Archives for June 6, 2006

‘Cooper will use Buffalo’s NFL Europe exemption which was formerly placed on quarterback Tory Woodbury. Woodbury is currently on NFL Europe’s injured reserve list.’

‘”I saw the opportunity here and the coaches liked me,” said Cooper of his decision to sign with the Bills. “They watched a lot of film on me from NFL Europe and in college and they were interested. I had a couple of choices and I thought this was the best fit for me.”‘

‘Ochs suffered an undisclosed injury playing in Frankfurt’s season finale last month. He has been placed on the Bills NFL Europe injury list.’

‘The whole weekend was expected to net in excess of $200,000 for the Kelly for Kids Foundation and the Hunter’s Hope Foundation, said Ann Brooker, Kelly for Kids executive director. "It’s unbelievable," Kelly said. "After about the fifth one, you wonder how long you’re going to do this. You want to think you’re going to have some impact in the City of Buffalo. We’ve raised close to $4 million for Kelly for Kids in the last 20 years for Western New York charities, and that’s unbelievable."’

‘Offering no explanation other than saying it is "my gut feeling," Thomas predicted the Bills’ days in Buffalo are numbered. "I think in the next couple of years you’re going to see the moment that the Bills have an opportunity to leave, or if things are not going well here I think they will pick up and leave," he said. "With Ralph [Wilson, the Bills’ owner] talking about the small market and not being able to compete with the other [big-market] teams, it’s pretty safe to say [they’re leaving]. I would give it three or four years, maybe."’

‘Said Thomas: “I know when we played whether it was mandatory or voluntary, we showed up. “We didn’t do a lot, but we showed up (laughter). Maybe it’s a different breed now. But he (McGahee) is the main guy for the Bills’ offense and if you want to be a true leader and if you call yourself the best back in the NFL, then you should act like it and show your true colors and be here.”‘