Archives for April 24, 2005

‘The most significant addition came when the team took hefty Illinois center Raymond Preston with their fourth-round pick, 122nd overall. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 311 pounds, Preston allowed only one sack in three years as a college starter. He was the fourth center selected in this year’s draft and has the opportunity to make an immediate impact on a line that lost three players most notably starting left tackle Jonas Jennings to free agency last month. ”He’s not a developmental guy,” Bills scout Doug Majeski said. ”This is a guy that we’ve liked for a long time.”’

‘Josh Stamer, a 2001 South Dakota graduate, is featured in a new forum created by the Buffalo Bills and available on its Web site.’

‘Geisinger, a 6-foot-4, 322-pounder, was the 197th pick overall. The road-grader’s strengths for the Commodores were his consistency and excellent trap-blocking skills.’

‘Several scouting reports say Preston is a hard worker who is noted for his smarts. On the downside, scouts question his mobility. One report had him going in the seventh round.’

‘"We kept our communication with Buffalo open until the time of the pick," vice president of football operations Rod Graves said. "But we also felt it wasn’t going to work and we had an opportunity to get a player like J.J. Arrington and to be honest with you, we feel very, very good about that."’

‘Preston may turn out to be more than a center at the NFL level. He said Philadelphia told him they like him as a guard, and that Atlanta and Kansas City have expressed interest in him as a tackle. He also impressed NFL talent evaluators as a long snapper during the East-West Shrine Game. That was stunning because he didn’t handle those duties at Illinois.’

”’He was telling me how it’s a good football city, how the fans love Buffalo and how he adapted to the weather quick,” Parrish said. ”I’m willing to adapt to the weather quick.”’

‘"It’s just a great feeling to have your named called on Draft Day," King said. "I’m just so blessed to be going to a beautiful city and place like Buffalo."’

‘DeLamielleure, 54, is no stranger to running, having done it in high school. "I ran track in high school – the 100 dash – and threw the shot," he said. "I played fullback in high school. I’m only jealous of long distance runners when they buy clothes. Running is one of the best things you can do for yourself. I’ve always admired runners and swimmers. Those sports require such discipline, and you have to do it yourself and not rely on a team."’

‘They selected smurf-like speed receiver Roscoe Parrish of Miami with their second-round pick and then took receiving tight end Kevin Everett, another Miami Hurricane, in the third round. Both players will have a chance to contribute immediately as rookie targets for new quarterback J.P. Losman.’

‘"In this world we live in you need playmakers, and that’s what he is," said Bills Assistant General Manager Tom Modrak. "He’s a strong kid for 170 pounds. He’s small, but he plays strong and plays very tough. He’s a competitive kid."’

‘I suspect that we’ll see a great deal of running but also a lot of play-action passes from the Buffalo offense as Losman discovers his sea legs.’

‘At 6-4 and 241 pounds, Everett certainly looks the part. He’s a terrific athlete with good hands and runs very well for a big man.’

‘After four excruciating hours and one romp through the buffet line, the media was desperate for a legitimate bit of news. Please, trade Travis Henry. Trade him for a backup long snapper, a blocking sled or a fax machine, but make a move. Give us something to analyze.’

‘"They told me they wanted a tight end who can block and catch the ball. I can do that," he said. "It’s a great opportunity and I’m very excited about it. I don’t know much about them, other than they are going with a young quarterback named J.P. Losman."’