Archives for March 12, 2007

‘In 76 NFL games, including 41 starts, Thomas has run for 3,802 yards with a 3.8-yard average and 23 touchdowns.’

‘Thomas, who backed up McGahee this past season, immediately becomes the No. 1 back, at least for the time being. Shaud Williams, a third-stringer last season, is the only other experienced running back currently on the team’s depth chart.’

‘Thomas, entering his seventh NFL season, ran for 378 yards and two touchdowns in 2006.’

‘Thomas rushed for 1,183 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie in 2001 with the Chicago Bears under coach Dick Jauron, who took over as Bills coach last season. In 2003, Thomas rushed for 1,024 yards.’

‘No matter what they do before the draft, the Bills are now squarely in the market to take a runner on the first day.’

‘Thomas, right now, would be the starter at running back. But the Bills continue to talk with the agent for running back Chris Brown, who visited with the team last week.’

‘"It feels good," said Thomas. "I feel I know the system a lot better now the second time around."’

‘But right now, it looks as if the best team in the division – the New England Patriots – has widened the talent gap over the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and particularly the Bills.’

‘Fact is, he unnecessarily threw his former teammates under the bus. It’s true the Bills’ offensive line was an unmitigated disaster last year, but for McGahee to blame his poor production solely on that was ridiculous. If anything, the ball carrier’s hesitancy to hit holes and lack of explosiveness mostly led to his downfall.’

‘The Bills signed him to their practice squad in Week 13 of the season. “I was still under contract with the Bills and it was basically for financial reasons,” Bergeron said. “It was not guaranteed up there. I didn’t want to take the chance of going up there for training camp and getting released and stuck with no income. I basically let them know and asked them to grant me a release so I could play here this year.”‘

‘C Melvin Fowler is intelligent, technically sound and has a good feel for the game. He’s an athletic center with good footwork and lateral mobility to pull and trap effectively. He has the quickness to get to the second level and hit moving targets. Because of his lack of bulk, the 6-3, 295-pound Fowler can be overpowered by bull-rushing interior defensive linemen and has trouble at times getting a push off the line in short-yardage situations. However, the team believes he has the physical tools to anchor the offensive line for years to come.’

‘As the action slows down prior to the draft April 27-28 in New York, we take a look back at the highlights of the offseason and a look forward to what may lay ahead.’

‘”The greatest part of this job is that people have a real passion about the Buffalo Bills. The worst part of this job is that people have a real passion about the Buffalo Bills,” he said.’