May 31, 2005

Buffalo Bills Celebration Of Champions Weekend

This weekend, June 2nd - 5th the Buffalo Bills will have a Celebration of Champions Weekend at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Dick's Sporting Goods and Reebok are presenting the Celebration. The festivities begin Thursday with a carnival in the Stadium parking lot, which will run all weekend long. Friday evening will delight fans as the "Great Houston Comeback" is shown on the jumbotron. Admission is $5 to the presentation with all proceeds to benefit the Make - A - Wish Foundation of Western New York.

May 30, 2005

Bills Team Report

Newly signed free agent G Greg Jerman adds much needed experience to the team's offensive line depth. G/C Ross Tucker and G/T Lawrence Smith are the only backup linemen with significant playing time. But Tucker is coming off off-season back surgery and may not be ready to play when training camp begins. Jerman played in 11 games with one start at guard in three years with the Dolphins. He also can play tackle, his position in college. He's a physical player with good size and the strength to knock defenders off the ball.

May 29, 2005

Could '64 Bills have won 'Super Bowl' against Browns?

The old war stories will be traded back and forth when former Buffalo Bills from the team's two great eras reunite for the team's Celebration of Champions next weekend.

Jack Kemp, Jim Kelly and a slew of other ex-Bills will return to Ralph Wilson Stadium for the 40th anniversary of the 1965 championship team and a 15th anniversary of the Bills' first Super Bowl team. Festivities run Thursday through Sunday, highlighted by the unveiling of the team's throwback jersey at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

So it's a good week to chew on a hot stove topic: How would the Bills' greatest AFL championship team, the 1964 squad, have fared against the NFL champion Cleveland Browns?

Wyche finds an eager pupil in Losman

Sam Wyche has a favorite quotation from General Douglas MacArthur, one he has passed on to his prize pupil, new Buffalo Bills quarterback J.P. Losman: "You never give a command that can be understood. You always give commands that cannot be misunderstood."

"There's a lot of depth to that," Wyche said last week during the Bills' latest minicamp.

May 28, 2005

Kevin Thompson's NFL Europe Diary

Cologne quarterback Kevin Thompson was allocated to the Centurions from the Buffalo Bills, and is heading to Europe for a second stint in the league after playing for Frankfurt in 2001. This week Thompson talks about a disappointing loss to Amsterdam, and the franchises’ hopes for a big crowd for their final home game against Rhein.

Bills report: Notes, quotes

--A half-dozen veterans skipped at least the final day of Organized Team Activity workouts at Ralph Wilson Stadium. That still meant some 80 players did take part, including QB J.P. Losman who wouldn't dream of skipping. He's been handed the starting job and the work he's putting in during May should make things run smoother come July. "Anytime you get a chance to come out here with the receivers, especially organized and running plays that we are going to run during the year, it's very critical," Losman said. "I'm very fortunate for the guys here that we're getting our timing down now."

Bills report: Inside slant

--The Bills have six tight ends on their roster and one playing in NFL Europe. Unfortunately for the coaching staff planning for the 2006 season and new quarterback J.P. Losman who needs to get his timing down, the three top players at the position are recovering from serious knee surgeries.

Parcells gives Bledsoe some space

Drew Bledsoe is finding there's a difference between playing for Bill Parcells fresh out of college as the No. 1 overall draft pick and as a 12-year veteran quarterback. On their first day back on the field together in eight years, Parcells on Friday was content mostly watching Bledsoe from a distance during the start of the Dallas Cowboys' only veteran minicamp before training camp.

Injured tight ends eye training camp

The Buffalo Bills' injury-plagued tight end position is beginning to look a whole lot better.

Coach Mike Mularkey said starter Mark Campbell and No. 1 backup Tim Euhus are recovering from reconstructive knee surgery so well that both could be ready for the start of training camp in July.

Lee glad for run at No. 2

Everyone knows who the Buffalo Bills' starting running back is. But Willis McGahee's primary backup has yet to be determined.

If the Bills are successful in trading Travis Henry, the No. 2 job will be up for grabs. One possibility is free agent pickup RaShard Lee, signed last week to compete with Shaud Williams, Joe Burns and Lionel Gates for that spot.

May 27, 2005

Wilson smells trouble for NFL's small-market teams

In 1998, the Buffalo Bills were feeling pretty good about their financial future.

A renovated stadium, more luxury seating and a new 15-year lease with Erie County created more revenue streams while cutting down on team operating expenses.

Maguire a Moorman Admirer

As the 40th anniversary of the Bills 1965 AFL Championship is celebrated this season fans will remember the players from that era, most notably those on defense which carried the team to back-to-back AFL titles. The offense had its moments too, more in '64 than '65, but special teams played a strong role too. Paul Maguire, who came to the Bills in '64 after four years with the Chargers, was the punter for the unit.

Reich takes his game to higher level

Frank Reich sends his regrets. Unfortunately, he can't attend next weekend's Celebration of Champions, a tribute to the most accomplished teams in Buffalo Bills history. Normally, he would welcome the opportunity to see his old teammates, to relive the Super Bowl seasons and savor memories of the greatest NFL comeback of them all.

