Archives for May 2006

‘Not in attendance Monday were Nate Clements, London Fletcher, Mike Gandy, Willis McGahee, Brian Moorman, Roscoe Parrish, Aaron Schobel, Spikes, Chris Villarrial and Troy Vincent.’

The Buffalo Bills have added a bus company to their list of corporate sponsors.’

‘On a Bills unit packed with a host of no-name players, the relatively unknown Aiken has a chance to be a key contributor. Don’t look for his numbers to approach the departed Moulds’ at all, but important catches could contribute to wins. For a Bills team looking to become more like their division rival, the New England Patriots , wins are the paramount issue.’

‘As the official transportation provider for the Bills, Laidlaw will receive full trademark usage of all official Bills logos; have a sponsor presence on Buffalobills.com’s group ticket section and on the Bills Jumbotron during games; and signage on the practice field at training camp. Laidlaw will also offer discounted rates for use of its buses to all Bills season ticket holders.’

‘"It reawakened in me immediately my own experience when I was just starting as a coach and how much I valued listening to someone who had experience in the field," said Levy. "It’s tremendously valuable. The learning process is there and it’s very gratifying to be able to provide that insight to young coaches who are interested."’

‘Two teams had a shot at advancing to the championship, both of them with Buffalo Bills players, the Frankfurt Galaxy (6-3) with QB Craig Ochs and S Rob Lee needed a win against the Berlin Thunder (2-6-1), while RB Fred Jackson and the Fire (5-4) needed a win over the Cologne Centurions (4-5) AND a Galaxy loss to advance.’

‘Kollar’s opinion on holding carries a lot of weight in the NFL. Prior to the NFL’s owners’ meetings this spring, Kollar was one of just two line coaches called in to speak to the league’s powerful competition committee about the state of holding calls in football.’

‘I’d toss in frugality, too. The Sabres operate $12 million below the NHL’s new $39 million cap and have adopted a policy under Golisano, the Paychex billionaire who didn’t get that way by buying a fleet of Porsches, whereby the team would not disrupt locker room harmony by signing big-name free agents to fat long-term deals.’

The team’s search for a fourth defensive end has created an opportunity for undrafted rookies Matthew Rice, Jason Hall and Ryan Neill. Rice, a three-year starter at Penn State, Hall, an All-SEC pick at Tennessee, and Neill, who had 10 sacks and 21 1/2 tackles for losses as a senior at Rutgers, are try-hard players with decent athletic ability and 4.8-second speed in the 40-yard dash. They are in the 260-pound range, so they need to add more bulk and strength. The team has two good starters Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay and top backup Ryan Denney. If Rice, Hall or Neill stands out in training camp, one of them have a chance to earn a roster spot.’

‘The Bills have a new head coach in former Chicago Bears coach Dick Jauron and Evans is excited about what the 2006 season may bring. “They’re coming in with new ideas and different things going on,” he said. “I’m excited about it. Our new coach seems like a real good guy. I’ve heard nothing but good things about him coming from players who he’s coached before.’

‘It’s impossible to know if Ochs’ play dissuaded Buffalo from drafting a quarterback last month, but that fact has to be seen as good news among Ochs’ supporters.’

‘In Buffalo, coaches and fans are hoping Aaron Gibson, the 27th overall pick of Detroit’s in 1999 who was out of football last season, can do the same. Gibson, whose 6-6, 375-pound girth rivals Williams, knows this is likely his last chance to make something of his football life.’

‘One player to watch is second-year man Justin Geisinger, a sixth-round pick out of Vanderbilt who has made strong strides under assistant Jim McNally and could wind up as Buffalo’s starting center were he to beat out free agent Melvin Fowler.’

‘The Bills will conduct a series of three-day organized team activities over a three-week period starting next week.’

‘"At his age he ought to be looking at this opportunity here and saying this is going to be my last chance," said Kollar of the 30-year old Word. "He’s got to do whatever it takes to make this team. I talked to him before he even got here and explained to him what the situation is here. We obviously have a spot at defensive end available for somebody to win."’