Cota agreed to terms of a contract with the Bills last Thursday, but did not sign the official document which would have made him a member of the club. He spoke with Bills Head Coach Gregg Williams over the weekend, informing him of his decision to retire.
BillsBeat - June 10, 2003
Ten 'must stops' on training camp tour
Pat Kirwan writes: “Last but not least, the Buffalo Bills. Tom Donahoe has done a masterful job over the past two years — clearing cap space, acquiring Drew Bledsoe, drafting well and securing quality veteran talent for the defense. Even if rookie running back Willis McGahee is out in shorts doing some drill work, it makes this stop a must. I think the Bills are poised to make a significant move this year, and I want to know this team inside and out. “
What's Willis worth? Contract for McGahee lies in the balance
‘"He gets deals done, I will say that about Drew," Donahoe said. "He does a good job for his clients. He fights for them. He’s an advocate for them. When push comes to shove, he will get a deal done."’
Friday the 13th lucky for Bills fans
‘The Buffalo Bills will hold a free public practice from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Friday in Ralph Wilson Stadium, weather permitting. Fans will be able to get a glimpse of the new AstroPlay surface at that time.’
Bills practice open
‘The Buffalo Bills will have a free open practice at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Friday, playing on the team’s new AstroPlay surface.’
Simonton hoping to cash in with the Bills
‘"The reason for coming here was to make Buffalo’s decision hard and, after I’ve come here and produced well, they have to make the decision," he said. "I don’t have a problem moving on. I hope my opportunity is in Buffalo, but, if it’s not, I’ll make no beef about it. I just hope what I’ve been doing is not in vain. I know when I work hard that opportunities will come."’
BillsBeat - June 9, 2003
Bills Express Tickets Now On Sale
The Buffalo Bills Express is the easiest way for fans that live across New York State to attend the Bills home games. Passengers will board an Amtrak charter train on Sunday morning and travel hassle-free to the game. Fans aboard the Bills Express arrive at the stadium early without having to worry about driving and parking.
Player Q&A: CB Kevin Thomas
Cornerback Kevin Thomas enters his second season in the NFL. As a rookie, the former four-year starter at UNLV played in six games and made his first NFL start in the season finale against Cincinnati on December 29. For the season, Thomas recorded six tackles and one interception, which came on the opening drive against the Green Bay Packers on December 22.
This Week In Bills History (June 8-14)
June 9, 1967 – BILLS & CITY AGREE ON A 3-YEAR LEASE
City of Buffalo Mayor Frank Sedita and Bills' owner Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. agreed on a new three-year lease for War Memorial Stadium; the Bills paying the city four percent of its revenues and the city taking over stadium maintenance.
Learn From The ProsÖ Punter Brian Moorman
Catch the snap and hold the ball in your hand with the laces up. Hold the ball in front of your kicking leg as you take two steps. Do not throw the ball up or out in front of you. Drop it smoothly just before your second step hits the ground. Do not wind up your kicking leg for more power, as power comes from good technique.
Tie-break fiasco robs Claymores of World final
Ken Simonton today urged the NFL to scrap the Europe League set-up after the Scottish Claymores finished tied for top spot but still missed out on World Bowl XI.
RB Simonton and his teammates defeated the Amsterdam Admirals 31-14 at Hampden Park yesterday to finish off the season with a 6-4 record.
That put Gene Dahlquist’s on-form side level with German giants Frankfurt Galaxy and Rhein Fire after a dramatic final weekend of fixtures.
But they failed to qualify for the World Bowl due to an unusual three way tie-breaker system, which means Galaxy and Fire will fight it out at Hampden on Saturday.
And Buffalo Bills allocate Simonton, who capped a sensational season by rushing for 151 yards and was named MVP, reckons that is unfair. "My job is just to play football. At the end of it all we didn’t do what we needed to do in order to get to the World Bowl," he said. "It is up to other people to examine how the league works. But I do think they have got to re-evaluate what’s being done as it makes no sense. It doesn’t add up."
Ex-athlete helps youths score
‘He was an All-American guard on the University of Michigan football team and a six-time all-pro lineman in the National Football League, playing 13 seasons and opening holes for O.J. Simpson when the Buffalo Bills star became the first professional player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season. After retiring from football, he moved into the front office of the Seattle Seahawks and experienced first-hand the lavish lifestyles of the rich and famous at NFL owner meetings. But McKenzie never forgot where he came from — the hard-scrabble neighborhoods of Highland Park and Detroit — or the youngsters who reminded him so much of himself.’
Training Camp Preview: Buffalo Bills
Position Battles: Reed wants to earn his starting assignment in training camp, but the job is already his-barring injury. The Bills brought in veteran Bobby Shaw and drafted Sam Aiken in the fourth round, but they will fall in line along with Charles Johnson at numbers three, four, and five. Shaw is the likely three, the role he played the last two seasons in Pittsburgh and Jacksonville.
You never have enough running backs
The Buffalo Bills had the AFC’s fifth best performer in Travis Henry last season, yet they still drafted Willis McGahee, who won’t be ready for another year. The Bills may still need to add one more to the roster.
BillsBeat - June 8, 2003
Bills To Hold Public Practice On June 13
Buffalo Bills fans will have a double treat on Friday, June 13th when the team will have an open practice on the final day of its Organized Team Activity, weather permitting. Fans will also get their first glimpse of the new AstroPlay surface inside Ralph Wilson Stadium at this time. There is no charge for admittance.