Rookies Assigned Numbers: Willis McGahee (42), Terrence McGee (36) Angelo Crowell (54), Mario Haggan (53), Ben Sobieski (64), Lauvale Sape (66), Chris Kelsay (72), Sam Aiken (89)…
BillsBeat - April 29, 2003
Sape, Freitas get their shots in the NFL
‘"This is shocking for me. I have wanted to play in the league for a long time and a lot of people didn’t think I was going to get drafted," said Sape, a 6-foot-1, 297-pound defensive tackle who still calls Wahiawa home.’
BillsBeat - April 28, 2003
Bills agree to terms with nine undrafted free agents
‘The Buffalo Bills agreed to terms Monday with two wide receivers and two offensive tackles among nine undrafted free agents.’
Undrafted Free Agent: S Jerton Evans
Four-year starter who is a hard-hitting safety playing with a linebacker's mentality … Has started 42 games during his career … Recorded 293 tackles (194 solos) with 8 stops behind the line of scrimmage, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 13 deflected passes and 6 interceptions in 47 contests.
Undrafted Free Agent: LS Jon Dorenbos
Pronounced: Dorn-bus…moved from linebacker to fullback in the spring.
Undrafted Free Agent: Offensive Tackle Gary Byrd
Has a strong, thick frame with good foot balance, impressive strength and quickness out of his stance.
Haggan 'crushed' over seventh-round selection
‘"He’s crushed," said Phillips referring to Haggan’s late selection. "He thought he was a second-round pick. He’s just crushed. There’s nothing wrong with him. physically at all. This was a huge blow to him in many ways including financially."’
Donahoe finds another draft gem
‘Besides, Buffalo’s situation and McGahee’s potential made grabbing him a bet too good to pass up. Especially since Donahoe placed it with found money.’
It's too early to grade the Bills' draft
‘”I don’t think it’s ever been detrimental in football to have depth and competition. For the people who are in personnel, that’s our job, to get as many good football players at as many positions as we can.” He concluded, “That (competition) sorts itself out. Sometimes it’s because of injuries and sometimes it sorts itself out as far as what a player can or can’t do. Some players rise to the occasion in a competitive situation … and some don’t.”‘
Bills Agree To Terms With 10 College Free Agents
The Bills today announced that the team has agreed to terms with 10 undrafted college free agents.
Gary Byrd, OT, Clemson;
Jon Dorenbas, LS, UTEP;
Jerton Evans, S, Virginia;
Anthony Floyd, S, Louisville;
Ken Hilliard, CB. TCU;
Paris Jackson, WR, Utah;
Jason Johnson, QB, Arizona;
Jerel Myers, WR, LSU;
Justin Sands, OT, Kansas;
Randy Thomas, TE, Wake Forest
Regarding Henry
It’s a business, a tough business. Maybe they figure since you were the 58th pick in 2001, and if they can get 3,600 yards in three years out of you, and turn that into, say, the seventh player in 2004, they’re making a great investment. Those are lots of maybes, but that’s the only way this thing makes any sense to me at all.
On Shocking Picks and Christmas Ghosts
Draft report cards: How the 32 teams fared
General manager Tom Donahoe is one of the best in the business, but taking McGahee will be a decision that might haunt him. They re-grouped nicely to take Kelsay in the second round to help the pass rush.
Bills draft analysis
It’s a good thing the Bills didn’t need a lot of immediate help because they didn’t get much. The team pulled the surprise of the draft by selecting running back Willis McGahee in the first round. This was a questionable selection
McGahee pick is still talk of the town
‘Even Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. said Sunday he had no idea the Bills would take McGahee until "about a half-hour before we made the pick."’