready to go if we needed it. Our hats are off to the people of East Rochester. The people we have dealt with have pretty much opened up the facility anytime we need to use it.”‘

‘”I apologized to them because they’re out here to win and they’re counting on me like I’m counting on them,” he said. “I told them, ‘I’m going to be there regardless of the situation. I’m going to be there and be committed.'”‘

‘”At the end of the day, when I take off this helmet and these shoulder pads, I’m a citizen in my community. I vote. I want my lawn cut, I want my neighbors’ lawn cut. I walk to the mailbox and pick up my mail like everybody else. I want my children to see that it’s not about us, it’s about the community you live in."’

‘Heart disease could have killed him in 1999. He takes 13 pills every day to treat cardiomyopathy.’

‘But [Ruben] Brown is the only player I’d ever seen with a sign hung in his locker that heralded marijuana. That was three seasons ago, and I don’t remember exactly what the sign said. But I’m still surprised that it was even there, particularly because the NFL and the Bills are as image-conscious as Britney Spears.’

‘Williams said he apologized to his teammates on Wednesday to help clear the air, telling them he was dealing with personal issues. He also spoke personally with Price. ”Me and him are very tight,” Williams said. ”This situation will never happen again.”’

‘"I’m feeling great I’m back out here working with the team and just enjoying myself right now," said Williams. "They’re counting on me just like I’m counting on them. If I’m not giving my 100 percent on the field; if I’m not there it’s hurting them. I told them I’m going to be there regardless of the situation. I’m going to be there committed."’

‘”If it’s a distraction, you couldn’t tell by the way they’re practicing,” he said. “There’s nothing that I’ve seen disruptive in the meeting rooms or anything else. The practices have been pretty good. They’ve been getting things done excellently.”‘

‘”The tempo of the game is much quicker up here. When I was at Wisconsin, there wasn’t people around practices, so it was exciting to start camp.” Mularkey agreed. “Lee is going to be a special receiver,” he said. “It’s a different game at this level, and there are still little things I recognize out there, like coming back for the ball. Lee had a good start, but he has some little things to work on.”‘

‘The #4 overall draft pick will now work on regaining his First String Right Tackle Position currently occupied by Marcus Price. Williams was demoted to second string after coming to Training Camp unprepared and reportedly overweight.’

‘Additional tickets for the first of the team’s two Wednesday evening practices during the Buffalo Bills Bausch & Lomb Training Camp will be available to the public at the three Rochester Dick’s Sporting Goods locations – Greece, Henrietta, and Victor – on Wednesday, August 4.’

”’Everything is behind me and I’m very comfortable,” Williams said. ”The family is fine and everything is great right now.”’