Archives for June 2006

‘Q: How’s your rehab going?

A: I’m right where I need to be at this point. The main thing is that when I get to camp, they are going to have to protect me from myself. Put me on the shelf and let me have a taste every now and then. I’m back doing all of the functional things and I’m back doing them 100 percent hard. Now it’s just a matter of getting mentally tough about it.’

‘”I got the heaviest I’ve ever been last year,” said Kelsay. “The main reason behind that was I had to play inside more with Ron (Edwards) getting hurt, and Sam (Adams) getting hurt late in the year. I kind of needed to be a little bigger down in there.”‘

‘The Buffalo Bills would like to announce that the following Buffalo Bills Student Leaders have been selected for the 2006-07 season.’

‘”Dick is about as gracious and humble as anyone I’ve encountered. He really opened up his operation to (line coach) Frank (DeFelice) and I. His staff was gracious, too. He gave us an opportunity to ask questions, sit in on meetings, get into things on the field, and stand right there to see the coaching point and coaching that was going on.”‘

‘The most amazing aspect of Gilchrist’s success in Buffalo is that the team’s passing game was sub-par. During Gilchrist’s three-year tenure with the Bills, quarterbacks Warren Rabb and Jack Kemp threw 36 touchdowns against 60 interceptions. Obviously, numbers like those are enough to make fans sick to their collective stomach. Given those numbers, it’s incredible that Gilchrist was able to accumulate such gaudy stats, since opposing defenses were gunning for him each week.’

‘A free agent selection signed by the Bills on Jan. 19, Jackson is prepared to do everything first-year head coach Dick Jauron asks. The 2003 Coe graduate also plans to compete for a spot on the kickoff return, punt return and punt coverage teams. “This is (Willis) McGahee’s team and I’m just competing for a spot,” said Jackson. “But I want my opportunity. I’ve talked to the coaches and they’re excited about my stats, but the biggest thing they want me to concentrate on is to get the playbook under my belt.”‘

‘Kelly started the camp in 1988 with 325 kids ages 9 to 18. Athletes now come from all over the country to participate in the camp, which stresses the fundamentals of football and educates on a variety of topics including health and nutrition, teamwork, sportsmanship and drug awareness. This is the first year the camp has had a title sponsor, as McDonald’s partnered with Kelly.’

‘The Bills announced that Western New York area McDonald’s restaurants have agreed to serve as the title sponsor of the Jim Kelly Football Camp. Jim Kelly Football Camp began its operations in 1988 with 325 campers and now features a steady enrollment of more than 800 campers per year. Athletes come from all over the country to learn from the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and his carefully-assembled staff of instructors and current and former NFL players.’

‘"I feel like I can be productive at this level," Denney said. "I think I can help the team win ballgames. It took about a week to a week and a half to get used to the speed (of the NFL game) but it’s slowed down. I’m learning the offense. We didn’t have this complex of an offense so learning all that helps out a lot."’

‘The final important member of the Bills’ tackle rotation is Kyle Williams. A fifth-round pick, Williams certainly wasn’t a highly-touted player entering the draft. Contrary to not being well-known, Williams was always a consistent performer at LSU. He’s known for being a tough, aggressive player willing to run through a wall for his team.’

‘Defensive back LaShaun Ward was waived by the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday.’

‘”He’s a productive, hard working defensive end,” said Bills coordinator of college scouting Doug Majeski. “He’s the type of guy that’s going to do whatever it takes to make a team.”‘

‘One thing’s for sure, though. The debate in Buffalo will continue raging as to which of these two greats is the best they’ve ever witnessed. Some might say Simpson, while others would say Thomas. Either way, it’s an interesting argument that will live on for the foreseeable future. Hopefully for Bills fans, Willis McGahee’s name will enter the conversation some day.’

‘”Our scout Shawn Heinlen called him quietly productive,” said Bills Assistant GM Tom Modrak. “He made plays at Tennessee.” “I would definitely describe myself in a similar fashion,” said Hall of the ‘quietly productive’ label. “I feel like I don’t have to go out there and tell everybody what I’m going to do. My tape and my statistics speak volumes.”‘