But Reich can't make it. That's the weekend he'll complete eight years of study and graduate from the Charlotte, N.C., campus of the Reformed Theological Seminary.

Cameo roles challenge 'backer backups

Angelo Crowell, Mario Haggan and Josh Stamer are like the Maytag repairman. They don't get much work, either.

That's what happens when you're backing up three of the most durable and dependable linebackers in the National Football League.

May 26, 2005

New Bills RB Comfortable with Backup Role

Running back RaShard Lee knows his place with the Buffalo Bills -- right behind Willis McGahee.

Lee, a free agent who signed with the Bills earlier this month, said he has no problem with that. He says he's a team person and just wants to win.

Notes: TE's Campbell and Euhus Progressing

Buffalo's first week of voluntary Organized Team Activity (OTA) concluded on Thursday with a workout on the team's grass practice field adjacent to the Bills FieldHouse.

Two of Losman's targets, tight ends Mark Campbell and Tim Euhus, are still recovering from late season reconstructive knee surgery. But Head Coach Mike Mularkey says the pair is progressing well and may actually be "a little bit ahead of schedule" with their rehab.

Langan kicking around dream

Justin Langan would like to put his name with the likes of Adam Vinatieri and David Akers as one of the NFL’s top kickers. Langan will take his first step in “living a dream” when he attends an NFL combine in Los Angeles on June 5 and less than two weeks later, on June 17, he will try out for the Buffalo Bills.

Oh, Henry: Adams says Titans want ex-Vol

If the Titans are able to strike a deal with the Buffalo Bills for running back Travis Henry, it would make one important person happy: owner Bud Adams. "We're interested in Henry,'' Adams said yesterday from the NFL Meetings in Washington, D.C. "He wants to get out of Buffalo. We think he has a lot of ability. We think he has four good years left. Because of where he went to college I think he'd be real popular with the fans.

May 25, 2005

Bills Sign Lineman Greg Jerman

The Bills today announced that the team has signed OL Greg Jerman. In accordance with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Seven inducted to football hall of fame

The Sacramento State Football Alumni Chapter inducted seven members to its Hall of Fame on Friday, May 20. The group was comprised of players Tony Corbin, Gregg Dockweiller, Ken Gardner, Rod McMasters, Daimon Shelton, coach Darren Arbet and contributor Jim Boras. Daimon Shelton played just one season for the Hornets but has enjoyed one of the longest NFL careers by any Sacramento State alum.

Bills tidbits- Titans interested in Henry,

While the hand injury to RB Chris Brown prompted speculation the Titans might need to make a run at acquiring Henry, Pro Football Weekly cites sources who indicate the team is in no hurry to make a deal. In fact, the sources say Tennessee might not be willing to part with a first-day pick in next year's draft, said to be Buffalo's asking price. The Titans offered the Bills a fifth-round pick for Henry during April's draft and have continued discussions recently. Henry, who skipped the Bills' recent minicamp and has vowed not to return or play for the Bills, has been seeking a trade since the end of the season. He has one year remaining on his contract.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports the Buffalo Bills were the other team to call agent Ken Harris about PK Paul Edinger, before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings.

Roy Cummings, of the Tampa Tribune, reports free agent S John Howell (Buccaneers) said the Buffalo Bills were interested in possibly signing him. As noted earlier, Howell has narrowed his choices to signing with the Seattle Seahawks or re-signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Henry Stuck

If there is one thing a common job seeker can say, it’s the fact that they can quit and move on from a job to another at any given point. You can always be a free agent, looking for the best qualified offer. In athletics, when you’re unhappy with a contract you can voice your opinion like a little kid and still get no results. At the end of the day, your contract binds you to obey and fulfill until it expires. Few complaints can be brought up if you want to participate in the sport and earn a pay check.

May 24, 2005

NFL bans horse-collar tackle; decisions on Vikings sale, 2009 Super Bowl still to come

NFL owners eliminated the horse-collar tackle Tuesday, then maintained the suspense for at least one more day regarding the sale of the Minnesota Vikings and the selection of a site for the 2009 Super Bowl.

Sanders, Thomas highlight 2005 hall of fame class

Former Oklahoma State and NFL rushing greats Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas highlight a class of six inductees this year to the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. Sanders, the 1988 Heisman Trophy winner, and Thomas, 1991 NFL most valuable player, will be inducted Aug. 22 with former NBA player Mark Price, former University of Oklahoma track star J.D. Martin, former University of Oklahoma baseball standout L. Dale Mitchell and former Negro Leagues pitcher Wilbur "Bullet" Joe Rogan.

A Rheem Dream

The NFL has seen its share of kicker families. The Bahrs, the Zendejas brothers, and the Gramaticas. Fighting to join that list are Bills rookie free agent Joe Rheem and his older brother Jamie. Both kicked for Kansas State, or K-State as it's called in Manhattan, Kansas. Lately the 'k' has stood for kicker with Martin Gramatica setting the bar, and Jamie and Joe Rheem carrying on what has become an impressive string of kicking prowess for the Wildcats.

