The Rhein Fire improved to 2-1 on the year as they defeated the visiting Scottish Claymores 34-17. Ken Simonton was held to 46 total yards but found the endzone for his fifth TD of the season late in the 4th quarter, cutting the Fire lead to 10.
BillsBeat - April 21, 2003
This Week In Bills History (April 20-26)
Under the leadership of President and General Manager Tom Donahoe, April 21 has been a significant date. On April 21, 2001, Nate Clements from Ohio State was the Bills' No. 1 pick (21st overall) in the 2001 NFL Draft. Then exactly one year later, Donahoe shipped the team's 2003 first round pick to the New England Patriots for Drew Bledsoe.
New Wallpaper
Check out the latest wallpaper featuring Takeo Spikes
Simonton scores a hit on his European tour
‘Each NFL team must send at least six players to the six-team NFL Europe, whose 10-game season runs April-June. After that, players report to their NFL teams and stay on the roster as long as they can. Most NFL contracts are not guaranteed, and most NFL Europe players are like Simonton, who went undrafted and signed a free-agent contract with the Buffalo Bills.’
Sam Adams Assigned #95
DT Sam Adams will wear 95.
BillsBeat - April 20, 2003
Prospect Profile: TE Jason Witten
Well-built athlete with long arms and legs…Has the frame to add needed bulk without any drop-off in quickness…Has a sharp change of direction…Gets a good push off the defender to escape the jam…Stays low, extends his arms and keeps his feet shuffling when providing pass protection.
Prospect Profile: DT Johnathan Sullivan
Plays with impressive quickness off the snap…Pursues until the whistle and is known as an all-out hustler…Has great hand strength, delivering a punishing jab to disengage from the blockers.
Defense still tops Bills draft list
‘The defensive back crop is very, very good.’
A.J. Smith wants opportunity at the GM job
Smith and Butler were together with the Chicago Blitz of the USFL, the Chargers in the late 1980s and then spent 14 seasons with the Buffalo Bills, where Butler became GM in 1993.
BillsBeat - April 19, 2003
Bills Draft Central
Given what the Bills have done in free agency this offseason, their options are wide-open going into the draft. DE Michael Haynes, DE Rien Long, CB Dennis Weathersby, TE Jason Witten, and S Mike Doss are among the players that have been projected to fit Buffalo's needs.
Prospect Profile: Safety Mike Doss
Has above average quickness, agility, awareness and acceleration…Has an explosive closing burst and is very effective mirroring the receiver’s moves in the short-to-medium areas…Supports with aggression in run force, showing the burst needed to close and stay in front of the opponent.
Empire in danger of losing Rochester, Syracuse outlets
‘Andre Reed is the latest former Buffalo Bill to head to the broadcasting booth. The Bills’ all-time leading receiver will work two games in May for Fox Sports Net’s coverage of NFL Europe.’
Bills filled key void before draft
‘Just because the coach and linebacker came from Cincinnati, a 2-14 team, it will not prevent them from being impact people who will help put the Bills over .500 and into the AFC playoffs. LeBeau, who begins his 45th year in the NFL, will fill in the mental voids left by head coach Gregg Williams and defensive coordinator Jerry Gray. Spikes, while vying with London Fletcher for vocal leadership, will fill in defensive voids.’
Brandon makes impact
‘Thomas emerged for the Bills late last season, breaking up five passes in the final two games. He intercepted a Brett Favre pass against Green Bay, and started the finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. He will compete for the third cornerback spot this summer.’
Delamielleures know the wait can be trying
‘Then the phone rang. A guy identified himself as Ralph and welcomed Delamielleure to the team, adding that someone would be calling shortly. "I thought I had been drafted by the Steelers," he said. "I didn’t realize Ralph was Ralph Wilson, owner of the Buffalo Bills."’