Milloy agrees to sign with Bills
NFL.com wire reports
Carucci: With Milloy, Bills might be best in AFC
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (Sept. 3, 2003) -- Lawyer Milloy agreed to sign with the Buffalo Bills a day after being cut by the New England Patriots
The move adds more drama to an already intriguing season-opener -- the Bills will play host to the Patriots on Sept. 7. Besides Milloy, Buffalo quarterback Drew Bledsoe was a star in New England.
Milloy significantly upgrades a young Buffalo defensive backfield and could provide insight into the Patriots' plans as the Bills prepare for New England.
Milloy was expected to join the team for his first practice on Sept. 4.
Coach Gregg Williams said he would have to first speak with Milloy before determining whether he would be ready to play Sept. 7.
Milloy was released by the Patriots for salary-cap reasons Sept. 2. The move created a stir, in part because Milloy was a team leader and had started 106 consecutive games in his seven NFL seasons.
The Bills, projected to have $4 million of room under the cap, were one of a handful of teams that had made offers to sign the player.
Milloy led the Patriots in tackles in 2001, when New England won the Super Bowl, and recorded 100 or more tackles five times. Last season he had no sacks, no forced fumbles and no interceptions. His 91 tackles were the fewest he had tallied since becoming a full-time starter.
He's the latest addition to a revamped Bills defense that was bolstered last spring by the additions of linebackers Takeo Spikes and Jeff Posey and tackle Sam Adams. Together, they improve a unit that gave up 25 points a game, and managed a league-low 19 turnovers and 31 sacks.
Buffalo's current starters at safety are Coy Wire, who's coming off an encouraging rookie season, and Pierson Prioleau, a four-year veteran who was a first-time starter last season. Neither recorded an interception last season.
Bills president Tom Donahoe denied speculation Milloy might have lost a step.
"We think he's still a good football player. Obviously the Patriots do, too, they tried to keep them," Donahoe said.
Bledsoe had high praise for Milloy, having spent six seasons with the player in New England.
"I will tell you this: That everybody that plays against Lawyer is aware of where he is and aware of his ability to make big plays," Bledsoe said. "As far as his speed, his aggressiveness, his physical style, I haven't seen a falloff at all."
Besides improving the Bills defense, Milloy would be valuable for Bledsoe to provide insight into the Patriots' defensive plans.
"I would certainly love to sit down and pick his brain," Bledsoe said.
Wire welcomed the chance of the Bills landing Milloy, even if it meant Wire losing his starting job.
"Any time you can have a guy like that come in and help your defense, you're excited about it," Wire said. "This is a team game."
Earlier in the day, New England fullback Larry Centers didn't want to consider the prospect Milloy joining the Bills, their next opponent.
"That would be a nightmare," Centers said during a conference call with members of the Buffalo media.
The story
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2003, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
NFL.com wire reports
Carucci: With Milloy, Bills might be best in AFC
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (Sept. 3, 2003) -- Lawyer Milloy agreed to sign with the Buffalo Bills a day after being cut by the New England Patriots
The move adds more drama to an already intriguing season-opener -- the Bills will play host to the Patriots on Sept. 7. Besides Milloy, Buffalo quarterback Drew Bledsoe was a star in New England.
Milloy significantly upgrades a young Buffalo defensive backfield and could provide insight into the Patriots' plans as the Bills prepare for New England.
Milloy was expected to join the team for his first practice on Sept. 4.
Coach Gregg Williams said he would have to first speak with Milloy before determining whether he would be ready to play Sept. 7.
Milloy was released by the Patriots for salary-cap reasons Sept. 2. The move created a stir, in part because Milloy was a team leader and had started 106 consecutive games in his seven NFL seasons.
The Bills, projected to have $4 million of room under the cap, were one of a handful of teams that had made offers to sign the player.
Milloy led the Patriots in tackles in 2001, when New England won the Super Bowl, and recorded 100 or more tackles five times. Last season he had no sacks, no forced fumbles and no interceptions. His 91 tackles were the fewest he had tallied since becoming a full-time starter.
He's the latest addition to a revamped Bills defense that was bolstered last spring by the additions of linebackers Takeo Spikes and Jeff Posey and tackle Sam Adams. Together, they improve a unit that gave up 25 points a game, and managed a league-low 19 turnovers and 31 sacks.
Buffalo's current starters at safety are Coy Wire, who's coming off an encouraging rookie season, and Pierson Prioleau, a four-year veteran who was a first-time starter last season. Neither recorded an interception last season.
Bills president Tom Donahoe denied speculation Milloy might have lost a step.
"We think he's still a good football player. Obviously the Patriots do, too, they tried to keep them," Donahoe said.
Bledsoe had high praise for Milloy, having spent six seasons with the player in New England.
"I will tell you this: That everybody that plays against Lawyer is aware of where he is and aware of his ability to make big plays," Bledsoe said. "As far as his speed, his aggressiveness, his physical style, I haven't seen a falloff at all."
Besides improving the Bills defense, Milloy would be valuable for Bledsoe to provide insight into the Patriots' defensive plans.
"I would certainly love to sit down and pick his brain," Bledsoe said.
Wire welcomed the chance of the Bills landing Milloy, even if it meant Wire losing his starting job.
"Any time you can have a guy like that come in and help your defense, you're excited about it," Wire said. "This is a team game."
Earlier in the day, New England fullback Larry Centers didn't want to consider the prospect Milloy joining the Bills, their next opponent.
"That would be a nightmare," Centers said during a conference call with members of the Buffalo media.
The story
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2003, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