Buffalo Bills to Host Bills Backers Weekend

Bills Backers from all over the world are invited to attend Bills Backers Weekend to be held the weekend of October 9th when the Bills host AFC East-rival Miami Dolphins at 1 pm.

May 23, 2005

Steelers set for another strong run at AFC title

This is the second of eight stories examining NFL teams as they prepare for training camp. Today's installment focuses on the AFC North.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a season to remember. Despite injuries that forced young players into the lineup, they managed to roll through the NFL before being derailed by New England in the AFC Championship Game.

May 22, 2005

Tom Roth Promoted to Bills Scout

Cleveland area-native Tom Roth has been named the Buffalo Bills BLESTO scout after spending the past two seasons as the team’s College Scouting Administrator. Roth’s scouting territory will include colleges in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and the Washington D.C. area.

Pats have a familiar ring

This is the first of eight stories examining NFL teams as they prepare for training camp. Today's installment focuses on the AFC East.

Back-to-back Super Bowl championships. Three rings in four years. Yes, it's fair to say the New England Patriots are a dynasty.

After watching the Patriots distance themselves from the AFC East pack, the division's other three teams have become obsessed with closing the gap on the reigning Super Bowl champions.

The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets have tweaked their rosters in hopes of issuing a stronger challenge. The Miami Dolphins brought in a new coach with close ties to the Patriots' regime.

Donahoe's hold 'em play looking good

Pro football never sleeps . . .

A few days ago the Arizona Cardinals put offensive tackle L.J. Shelton on the street. Shelton is the mountainous offensive tackle whom Cardinals coach Dennis Green was trying to talk the Buffalo Bills into taking off his hands at the cost of assuming all or part of a huge contract the Cards signed with Shelton in one of their misguided moments.

May 21, 2005

Bills host coaches

The Buffalo Bills will host more than 2,050 Western New York high school and college football coaches today at the fifth annual Buffalo Bills Coaches Clinic in the field house.

ESPN reveals Dobler's secret tragedy

Three years before he became a Buffalo Bill, offensive guard Conrad Dobler had his image forever created by a 1977 Sports Illustrated cover story that proclaimed him "Pro Football's Dirtiest Player."

The three-time Pro Bowler furthered that image by writing a book, "They Call Me Dirty," with former Buffalo News sportswriter Vic Carucci.

May 19, 2005

Former Dolphins Lineman Visit Bills

Free agent offensive lineman Greg Jerman was in for a visit Thursday. Jerman was waived by the Miami Dolphins on May 12. Jerman had been with the Fins since 2002, when he made the roster as a college free agent. He played in 11 games, including one start. His lone start came at right guard in 2003.

Monty Brown thrives on pressure

Take a look at TNA's Monty Brown, formerly a LB with the Buffalo Bills,  and you will see what most people see: a professional wrestler with a chiseled physique.

New field a boost for Bills

The main beneficiaries of a new synthetic playing surface at St. John Fisher College will be the school's many student athletes. But the Buffalo Bills, who return to campus in late July for training camp, will also reap some rewards. In fact, the new multi-purpose turf, which is scheduled for installation starting Monday, will change the way the team conducts camp.

May 18, 2005

2005 College Football Hall of Fame Class Announced

Cornelius Bennett found out about his election into the College Football Hall of Fame about a month ago, and was asked to keep it to himself until it was formally announced.

He couldn't keep the good news totally secret.

"I had to call and tell Momma and I had to tell my wife," the former Alabama linebacker said at a news conference Wednesday. "If I didn't tell them I wouldn't be here today."

Buffalo's search for spicy new wing leads to Losman

Nobody appreciates a good hot wing more than the football connoisseurs of Buffalo, who have suffered through too many bland wings since Hall of Fame Bills quarterback Jim Kelly retired in 1996. There was a spell of Doug Flutie magic in the late 1990s after 1995 second-round draft choice Todd Collins failed to live up to expectations. But that wore off, and the Rob Johnson disaster was followed by a half-season of false hope with Drew Bledsoe in 2002.

Packers-Bills scrimmage tickets on sale Saturday

Tickets for Green Bay Packers’ Family Night, which will include a scrimmage Aug. 5 against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field, will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. The tickets are $8 and can be bought in person, over the telephone or over the Internet. To buy tickets over the telephone, call (920) 494-3401 or (800) 895-0071. On the Internet, fans should go to www.packers.com after 10 a.m. June 4 for the direct link to order tickets. Parking at Lambeau Field will be $5 with proceeds going to the Green Bay Packers Foundation, the team’s charitable grant program.

May 17, 2005

Bills Waive RB Dante Brown

The Bills announced Tuesday that the team has waived RB Dante Brown.

O.J.'s Bills' ring up for auction

A Florida real estate developer will auction off a ring given to O.J. Simpson by the Buffalo Bills 25 years ago.

