Archives for February 11, 2005

‘The decision has essentially already been made by Bills officials, several sources told ESPN.com, that Losman, who missed much of his rookie season recovering from a broken leg suffered in training camp, will be the starter in 2005. In fact, it is believed that Buffalo officials have apprised Drew Bledsoe of the plan to elevate the former Tulane star to the top of the depth chart and are giving the 12-year veteran some time to consider the ramifications of the move, and to determine if he wants to return to the Bills as the backup.’

‘Defensive end Bruce Smith was selected for the Pro Bowl 11 times with the Bills, the most by any player in team history.’

‘There are too many teams in dire need of Bledsoe’s veteran play, and unlike many people think he can turn around a team. He still has the tendency to hold onto the football too long, but when he is playing his game he is one of the top ten quarterbacks in the league. His deep ball is still there, and we all saw that in the second half of the season for the Bills, when rookie receiver Josh Reed started filling up the stat column.’

‘In the meantime, Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly and his son, Hunter, will be celebrating their shared Valentine’s Day birthday at the Buffalo Bills Field House instead of Chestnut Ridge Park, which for five years has been the site of Hunter’s Day of Hope for Children but is now closed due to the county’s fiscal plight. The annual event raises research money for nervous system diseases, like the deadly Krabbe’s disease that afflicts Hunter.’

‘Moulds hasn’t always been happy playing for the Bills. He’s complained at times about the offense and his role in it. There were times he wondered if he had a future in Buffalo. But those feelings were born out of frustration. There’s no place Moulds would rather be than Buffalo. He likes living and playing here. There is something to be said for loyalty, and agreeing to a contract extension shows that Moulds is committed to the Bills.’

‘The Bills have exclusive free rights to Stamer, so he’ll find out around March 1 whether he’ll be playing there again next season. If he does, Buffalo can sign him for the third-year minimum salary. That, of course, is the the probable scenario, but if the Bills don’t sign him, then he’ll try to catch on with another team.’

‘Moulds is signed through the 2006 season, the result of a six year extension agreed to in 2001. The new deal would allow the Bills to receive salary cap relief for 2005.’