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The Spaz
08-01-2006, 09:34 AM
The man who paved the way for Jamal Lewis' 2,066-yard rushing season in 2003 was signed by the Bills on Tuesday.

Fullback Alan Ricard, who was released by the Baltimore Ravens July 18, visited One Bills Drive the week before training camp, as the Bills expressed interest in the blocker. Ricard, however, wanted to honor the other teams who also wanted him to come in for a visit before signing with another club.

Ricard visited with Cincinnati and Houston before deciding to sign with Buffalo. And there was one main reason Ricard chose the Bills.

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=3912
Jan Reimers
08-01-2006, 10:03 AM
If he's a Sam Gash protege, he's alright in my book.
xXSpIkes5IXx
08-01-2006, 10:07 AM
I've always like this guy, In my book hes an improvement over Shelton.
Billsman12
08-01-2006, 10:14 AM
yeah, he should challenge Shelton for the starting fullback spot, he'll be practicing tonight...could be an interesting battle to keep an eye on through TC...
patmoran2006
08-01-2006, 10:25 AM
I doubt they keep two FB's so if he sticks, Shelton is gone.
HHURRICANE
08-01-2006, 10:43 AM
I doubt they keep two FB's so if he sticks, Shelton is gone.

Sounds like Marv and company are interested in improving every position. I'm not sure that this signing is going to have a huge impact but if he is better than Shelton than it another small step. Plus isn't Shelton like 32 or 33?!
doug45
08-01-2006, 10:47 AM
I like this guys attitude, we need more people like him.
bigbub2352
08-01-2006, 10:56 AM
this will spell the end for damein shelton, he is 33 and did not do a good job last year, so i could see them keeping him and goldsberry, joe burns might be a goner as well, ricard was very good on ST for the Ravens as well
DraftBoy
08-01-2006, 12:05 PM
Good move!
Mitchy moo
08-01-2006, 12:10 PM
funny how slowly but surely our team is starting to improve.
gr8slayer
08-01-2006, 12:10 PM
I like Shelton myself.
Crisis
08-01-2006, 12:48 PM
I like Shelton myself.

Me too.
madness
08-01-2006, 01:25 PM
Great. Another question mark. Marv has no clue what he is doing. /sarcasm off

:evil:
bigbub2352
08-01-2006, 01:29 PM
Shelton is a very one dimensial FB, he cant run with the ball, or run after the catch, plus he is 33 and missed alot of blocks last year , he also looks like he lost a step, Ricard is faster and does the same kinda blocking, this is nothing but good, it gives comptetion to a position that had none
HHURRICANE
08-01-2006, 01:36 PM
Shelton is a very one dimensial FB, he cant run with the ball, or run after the catch, plus he is 33 and missed alot of blocks last year , he also looks like he lost a step, Ricard is faster and does the same kinda blocking, this is nothing but good, it gives comptetion to a position that had none

More posreps for BigBub. You obviously watch the games. Good post!:posrep:
bigbub2352
08-01-2006, 02:34 PM
thanx HH i watch every kinda of football i can get, i just like it when they have real competition not a starter then an UDFA for depth,
BillsSabresB.C.T. Fan
08-01-2006, 05:18 PM
The man who paved the way for Jamal Lewis' 2,066-yard rushing season in 2003 was signed by the Bills on Tuesday.

Fullback Alan Ricard, who was released by the Baltimore Ravens July 18, visited One Bills Drive the week before training camp, as the Bills expressed interest in the blocker. Ricard, however, wanted to honor the other teams who also wanted him to come in for a visit before signing with another club.
http://buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=3912
Tatonka
08-01-2006, 05:54 PM
wonder why we signed him? shelton has been good and is the same player.

bennie anderson "blocked" for jamals 2k season too. lol.
YardRat
08-01-2006, 07:30 PM
Interesting.

Could Shelton turn into a surprise cut?
DraftBoy
08-01-2006, 07:32 PM
Threads merged! I like this move, Ricard is younger, quicker, and can carry in short yardage. Also an option out of the backfield. I think Shelton is done...any word on the contract numbers?
Philagape
08-01-2006, 08:01 PM
Why didn't he stay in Baltimore?
DraftBoy
08-01-2006, 09:15 PM
I know they were close to the cap
Amare
08-01-2006, 09:59 PM
And there was one main reason Ricard chose the Bills."Willis McGahee," said Ricard. "He's a great back and coming from Baltimore where I had so much success with Jamal Lewis I can tell Willis has the same kind of approach to the game. Willis is the kind of player who will give it his all on every play."

And people want to get rid of him? He's single handedly bringing in guys who want to help him flourish!
DraftBoy
08-02-2006, 12:10 AM
And people want to get rid of him? He's single handedly bringing in guys who want to help him flourish!


Just to note, I dont think I want to be at all associated with Jamal Lewis, this guy spent time in the federal pen, and only got off easy bc he's a star. Just not who Id want to be associated with.
jamze132
08-02-2006, 03:11 AM
I doubt they keep two FB's so if he sticks, Shelton is gone.
Yes they will, Burns will be the odd man out. Even though they list him as a RB.
jamze132
08-02-2006, 03:15 AM
I like the signing of Ricard. I do think if he starts, he will help improve our offense both running and receiving. He is a hell of a blocker. Shelton is a great blocker too but I think Ricard brings more to the table, and he is 3-4 years younger. Another thing that struck me as good was the fact that Ricard wanted to come to Buffalo. I like that. I don't see Shelton being cut, but you never know. If Ricard is fulkly recovered from his injury, he will be an upgrade.
Mr. Pink
08-02-2006, 07:42 AM
Now if only we go out and make a trade with the Steelers to bring in Dan Kreider then coax Sam Gash out of retirement....Our FB situation will look like our WR one, a bunch of the same type of player for the slot.

This gets better and better. Aren't you supposed to improve with moves not bring in more of the same?

Like Tatonka said, Bennie also "paved" the way for Jamal Lewis' 2000 yard season.

BTW who really paved the way for Jamal and his 2000 yards? The Cleveland Browns rush defense, Jamal torched them for 500 yards in 2 games.
clumping platelets
08-02-2006, 08:21 AM
Cutting Shelton saves $1 million :ontome:
HHURRICANE
08-02-2006, 08:24 AM
Cutting Shelton saves $1 million :ontome:

Bye-bye Shelton!!
madness
08-02-2006, 08:39 AM
Why didn't he stay in Baltimore?



The 29-year old fullback has spent his entire career with the Ravens, but was released by the club mainly due to a change in direction by the offense. Baltimore offensive coordinator Jim Fassel apparently has less of a need for a blocking back in his scheme and plans to make more use of the team's H-back Daniel Wilcox. The Baltimore staff was also reportedly enamored with versatile young fullback Justin Green.
But to pigeon hole Ricard as simply a blocking back would be inaccurate.
"Sometimes when you're so effective as a blocker people think that's all you can do," said Ricard. "But early on I ran it pretty well in Baltimore, had a few touchdowns and I caught some passes. I can do more than block."
jamze132
08-02-2006, 09:50 AM
Cutting Shelton saves $1 million :ontome:
Doesn't sound like a lot, but I wish I had half of that.
bigbub2352
08-02-2006, 09:57 AM
Damein Shelton is gonna be gone, they said he is coasting thru camp, remember Chicago cut him for a reason, and he is again very one dimensiional, he cant catch and run, he cant run in short yardage, so Defense key the run when he comes into the formation package, at least with Ricard they will see that he can catch and run with the ball as well as block, i think Shelton in some instantces holds Mcgahee he back from hitting the hole because he is waiting for Shelton to get thru