The ring, which dates to Simpson's 1980 induction to the Bills' "Wall of Fame" at Ralph Wilson Stadium, was apparently found at the Belleview Biltmore Hotel in Clearwater, Fla. The historic hotel, more than a century old, was going to be razed to make way for a private development. The demolition, however, has been put on hold.

Bills coach McNally to speak at YMCA's annual dinner

Jim McNally, offensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills, will be the guest speaker Thursday at the 153rd annual dinner of the YMCA of Greater Buffalo. The event will be held in the Hyatt Regency Buffalo. It begins at 5:45 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by the annual meeting and dinner at 7.

Bills players back drug testing as NFL tightens lid on problem

Buffalo Bills guard Chris Villarrial has no problem with randomly being tested for steroids. "You're playing a sport that's already taking five to six years off your life," Villarrial said. "If you want to die young, go ahead. Take the car and drive off a cliff. But they're just looking out for your well-being by giving us these tests." The issue of steroids in the NFL can be summed up in one word: concern. Villarrial and numerous Bills teammates say they're fearful of the dangers of steroid use, so much so that they're willing to submit to extensive testing.

May 16, 2005

Bills Sign Running Back RaShard Lee

The Bills Monday announced that the team has signed RB RaShard Lee. In accordance with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Henry should think twice

Fellow running backs ReShard Lee and Fred Taylor are two reasons unhappy running back Travis Henry should reconsider his threat to boycott the Buffalo Bills training camp. Buffalo last week signed Lee to back up Willis McGahee. Lee is a promising back who asked for his release from Dallas when the Cowboys signed free agent Anthony Thomas. The Minnesota Vikings also were pursuing Lee. Lee's arrival should convince Henry that the Bills genuinely hope to trade him before next season but aren't going to release him or trade him for a future low-round draft pick. There are growing concerns in Jacksonville regarding Taylor's injured left knee and Henry is significantly better than any other running back on the Jaguars roster. Other teams figure to be in the market for a healthy proven running back before next season starts and Henry would be a logical target. Under the circumstances, the wisest option for Henry would be to report to Buffalo's training camp and play well in exhibition games to impress teams looking for a healthy veteran running back.

Sporting News Team Report - Buffalo Bills

Free agent LG Bennie Anderson has fit in nicely with the offensive line. His size (6-5, 345) and physical playing style will be an asset as the team plans to feature a power running game with heavy-duty RB Willis McGahee. Anderson is comfortable with the offense and what his role is in it. Team has a while before it puts on the pads, but Anderson is already giving an indication that he'll add some much needed muscle to the interior of the offensive line. . .

Josh Reed Stands to Gain Most from Offseason Changes

Due to the lack of activity by the Bills this offseason, it is safe to say that the primary and perhaps sole improvement to the team will come at the QB position. Not only will the Bills be without the most overrated QB to ever play more than ten seasons in the NFL, but they will see the play of the QB position now regain what will be at minimum some basic and fundamental characteristics of play such as a short game, some very fundamental field and player positioning awareness, as well as the ability to effectively read a defense not to mention not possessing the desire to look deep at every opportunity among many other things.

May 15, 2005

Onside kicks

 Fred Taylor's knee injury seems more serious than the Jaguars are saying. He had an arthroscope on his MCL in January and the team has conceded he's out for June, and now new offensive coordinator Carl Smith has raised the possibility he won't play this year. The Jags' backups - LaBrandon Toefield, Greg Jones and Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala - are average at best, and they didn't sign a veteran free agent. Maybe if Taylor doesn't get better the Jags could be interested in Travis Henry. On the other hand, would the Bills want to send Henry to the Jags, who would be one of their prime competitors for a wild-card spot?

How to split the NFL profit$

 After 45 years as a pro football owner, Buffalo's 86-year-old Ralph Wilson has earned the right to be heard. So when Wilson says the NFL's ongoing collective bargaining agreement discussion is more of a club vs. club than league vs. union problem, it requires some attention.

As an owner in one of the NFL's smallest markets, Wilson doesn't like the growing disparity in revenue between the big-money clubs and the rest of the league, nor what he perceives as the richer group's disdain for the less wealthy majority.

Bills report: Inside slant

After playing 12 seasons for the Buffalo Bills, Thurman Thomas did the unthinkable, signing with the rival Miami Dolphins for a season. Call it spite after being cut by the Bills in a salary cap purge after the 1999 season. Call it refusing to answer the door when Father Time came calling.

Bills report: Notes, quotes

--Joe Ferguson, who played 12 seasons for the Bills and set many of the team passing marks later broken by Jim Kelly, is currently undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer at a Houston hospital. Frank Broyles, his coach at the University of Arkansas, reported that Ferguson is in good spirits. "He feels good that the treatment is working," Broyles said. "But tell everyone to include Joe in their thoughts and prayers."

May 14, 2005

Bills, back agree on deal

ReShard Lee, a running back cut by the Dallas Cowboys last week, reached an oral agreement on a contract with the Buffalo Bills, his agent reported.

Lee, who made the Dallas roster in 2003 as an undrafted rookie free agent, will sign a two-year contract, said his agent, Harold Lewis.

