‘He had in his possession one partially smoked marijuana cigarette, according to the report.’
BillsBeat - May 10, 2004
Former NFL star arrested
Former NFL star Thurman Thomas arrested on drug charges
‘Former NFL running back Thurman Thomas was arrested over the weekend and charged with marijuana possession, according to a police report.’
Hall of Famer arrested in Fairhope
‘Fairhope police say he was booked into the Fairhope jail and released at about four Saturday morning. He spoke with NBC15 about his arrest. Thomas says it is all a misunderstanding. “You know, I’m a good guy. I took the fall for some other people and that’s, that’s just what happens, you know. I’m, sometimes, you know, you be such a nice of a good guy, you take the fall for some people that might put you in a bad situation.”‘
Inside slant
‘”You ask the vets … ‘If we can get another chance to be together and talk about the system, it would be another chance to help us win,'” said Mularkey. “But it’s not just (the rookie camp weekend). We’ve had 50-plus players a day in here working out. Their commitment has been very impressive since the first day we’ve been here.”‘
Strategy and personnel
‘While outsiders think Henry is fast becoming expendable with 2003 first-round pick Willis McGahee ready to take the field in contact drills after recovering from major knee surgery, the Bills feel just the opposite.’
Notes, quotes, anecdotes
‘QB J.P. Losman turned heads in Bills rookie camp with his quick release, strong arm and mobility. Twice he hit fellow No. 1 pick Lee Evans on deep passes, giving a glimpse into Buffalo’s future. Wearing No. 7, he also looked like a bigger, stronger version of Doug Flutie. “He throws a good ball and has a good strong arm. He looks like a fairly mobile guy,” veteran Drew Bledsoe commented. “He’s definitely a solid player. It’ll be interesting to watch him develop and hopefully in a few years down the road when I ride off into the sunset I can look back and watch the progress he’s made with us working together.”‘
Bills Team Report
‘More is needed from Ryan Denney, who had good moments last year but contributed little in several games. He has the size and strength to shed run blocks but lacks the athleticism to be more than an average pass rusher.’
IntroducingÖ Tim Anderson
‘Q: Favorite vacation spot?
TA: I’ve never been on vacation.’
Bills Alumni Spotlight: Bryce Paup
Paup’s first year with the Bills could have been a television program on the Discovery Channel called ‘Monster Season.’ In the third game, he sacked Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh three times,had 14 tackles and forced two fumbles. That effort earned him the first of two AFC Defensive Player of the Week Awards. He was also later selected as November’s AFC Player of the Month.
BillsBeat - May 9, 2004
Jim Ritcher To Go On The Bills Wall
‘Ritcher is third on the Bills all time games played list with 222. He trails only Bruce Smith and Andre Reed.’
Ritcher moved by selection
‘"I was a little undersized when I came into the league and in order to beat the lineman across from me I had to know where he was going before he started going there," Ritcher said. "Joe Devlin was a big reason I was able to do that. He took me under his wing and taught me how to watch film and helped me develop. Then you had Fred Smerlas across from me every day in practice. He made me a better player every day. I was blessed with good teammates."’
Don't worry, Bledsoe won't be hurting for money with new deal
‘The only way Bledsoe would get cut after 2004 is if he and the Bills have as miserable a season as they did in 2003. The expectation is Losman will be starting in 2006, if not some time during the 2005 season. So the chances of Bledsoe seeing the 2006 salary are questionable.’
Ritcher fondly recalls K-Gun
‘”We just had so many great people playing for the Bills, I didn’t think I’d stack up. There aren’t enough walls in that stadium to cover all the great players I was blessed to play with.”‘
Bills naming Ritcher to Wall of Fame was no surprise
‘Beginning in 1983, Ritcher started every game he played for 11 seasons … missing a mere four starts due to injury.’