Archives for April 25, 2005

‘The Bills did, however, succeed in achieving a major objective — adding speed to bolster the league’s 27th-ranked passing game. They got that with two University of Miami players, wide receiver Roscoe Parrish and tight end Kevin Everett.’

‘Yet, they haven’t traded for Henry, which would seem to fuel suspicions that their involvement with Buffalo has a lot to do with trying to get Brian Westbrook to sign a long-term contract at a number they can accept. If the Eagles trade for Henry, who has a year left on his contract, they are said to be ready to sign him to a long-term deal, which would pretty much shut the door on one with Westbrook. The Eagles have offered Westbrook a 1-year restricted free-agent tender, for $1.43 million. He hasn’t signed it.’

‘No one completed a trade for Buffalo Bills running back Travis Henry, and Reid continued to leave open the possibility his team would make such a move despite selecting Louisiana Tech tailback Ryan Moats with the 77th pick. ”We’re probably OK right now, [but] we haven’t completely pulled out of the other deal [for Henry],” Reid said after the Eagles finished making their 11th and final draft pick of 2005.’

‘The Bills’ Jim McNally is one of the most respected line coaches in the league, and Preston could be groomed to replace Trey Teague as soon as the 2006 season. "I think it’s going to be a real good opportunity to play,” Preston said. "I’m real confident.”’

‘The club will announce its full list on Monday, but two players known to be signed are Purdue FB John Goldsberry and Wisconsin safety Jim Leonhard. Goldsberry was an inside linebacker when he came to Purdue. Leonhard is a good punt returner.’

‘The decision not to draft defensive tackles is a ringing endorsement of Tim Anderson, who is the favorite to replace Pat Williams (Vikings), and top backup Ron Edwards.’

‘Gudmundsen, who is 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, signed with the Bills less than an hour after the draft ended after a phone call from Bills offensive line coach Jim McNally, who had dinner with Gudmundsen on Easter Sunday. They first met a few years ago, when McNally was a Giants’ assistant and Gudmundsen was working as a security guard at the team’s training camp at UAlbany. "He’s a legend in his field," Gudmundsen said. "I told him I’d be playing for him one day."’

‘The Bills say the trade possibilities aren’t dead, but right now they appear to be in critical condition.’

”’I’m certainly extremely happy to be with Buffalo. I know they liked me a lot. I think I’m a player that can fit into their system. It’s a blue collar type of city and I like that.”’

‘Preston was the second player selected from the Illinois team this year, joining cornerback Kelvin Hayden who was selected by Indianapolis in the second round yesterday.’

‘Badgers not drafted that signed free agent deals are Safety Jim Leonhard(Buffalo Bills), and Long Snapper Matt Katula(Baltimore Ravens) among others.’

‘Receiver Tony Brown has signed a free agent deal with the Buffalo Bills.’

‘Preston visited Buffalo on April 6 and met with the coaching staff. He said he discussed playing center for the Bills and expects to fill a role on the field early on. "I should have a really good opportunity to go out there and do my thing," Preston said. "You don’t see a lot of guys go to play guard, that inside swingman, so I figured that would be me."’

‘"I play with a chip on my shoulder," King said. "For so long — all my life, actually — I’ve been told what I can’t do. I just try to prove the naysayers wrong."’

‘Goldsberry played fullback for Purdue and was a team co-captain his senior year. While he had only 10 carries for 50 yards, he was a key blocker when the wide-open Boilermaker offense was in short-yardage situations.’