May 13, 2005

Buffalo Bills Sign Running Back Lee

Running back ReShard Lee agreed to a two-year deal with the Buffalo Bills on Friday. Lee's agent, Harold Lewis, said his client is traveling to Orchard Park to sign the deal Sunday. He didn't disclose terms of the deal. The team declined comment.

Bills Sign RB ReShard Lee

Former Cowboys running back ReShard Lee agreed to a two-year deal with the Buffalo Bills, according to his agent, Harold Lewis. Lee played in 14 games in 2004 for the Cowboys, averaging 23.5 yards per kickoff return and rushing for 128 yards and one touchdown.

Ex-Bills stars living new lives

They are super-human, right? Athletically blessed, good enough to get paid to play the games we've all played.

But cut them and they bleed.
Joe Ferguson, his real estate and coaching work on hold, has colon cancer, it was announced. Thurman Thomas, battling alcoholism, was voted onto the Wall of Fame. Andre Reed, no longer bitter at the salary cap and Father Time, earned his college degree.

For these three Buffalo Bills greats, this was the week that was.

Festival for fans will celebrate Bills' AFL, AFC championships

The Buffalo Bills have planned a four-day fan festival for next month at Ralph Wilson Stadium, celebrating the 40th anniversary of their 1964 AFL championship team and the 15th anniversary of their 1990 AFC championship club.

Bills to honor 1964-65 AFL title team

It's been 40 years since Jack Kemp, Billy Shaw and Paul Maguire helped deliver a football championship to Buffalo -- and they're not forgotten.

The Bills announced Thursday they'll pay tribute to the 1964-1965 American Football League champion teams by holding a fan celebration at Ralph Wilson Stadium June 2-5. The event was timed to also honor the 15-year anniversary of the Jim Kelly-led Bills' team that in 1990 won the first of an unprecedented four consecutive AFC titles.

May 12, 2005

Bills to Host Celebration of Champions

The Buffalo Bills will recognize their heroes from the past with the Celebration of Champions Weekend presented by Dick's Sporting Goods and Reebok, a four-day event at Ralph Wilson Stadium beginning Thursday, June 2nd and lasting through Sunday, June 5th.

Bills ready to party like it's 1964

The Buffalo Bills will hold a four-day party at Ralph Wilson Stadium next month to honor two of their greatest teams, and they will unveil a new third jersey as part of the celebration. The "Celebration of Champions Weekend" will run June 2-5. It will commemorate the 40-year anniversary of the Bills' 1964-65 AFL championship teams and the 15-year anniversary of the 1990 Super Bowl team.

Bills to pack up show for Green Bay trip

New quarterback J.P. Losman's first test against an opposing team will happen in Wisconsin at historic Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. And he'll get to play against one of the NFL's icons: Brett Favre.

The clubs announced on Wednesday that the Bills will travel from St. John Fisher College, their training camp home, to Green Bay Aug. 4-5 for a series of practices and a scrimmage.

May 11, 2005

Bills will travel to Green Bay for scrimmage

Rochester fans will see less of the Buffalo Bills at training camp this summer at St. John Fisher College.

The club announced today that it will travel to Green Bay Aug. 4-5 for a series of practices and a scrimmage against the Packers.

Packers to scrimmage Buffalo Bills as part of Family Night

The Green Bay Packers will scrimmage the Buffalo Bills at the team's Family Night during training camp this summer.

The scrimmage marks the first time another team will take part in the event after four years in which the Packers played an intrasquad game.

Thurman Thomas' Busy Life

For Thurman Thomas, being named to the Bills Wall of Fame will certainly be an honor, but it will mark the closest he's come to the game he left five years ago.

"Since I retired I've gotten away from football," said Thomas. "When there's a big time (Bills) game or they're playing the Dolphins or the Jets I'll watch it, but I don't watch as much as I used to."

Family Night to include scrimmage with Buffalo Bills

For the first time since the Green Bay Packers started hosting Family Night events, this summer’s event will include a scrimmage with another NFL team.

The Green Bay Packers said Wednesday the team plans to host the Buffalo Bills during training camp, capping off the visit with “Family Night, Presented by FOX 11.”

Bills to Travel to Green Bay for Scrimmage

The Buffalo Bills Wednesday announced that the team will travel to Green Bay during training camp to take part in a scrimmage at Lambeau Field on Friday night, August 5.

May 10, 2005

Former Buffalo Bills player to serve time

A former George Washington High School football standout was sentenced to three years in prison Monday on several drug charges. The Buffalo Bills drafted Robertson out of Hinds (Miss.) Community College. He played one season for the Bills before being kicked off the team for drug use. Robertson is wanted in Buffalo on charges of probation violation in connection with a previous drug possession conviction.

For What it's Worth: Post Draft Thoughts

• There’s no truth to the rumor that in response to Tom Donahoe introducing JP Losman as Buffalo's 2005 first round pick that Bill Parcell’s is flying Losman to Dallas to introduce him as Dallas’ 2004 first round pick.
• Also no truth to the rumor that Jason Peters called 2nd round draft pick Roscoe Parrish and told him not to worry about people saying he might have trouble learning the Bills playbook because he’s already up to chapter two and it’s only been a year.

