Archives for February 16, 2005

‘The fan loyalty and the national following that the Bills have was truly something to experience. With the exception of maybe Green Bay, there is not a place like Buffalo with the fan loyalty and their devotion to the team. It was really special to be a part of that. When and if the Bills ever win a World Championship, I will be a fan along with all of those people, just because of the experience that I had there.’

‘"I think when Drew came here, we were in a big black hole with this football team," Buffalo president/general manager Tom Donahoe said. "He certainly helped us get out of that. He brought respectability back to the Bills and we owe him a debt of gratitude."’

‘”Do I think this is fair? No, I don’t think it’s fair,” he said by phone from Oregon. “But I’m also aware that that’s how it works, and I understand that. When I had the conversation with Mike (Mularkey) and first found out the direction they were going to go with J.P., I was beside myself. I completely disagree and can’t understand their point of view.”’

‘Buffalo cannot officially release Bledsoe until February 22, but the team made the decision at this time as as a courtesy to him. Cleveland acted in a similar fashion on Monday with Jeff Garcia.’

”’Our starting quarterback next year will be J.P. Losman,” Mularkey said. ”We had a good year last year. It was not a super year. You’re constantly trying to grow. With that comes change. It was a tough decision just out of respect for Drew and J.P.”’

‘Mike Mularkey spoke in front of the media today and confirmed the reports that Drew Bledsoe will be released on February 22nd.’

‘He could get that opportunity in Dallas, with the Cowboys needing a starter because neither Vinny Testaverde nor Drew Henson proved to be the answer for them this past season. Testaverde is eligible for unrestricted free agency and could be headed back to the New York Jets, and Parcells does not seem ready to go with Henson or fellow youngster Tony Romo as his starter. Parcells coached Bledsoe for four seasons, between 1993 and ’96, with the Patriots, and the two reached a Super Bowl together. The Cowboys went 6-10 this past season but could improve rapidly, with two first-round draft choices and abundant salary cap space to sign free agents. The Browns also could be in the running to sign Bledsoe. New coach Romeo Crennel was the Patriots’ defensive line coach for four seasons under Parcells when Bledsoe was in New England.’

‘Team officials have not returned several messages left by The Associated Press.’

‘The impending release of Bledsoe will save the Bills $2.2 million in cap space. Had he remained on the team at his scheduled pay, he would have counted $6.5 million this year.’

The Buffalo Bills have called a 1 p.m. news conference Wednesday amid reports that quarterback Drew Bledsoe is about to be released.’

The Bills braintrust have made a major decision that will impact the Bills in 2005 and beyond. The Drew Bledsoe era is over in Buffalo and the reigns are being turned over to J.P. Losman, now the question remains, is it the right move at the right time?

‘Had Bledsoe been willing to embrace the likelihood that Losman will be the starter in 2005, the Bills would have brought him back at a lower salary. But Bledsoe is determined to remain a starter in the NFL. The Bills invested first-, second- and fifth-round draft choices in Losman last April. After the Bills’ non-playoff finish, the team is ready to get its quarterback of the future on the field.’

‘NFL quarterback Shane Matthews and his father, Bill Matthews, took home separate honors for the All-American Football Foundation’s 67th annual Banquet of Champions.’

‘One possible stumbling block is Bledsoe’s desire to be a starter. He was given the option to stay with Buffalo as backup to second-year quarterback J.P. Losman but declined. If he signed with Dallas, Bledsoe could find himself in the same situation with Henson.’

‘Per NFL rules, the Bills can’t officially cut Bledsoe until Feb. 22, the start of the league’s waiver system. But FoxSports.com reported that the Bills were expected to announce the move today.’