Archives for November 25, 2004

‘The Bills (4-6) have been much improved with Milloy back, winning three of their last five heading into Sunday’s game at Seattle. ”I don’t think that’s purely coincidence,” quarterback Drew Bledsoe said. ”He’s one of those special players that can actually elevate the guys around him. He brings such great intensity and such great accountability to the defense that I think definitely helps.”’

‘Vincent, who’s missed seven games with a right knee injury, ran on his own before practice on Thursday and said his knee felt better than it has in some time. The trouble is, he felt this good two weeks ago before suffering a setback.’

‘Here’s a look back at the games the Buffalo Bills have been a part of on Thanksgiving Day…’

‘Both players dreamed of being Seahawks, and Bledsoe was one draft pick away from becoming one. He was selected with the No. 1 overall selection in the 1993 draft, one pick ahead of Notre Dame quarterback Rick Mirer.’

‘Alexander leads the NFL in rushing with 1,151 yards. He’s tied for second in the NFL in total touchdowns with 13, and he has the best per-carry average of the league’s leading backs at 5.1 yards an attempt.’

‘Bledsoe will receive his award during the Monday Quarterback Club luncheon in the Harbour Club in HSBC Arena at 11:30 a.m. Monday. The award, which began in 1970 and was renamed in honor of the Hall of Famer in 1999, honors players who demonstrate outstanding balance in their lives between civic and professional responsibilities.’

‘Levy, as all Bills fans know, was not your typical football coach. So it’s no surprise this is not your typical football book.’

‘The Bills have struggled on the road this season. “It’ll be nice to get back out there,” said Bledsoe, who has done some offseason wine tasting in the state the past couple of years, “but I also know that it will be a hostile environment.”‘

‘”That guy is crazy. He was excited,” Clements said. “I saw him putting stuff on the board, and he said I was going to get one. I told him, ‘OK, I’m going to hit it up there hard.’ And I did.”‘

‘”When you’re in the stands or watching on TV, you don’t get a full feel for what the impact on a kickoff is like. As long as we keep the fans in a place where they’re safe and they don’t get run over by somebody, and as long as they’re not throwing stuff at us, it could be an interesting experience for some people.”‘

‘It was Sept. 20, 1992, and the New England Patriots were driving for a possible game-winning touchdown.’

‘Adams is even scheduling interviews to discuss his Everett team during his trip with the Bills to play the Seahawks on Sunday. “He’s pretty hands-on,” said Lisa Balmes, a longtime friend whom Adams hired as the Hawks’ vice president of operations and business development. “He likes to know all of the daily details. He’s more hands-on than what your normal owner would be. Hopefully, he’ll relax about that.”‘

‘”I wasn’t thinking I was going anywhere,” Lindell said. “I bought a house in Sammamish.” But the signing bonus Buffalo offered was guaranteed, proof that the Bills were committed to making Lindell their kicker. “Why wouldn’t I sign?” he said.’

‘”They are the last team I haven’t played in the NFL,” said Milloy, who spent his first seven seasons with the New England Patriots. “When you have a chance to come home to play where you have your friends and your family, it’s just an extra bonus.”‘

‘Q: How would you characterize Bledsoe’s season?

Mularkey: “You know, he has been more efficient probably at home and I think he has recognized that and has not on the road. He’s been around long enough that he doesn’t need someone like me or Sam Wyche to remind him that he is a true professional. He has given us a chance to win in most of the games that we’ve played.”‘