• Speaking of the “U”, it must be comforting for the players on the football team to know that if football in the NFL doesn’t work out, they can always fall back on that quality college education and pursue another career.
• Who needs Jonas Jennings when you’ve got Mike Gandy and Trey Teague waiting in the wings?
• Tom Donahoe is sticking to his guns and declaring he will not just give Travis Henry away. Of course as of today his demands have lowered some from a 2nd round choice in this year’s draft to a turkey club on rye.
• After drafting Mike Nugent, Doug Brien’s days with the Jets appear to be numbered. He would appear to be a modest upgrade from Rian Lindell. The only real knock on him is a field goal attempt in last year’s playoffs against the Steelers that sailed wide right….oh well, never mind.
• Tom Donahoe said publicly that the team had a lot of confidence in Josh Reed, but the drafting of Roscoe Parrish says something else.
• The Patriots are so loaded they can have a draft filled with reaches and trades of picks into next year and nobody in NE seems to notice.
• Miami had the picks to do it, but they appear to have improved themselves the most in the division in this weekend’s auction.
• By drafting JJ Arrington, a highly underrated talent early in the 2nd round, Denny Green has to be patting himself on the back for not caving in to Tom Donahoe’s demand that the team’s exchange 2nd round picks in the Travis Henry deal.
• But it’s still possible TD could have the last laugh on this one if he gets anything for Henry and Shelton ends up getting released after June 1st.
• Tory Holt did a nice job as a draft analyst for ESPN, despite the fact that he stutters like skates on sticky mud.

Versatile Gates Expected to Add Depth

While the Buffalo Bills were unable to trade disgruntled running back Travis Henry on draft weekend, they were able to bolster their depth at the position late on Day 2. With the team's final selection of the draft it selected Louisville's Lionel Gates.

Wilson doesn't think bigger is better

The current debate among big- and small-market owners in the National Football League can be summed up in one analogy, according to Buffalo Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. "They want to knock us down and have us get up at the count of nine, so they can have another fight and knock us down again," Wilson said.

May 09, 2005

Good news for Abraham and Ellis - Bills have no LT

Last season, the revolving door was at left guard. This year, it could be at left tackle. Unless free agent Mike Gandy rises to the challenge that has presented itself. The Bills are scrambling to shore up the most important hole on their line after the departure of Jonas Jennings to San Francisco, and have started what could be a long evaluation process by giving Gandy first crack at the job.

New Lineman Should Fit in Well

Bills offensive line coach Jim McNally is one of the best in the business. He has built a reputation for himself of making average lineman play at a Pro Bowl level. He has been successful at every level he has coached and last year was no exception.

At 41, Reed makes huge catch: his diploma

Andre Reed, the 16-year NFL receiver who played in four consecutive Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills, earned a college degree Saturday at age 41.

Bills to Honor Thomas with WOF Selection

The Bills today announced that the team will honor RB Thurman Thomas by making him the newest addition to the team’s Wall of Fame during the 2005 season. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Oct. 9 when the Bills host the Miami Dolphins.

May 08, 2005

Bills Honor Thomas

Thurman Thomas will become the 22nd member of the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame. A ceremony is planned to take place at Ralph Wilson Stadium October 9, when the Bills face the Miami Dolphins.

Former NFL player Andre Reed earns bachelor's degree at age 41

Andre Reed, the 16-year NFL receiver who played in four consecutive Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills, earned a college degree Saturday at age 41. Reed played four years of football at Kutztown in the early 1980s, but was 10 credits shy of a bachelor's degree when the Bills drafted him.

Thurman won this 4-yard battle

Thurman Thomas played in 194 games for the Buffalo Bills. His 12 seasons are almost triple the career expectancy of the average pro running back. Nevertheless, in the opinion of Ralph Wilson, the team's owner, his signature moment as a Bill is unlikely to have remained in the memory bank of most of his fans.

Ralph did more than sign the checks to build the Bills

When we talk about the reasons Ralph C. Wilson Jr. belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we tend to focus on his role as "the conscience of the NFL" and the "defender of the tradition of the NFL."

It's worthwhile to remember, however, that the owner of the Buffalo Bills has not just been a check-writing "man behind the curtain" in building his team.

Thomas to take his place on Wall

Thurman Thomas has a good grasp of what an icon he is to Buffalo Bills fans.

"I usually get about 20 letters a week sent to my house," the legendary Bills' running back said from his home in Orlando, Fla. "I don't know how they get to my house. But I'm not kidding. I get fan mail all the time. I go onto the (Bills) Web site and see people talking about me. . . . I've had so much support ever since I retired from the Buffalo Bills."

Bills report: Notes, quotes

The Bills' worst fears were realized regarding rookie TE Kevin Everett, the club's good-looking third-round pick from Miami. Everett tore his left ACL in last Friday's mini-camp and could miss the season. He was scheduled for surgery by mid-week. With nine months to go before the end of the NFL season, club officials haven't ruled out the possibility of Everett playing in 2005, but it's a stretch. ACL repairs can take up to a year to heal fully. As is their policy, the Bills won't put a timetable on Everett.

