Archives for February 2007

‘Coach Belichick seems to be having a great time. He even told me last night he was glad to have me on his side for once, so that was pretty cool. You can tell he wants to win the game though, but who doesn’t want to win? You’d expect that. He was ribbing Kaeding about the kick he missed that helped the Patriots win in the playoffs, so he has a good sense of humor.’

‘"No, I didn’t call any of those trick plays," said Kugler, who was introduced Tuesday as the Bills’ new assistant offensive line coach. "It’s funny, because Boise State is kind of a blue-collar program. The kids are real tough and they work hard. But they’ll always be remembered for those trick plays."’

‘”And getting a chance to work again with coach Jauron who I worked with in Detroit is exciting too. If you grew up in Western New York you grew up a Bills fan. I went to several Bills games growing up. It’s exciting for my wife and I to get back and be surrounded by friends and family.”‘

‘During Kugler’s lone season with Boise State, the Broncos averaged 222 rushing yards per game, sixth in the nation.’

‘Kugler was the assistant head coach with undefeated Boise State.’

‘On February 21st, the young women will fly to Kuwait and from there board Blackhawk helicopters bound for Iraq. They’re off to perform for the service men and women overseas.’

‘Buffalo has its share of holes to fill this offseason, but neither safety position needs any changing. Whitner and Simpson should both turn into high-caliber players at their respective spots soon enough, meaning Levy took care of the crucial back end of the Bills’ secondary for years to come.’

‘”To me a complete back is one who catches the ball … not one who comes off the field on third down.”‘

‘Kugler was an assistant head coach with Boise State last year, and previously spent five seasons with the Detroit Lions, where he worked with current Bills coach Dick Jauron. In Buffalo, Kugler fills the post vacated by Larry Zierlein, who was named the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach last week.’

‘Kugler also worked with Bills Head Coach Dick Jauron for two seasons in Detroit at the end of his five year stint with the Lions (2001-2005).’

‘"Sean is a very bright, hard working guy," said Jauron. "He has experience in the league and experience coaching in college. He’s a terrific person and addition to our staff. I think he’ll fit in well. It’s tremendous for us to get him with his talents and his ability."’

‘After my controversial disqualification last year in the Pro Bowl Skills challenge, I’m hopeful I can be part of the competition again this year.’

‘For one, the 13-year-old JumboTron is fading fast. Its image is starting to flicker, and repair parts are no longer available. In addition, the Buffalo Bills are not only enormously popular among Western New Yorkers, but their presence gives the area an unquantifiable boost in stature. And, of course, the county owns the stadium and it is contractually obligated to the Bills to maintain it, so there’s a legal requirement for the county to put money into this stadium.’

‘"For the first time in five years here I can honestly say it was fun," Wire said. "It’s a totally different makeup on the team now. I firmly believe this team is on the rise. I think we have a good core group of guys, and I think they’re going to bring in the right kind of guys. You have to have chemistry in this league."’

‘Wire said he is most encouraged by the fact that he will now have a full offseason to learn the intricacies of the linebacker position in Buffalo’s defensive system after being forced to learn the weak side and middle linebacker positions on the fly late last year. “We have coaches in DeMontie Cross and Matt Sheldon that are very passionate about what they do and I’m excited to learn from them,” he said. “They’re going to teach me the trade and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s going to be an exciting year for me.”‘