Bills training camp begins soon
The Buffalo Bills will begin their annual summer training camp on Thursday, July 10. Camp will be held at the State University of New York College at Fredonia. Fredonia is located south of Buffalo off Interstate 90. It will be a great opportunity for fans to check out the skills and abilities of Buffalo's draft picks and other new players, such as Billy Jo Hobert.
2 retired players to be inducted into Greater Buffalo Hall of Fame
Jim Kelly and Kent Hull have been chosen to be inducted into the Greater Buffalo Hall of Fame. Their induction will take place in a ceremony on September 10.
Bills sign new defensive tackle
June 20, 1997
On Friday, June 20, the Buffalo Bills defensive tacke Mark Dunn to a one year contract. Dunn was an unrestricted free agent. Stay tuned for more details!!
June 2, 1997
The Buffalo Bills Monday released linebacker Mark Maddox, who started 14 of 16 games last year. Maddox, a ninth-round draft pick from Northern Michigan in 1991, had 56 tackles and assisted on 54 others last year in his best season as a pro. The 29-year-old Maddox started 41 of the 59 games he played in and also appeared in seven playoff games with the Bills in 1992 and 1993. He appeared in only four games in 1995 due to injury and did not play in that postseason.
Copeland signed with Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with unrestricted free agent Russell Copeland. Copeland comes to Philadelphia after four years and 58 games in Buffalo. He enjoyed his best season in 1995 with 42 receptions for 646 yards and one touchdown, but only had seven catches in 1996 for 85 yards.
April 29, 1997
Eric Moulds, Buffalo's number 1 draft pick in 1996, pleaded guilty to harassment charges. He had harassed two people - a former girlfriend and a college student whom he met in a bar. Muolds may be sentenced for up to 30 days in jail. The 23 year old rookie was convicted on two counts of second degree assault. In the incident with the college student, Moulds allegedly made a harassing telephone call to a Buffalo State college student, as well as confront her twice in a local bar. He will be sentenced June 16.
March 18, 1997
Bill's linebacker, Covington, was charged with criminal mischief.
The Buffalo Bills will be playing the Green Bay Packers in the American Bowl in Toronto, Canada on August 16. This is the second bowl game to be played in the SkyDome, and the second bowl game in which the Bills have played. The game will start at 4:00 PM EST, and will be covered on NBC. The Bills will probably be led at quarterback by Todd Collins, the 3 year pro who played back up to Jim Kelly for the last two seasons. The American Bowl series began in 1986, and each game has an audience of approximately 56,000. Other cities who have sponsored the American Bowl are: Barcelona, Berlin, London, Mexico City, Monterrey, Montreal, and Tokyo.
3/4/97 Chris Mohr was re-signed as a team punter for the Bills. The 30 year old player has been with the Bills since 1991. Before playing for Buffalo, Mohr played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Players signed from the Canadian Football League
2/21/97 The Bills signed a kickoff and punt returner and a kicker from the Canadian Football League. Jimmy Cunningham was the top kickoff and punt returner in the CFL. The 24 year old played two seasons with the Toronto Argonauts before coming to Buffalo. Carlos Huerta was signed as a kicker. He had originally been signed by the St. Louis Rams at the end of last season.
Quarterback Hobert signed with the team
2/18/97 Billy Joe Hobert, a former quarterback with the Oakland Raiders, was signed as a quarterback. The Bills traded a third round draft pick for the acquisition of Hobert. He will be competing for Jim Kelly's vacated spot. Also competing for the position will be Todd Collins and Alex Van Pelt, back up quarterbacks for Kelly.
New offensive coordinator named for the team
Dan Henning was named offensive coordinator for the Bills. He was quoted as saying he will be calling the offensive plays of the game. Henning has a wealth of coaching experience. His last position was as head coach at Boston College. Henning was also head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 1983 to 1986, and of the San Diego Chargers from 1989 to 1991. He also served as an assistant coach for the Jets and the Redskins, and was offensive coordinator for the Lions in 1992 and 1993.
Quarterbacks coach takes new position
Jim Shofner will be moving from his position as quarterbacks coach to a position in the scouting department. Shofner was quarterbacks coach in Superbowl XXVII and XXVIII, and has worked with many quarterback legends. The team personnel is said to be very pleased that Shofner will be staying with the team.