Bills report: Inside slant

--J.P. Losman was like a law school graduate cramming for the bar exam. For three months, the Bills' new starting quarterback did practically nothing else but work out and study film and talk shop with quarterback coach Sam Wyche and offensive coordinator Tom Clements. Finally, Losman got the chance to come outside and see some daylight.

Thurman joins Jim and Marv

If there was one man in the Buffalo Bills locker room you could count on to stand up and speak his mind, it was the man who will become the newest inductee onto the team's Wall of Fame this fall, Thurman Thomas.

The feisty running back was never at a loss for words, particularly when it was time to light a fire under a teammate, joust with the media, or trade barbs with quarterback Jim Kelly as he did in 1989 during the tumultuous year of the Bickering Bills.

May 06, 2005

Former Bills star QB Ferguson treated for cancer

Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Joe Ferguson is being treated for cancer at a Houston hospital.

Stephanie Dedeaux, spokeswoman for MD Anderson Cancer Center, said Friday that Ferguson was receiving treatment but declined further comment at Ferguson's request.

Ferguson treated for cancer

Ferguson, 55, was diagnosed with cancer last month. He is undergoing chemotherapy treatment on what is believed to be a form of lymphoma at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. "Everybody - all of our old teammates - were worried and concerned and saying prayers for him," said former Bills guard Joe DeLamielleure from his home in North Carolina.

May 05, 2005

Bills' Losman light years ahead in Year Two

Eric Moulds chuckles as he recounts the difficulties J.P. Losman experienced calling plays at a Bills minicamp last spring.

"He was just a rookie, and the coaches were throwing so many things at him, his head was spinning," says Moulds, the Bills' veteran receiver. "A couple of times, he blurted out some plays that must have been from his high school, college and Pop Warner playbooks."

CB King More Than an Overachiever

The last time the Bills selected a cornerback on Day 2 of the NFL Draft that had been a four-year starter at the college level he turned out to be pretty good. In fact, this player started 13 games at cornerback and wound up making the Pro Bowl as a return specialist in his second season in Buffalo.

Ferguson Has Cancer

Former Bills quarterback Joe Ferguson is facing the biggest battle of his 55 years. Ferguson is in the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston fighting intestinal cancer. Ferguson is undergoing chemotherapy.

May 04, 2005

Reed ready for another big reception

Nearly five years removed from his last professional snap, Andre Reed clearly has his priorities in proper order. The blue uniform of the Buffalo Bills has been traded for a blue-collar philosophy to life, one originally instilled in him by his parents Joyce and the late Calvin Reed. That's why he's thrilled to be coming back to Kutztown University this weekend to receive a diploma. The graduation ceremonies come almost 20 years to the day that Reed was drafted by the Bills in the fourth round of the 1985 NFL draft.

Buffalo Bills Team Report

Team Defense
Despite losing Dick LeBeau to the Steelers, the Bills finished 2004 as the top ranked fantasy defense. The main reason for their rise to the top was their playmaking ability. After finishing near the bottom of the league in takeaways for several years, they racked up 24 INTs and 15 fumble recoveries in 2004, which was more than any other team in the league. The zone blitz schemes favored by coordinator Jerry Gray also resulted in 46 sacks, which ranked third in the league behind the Falcons and Eagles.

Draft picks leave Reed twisting in wind

If Josh Reed didn't know any better, he would think the Buffalo Bills were trying to tell him something. This is the second straight year the Bills used their first draft pick on a wide receiver. Like Lee Evans before him, Roscoe Parrish is expected to have a significant impact on offense.

May 03, 2005

Losman Gets His Shot With Bills

For the Buffalo Bills, the easiest thing would have been to just stand pat this offseason, keep their team intact as much as possible and hope that the revival that nearly carried them into the playoffs last season would continue into next season.

Buffalo Bills receiver Josh Reed looking to showcase his skills

First, Josh Reed put too much pressure on himself and started dropping passes. Then he got hurt.

Now, the Buffalo receiver enters his fourth season with the Bills trying to regain the promise he showed as a rookie. "The coaches have confidence in me; my teammates do, too," Reed said during the Bills' three-day minicamp last weekend. "The biggest thing is to have it in myself."

Bills' Everett will have knee surgery

The Buffalo Bills' thinnest position got a little thinner on Monday. The Bills confirmed that rookie tight end Kevin Everett suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and will undergo surgery. The team said no timetable is set for his return, but it's likely the earliest he would be back is late September or October.

May 02, 2005

Everett to Have Surgery to Repair Torn ACL

Rookie tight end Kevin Everett has torn the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee and will undergo surgery. The Bills have not set a timetable for his return. Already thin at the tight end position with starter Mark Campbell and backup Tim Euhus still recovering from reconstructive knee surgeries, the Bills had hoped that Everett's injury wasn't serious.

