Archives for August 2005

‘”We didn’t do the things that needed to be done last year,” Spikes said.’

‘Funeral attendees said that even though they knew Hunter wouldn’t live forever, after spending years watching him grow, letting go is extremely hard. “We knew it was coming, but it doesn’t lessen the pain,” said Ellen Laitz of North Buffalo, a volunteer with the Hunter’s Hope Foundation.’

‘”The luxury part is we get to learn from some great linebackers and get their experiences. The flip side of it is it’s tough to see those guys making plays and knowing that you have the same ability to go out there and make plays, too.”‘

‘”It’s been a while, and I could tell,” said Tucker, the versatile Buffalo Bills offensive lineman, who returned to practice this week for the first time since undergoing off-season back surgery. “I felt a little sluggish out there. I just have to get used to moving. It’ll take a few days to get everything back, but it’s coming.”‘

‘”Your life was a miracle, a gift from the hand of a good and gracious God,” Jill Kelly said in her narration of one of the video tributes. “The lives that God has changed through you are countless. The memories we will cherish are endless.”‘

‘”The most impressive thing is his ability to work with J.P. and to make J.P. a better player,” Mularkey said. “With all the experience he’s gone through as a starter and as a back-up and with some of the big games he’s had, those are things you can’t count out. He’s been really good when he’s had the opportunities.”‘

‘”I like his running style,” Bills head coach Mike Mularkey said after a recent practice. “He’s got some feel for the inside running game and he’s not bad outside either. He’s hit some things outside … He’s got speed for a big guy. He’s cut pretty well for a rookie back that is new to this.”‘

‘After a week of camp work at the center position, the Bills are now trying Preston out at guard, despite the fact that he hasn’t played the position since he attended Mt. Carmel High School in San Diego, California. “He really did not have a lot of reps at [guard] and he went into the scrimmage and played right guard and was very good at it,” said head coach Mike Mularkey. “We feel like the more [reps] we can get him the better he’ll be.”‘

‘How would you like to take a class where your professors are named Mularkey, Losman, and Donohue?’

‘Tuesday, so called football widows got the chance to learn about the game hands-on with the Buffalo Bills at training camp in Pittsford. Among those participating, the team owner’s wife, who says her husband is thrilled that she’s involved. "He loves the fact that I love to go and that I’m really interested and that I’m a competitor also," says Mary Wilson.’

‘"I hate to seem him go through stuff like this," said Darryl Talley, former Buffalo Bill.’

‘It was a faith-filled ceremony that included videotaped messages from Hunter’s caregivers and his big sister. There were several photos showing the family together and with every photograph, proof that Jill Kelly rarely left her son’s side. She said her son bolstered her faith.’

‘”Hunter was strong,” said Thurman Thomas. “Like Jim always said, he was a strong individual that touched a lot of people’s lives.”‘

‘Guard Chris Villarrial missed a second straight workout today. Center Trey Teague also getting a day off. Teague’s reps with the offense went to Ross Tucker.’

‘”This off-season I put myself in the best position,” Reed explained. “I came in in pretty good shape, I have three years under my belt and a year with this staff so I think I can go out there and not only try to produce as a player but help these younger guys out and learning everything so they come in and help too.”‘