Archives for August 2004

‘The Bills were somewhat handcuffed in negotiations in that they were only allotted $4 million this season to sign six draft picks, including quarterback J.P. Losman, selected 22nd overall. Losman signed his contract a five-year deal that includes a $5.6 million bonus just hours before Evans. Evans’ contract includes a clause giving him the option to void the final year.’

‘Asked when Williams will be back with the starters, Mularkey said: ”Eventually, obviously, the sooner the better for all of us, I think.”’

‘The Bills gave no explanation for the release. They signed Carter in January and he spent the spring playing in NFL Europe.’

‘Mularkey announced on Sunday that former first round draft pick Mike Williams was replaced at right tackle by Marcus Price. Mularkey said, "That was my decision alone. It’s not a punishment of any kind. I think he understands that and I think Marcus Price understands that. I’m very up front with these guys, I think they need that." Williams was the fourth overall pick in the 2002 draft.’

‘"We have a great interactive area for the kids, youngsters get to test their skills, see all about football, and, of course, you get a couple of autographs with the guys coming over to the fence and signing," said Scott Berchtold of the Buffalo Bills.’

‘On Willis McGahee’s knee:

We’ll find out the more the pads go on and takes some licks. I’m not sure you can even totally evaluate that until you get into a game type situation. In his running, I see no ill-effects of his injury whatsoever in what we’re doing.’

‘The Bills announced today that the team has released CB Kahlil Carter.’

‘The August 11th night practice will run from 6:45 – 8:45 PM and will once again feature an autograph session involving the entire team following practice. Tickets for the night practice are free and are limited to six per person.’

‘”Tom was a lawyer and he wanted to get into coaching,” says former Notre Dame and current South Carolina head coach Lou Holtz. “I’ll tell you this, he’s very intelligent and has the ideal temperament to be a coordinator on the professional level. He’s very patient and very aware. I think he’ll do a wonderful job and I’m very happy he’s gotten this opportunity.”‘

‘”I can’t even describe it,” Losman said. “I’m really happy to be here on time. I didn’t really like the idea of holding out or anything like that. Everything went real smooth. My agent said it was going to get taken care of, he was a man of his word and it happened. It’s exciting. I have kind of been waiting for it for a long, long time, and now that it’s actually happening it’s all surreal.”‘

‘The year Todd Collins inherited the starting quarterback job from Hall of Famer Jim Kelly, Channel 7’s John Murphy was asking Steve Tasker a series of “does he need to . . . ” questions about Collins. Tasker interrupted him. “What he needs to do is pay attention,” was his answer.’

‘”You’re trying to see who is dependable, who is accountable, who is a physically and mentally tough player in the good part of it, and then when it gets hard and they face some adversity, you want to see who can outlast it,” Mularkey said on Saturday as his players checked into their dorm rooms.’

‘”Every second we’re together is critical, especially young players like that. It’s definitely a good start.”‘

‘”All I can say is wow,” said new head coach Mike Mularkey, as he addressed the faithful. “If there’s a better fan base anywhere in America, I’d like to see it.”‘

‘The entire Bills roster will conduct one practice session on Sunday beginning at 2:45 pm. The first day of camp from St. John Fisher College is opened to the public.’