Bills' third-round draft pick out for the year

Pardon the Buffalo Bills if they feel a bit snake-bitten at tight end. With veteran tight ends Mark Campbell and Tim Euhus still rehabilitating from offseason knee surgeries, the youngster selected in the 2005 draft to provide some insurance at the position, third-round choice Kevin Everett, likely will miss his entire rookie season with a knee injury sustained over the weekend.

Anderson's wait may end

Anderson saw even less playing time as a Buffalo Bills rookie last year, spending 12 of the 16 games on the inactive list. But the Bills think Anderson is ready to blossom from bench-warmer to playmaker in his second season.

Parrish, King shine among rookies

The Buffalo Bills closed their spring minicamp by putting the rookies through 10 50-yard wind sprints. But that might have been the toughest thing the first-year players endured this weekend. Bills coach Mike Mularkey was very productive because the rookies were able to handle the large volume of plays and schemes thrown at them.

Parrish goes zoom, zoom in Buffalo's mini-camp

Wide receiver Roscoe Parrish sprinted down the sideline and with a perfectly timed jump to beat the cornerback, latched onto a long pass from quarterback J.P. Losman. Later, Parrish ran a curl route, catching the ball and spinning up field so fast, the helpless defender nearly corkscrewed himself into the turf trying to keep up.

May 01, 2005

Notes: Bills Complete “Productive” Minicamp

Buffalo's three-day minicamp came to a close on Sunday with a morning session in Ralph Wilson Stadium. Overall, Coach Mike Mularkey called the workouts "productive." "We got a lot done," said Mularkey. "We have done some things this weekend that I have not done playing and coaching (to start the season)."

Mini Camp Ends With Some Good Performances

The Bills wrapped up mini camp this morning with J.P. Losman testing himself against a gusty Wilson Stadium wind. Losman said he threw the ball harder and came through well. Losman started camp rusty on Friday, but got better as the week- end went on. He had some nice looking hook ups with Lee Evans and second round pick Roscoe Parrish out of Miami.

Rookie receiver makes big impression

Don't let Roscoe Parrish's small size fool you. Generously listed at 5-foot-9, the rookie is the smallest receiver on the Buffalo Bills' roster. More important, he might also be the team's fastest. "Oh, he can run," veteran defensive back Troy Vincent said Sunday. "He's obviously not 6-4, but he can play."

Bills' second-round pick getting rave reviews

I have seen the future and it's electric. It's a short throw turned into a long, frenetic touchdown jaunt that leaves mouths agape. It's a punt return low on potential that concludes with an improbable end zone celebration. There's fast and there's quick and then there's Roscoe Parrish, who's so far ahead of the game he could make hay before the harvest.

No diagnosis yet on Everett injury

Buffalo Bills rookie tight end Kevin Everett was on crutches as he watched the second day of minicamp. Everett injured his left knee during the team portion of Friday's practice. Bills coach Mike Mularkey is still not certain how badly Everett was hurt. "He's got some swelling in it," Mularkey said after the Saturday afternoon session. "We're going to wait for that to go down, which I'm hoping is by the early part of the week, and re-evaluate it and see what the extent of the injury is."

Bills tackling line vacancy

It's been said many times in football, but it's worth repeating: It all starts with the offensive line. No position up front is more important than left tackle, the protector of the quarterback's blind side.

Fanball scouting report- JP Losman

An NFC pro player scout has agreed to provide Fanball readers with analysis of significant fantasy players. Each week, the scout will describe the players' strong points, weaknesses, current value, and long-term prognosis. You can help choose which player will be dissected by using the email address at the bottom of this article. This week, our scout examines new Bills starting quarterback, J.P. Losman.

Bills report: Notes, quotes

--Scouts love it when one of "their" guys gets drafted and that was certainly the case for Bills scout Joe Haering. "This one's personal," he said after Buffalo took Vanderbilt guard/center Justin Geisinger in the sixth round. Geisinger's high school coach at Mt. Lebanon High in Pittsburgh was Chris Haering, Joe's nephew. "He's what we're looking for in the kind of people they want to build the offensive line around," Joe Haering said. "He's tough and very smart. He's a typical Pittsburgh kid, in a good way."

Bills report: Inside slant

There were other needs: A left tackle to replace departed free agent Jonas Jennings (49ers), a defensive tackle to replace Pat Williams (Vikings). Instead, the Bills selected Miami tight end Kevin Everett in the third round of the NFL draft, using the 86th pick right after using the 55th pick on Hurricanes wide receiver Roscoe Parrish.

A leader emerges: Confident Losman earning Bills' respect

They began getting to know one another early last season, while rehabbing their broken bones at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The more veteran Bills safety Lawyer Milloy conversed with rookie quarterback J.P. Losman, the more he felt like he was experiencing déjá vu.

Arlington grad Buffalo-bound

Liam Ezekiel waited. And waited. And waited. With the grill fired up and friends on tap, Ezekiel sat in front of the television at his mother's home in Arlington last weekend and watched names fly onto the screen during the NFL draft. None belonged to him.