Inside The Bills

Reed again a HOF finalist

Once again Andre Reed is among the finalists selected for possible induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Reed is a finalist for the fourth straight time, but again is facing difficult competition with the likes of Marshall Faulk and Deion Sanders also among the finalists.

Also expected to make induction for Reed difficult is the fact that two other receivers in Cris Carter and Tim Brown are also on the list of finalists for the 2011 class.

Reed among HOF semi-finalists

It’s no surprise, but Bills all-time leading receiver Andre Reed made the cut to the list of semi-finalists for the 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

Reed was the only former Bills player to make the cut, joining fellow receivers Cris Carter and Tim Brown.

What will make this class particularly tough to crack are the five first-year eligible players that will all get strong consideration not only for the list of finalists, but induction in Jerome Bettis, Marshall Faulk, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, and Deion Sanders, who are among the semifinalists.

HOF support for Bills

The early support for former Bills on the list of preliminary nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame has been pretty good. Here’s your way to provide more backing for potential Hall of Famers like Andre Reed, Cornelius Bennett, Kent Hull, Darryl Talley and Steve Tasker.

Just go to the Fan’s Choice site where you can vote for who you believe belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2011. You can vote for up to five nominees, so all of the guys above can get your vote. And there’s something in it for you as there are prizes and a chance to win a sweepstakes contest as well just by voting.

So far Bills fans have done well to support the former Bills. Here’s the breakdown of the current leaderboard for fan voting for all Pro Football HOF nominees.

1. Darryl Talley
2. Steve Tasker
3. Andre Reed
4. Cornelius Bennett
5. Kent Hull

So keep up the good work and keep supporting your former Bills and you’ll have a chance to win some pretty cool prizes.

Several Bills on prelim HOF list

A number of former Bills players are on the preliminary Pro Football Hall of Fame nominee list for the class of 2011.

Here is the rundown of former players among the 113 that were nominated.

Cornelius Bennett
Kent Hull
Andre Reed
Darryl Talley
Steve Tasker

Former head coach Chuck Knox is also on the list.

The Hall of Fame selectors will choose 25 candidates who will advance as semifinalist nominees. The list of 25 modern-era semifinalists will be announced in mid-November. Reed was the only nominee from this list to make the finalist list in 2010.

Reed will again have uphill battle

While it’s great news that Andre Reed is a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist for the fourth straight time, getting in this time around may prove to be the most difficult task yet.

The pool of candidates this year is even deeper than years past.

Also on the list at the receiver position alone is Jerry Rice, Tim Brown and Cris Carter, all of whom have superior statistics to Reed. Carter was a finalist with Reed last year and did not get in either.

Add in the fact that the second all-time leading receiver at the tight end position is also a finalist in Shannon Sharpe along with all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith, who is a lock, and the deck is stacked against Reed maybe more than it ever has been in the past.  Unfortunately it is both a statistics and numbers game at the receiver position.

Voters factor the numbers in heavily and there is a contingent that believes there are already too many receivers in the Hall of Fame. Rice is a lock, but with a maximum of five modern era inductees (7 including the senior nominees) and a minimum of four inductees total, I’ll be surprised if there are two receivers this year, and there’s no way that there are three.  

I fear that Andre is going to be waiting another year… again.

One last Mr. Wilson image from HOF weekend

Here’s one last photo of Mr. Wilson from Hall of Fame weekend. He’s posing next to a painting done by Marshawn Lynch’s cousin Sam Cain. Sam’s artwork production is called Cainhicks Custom by SamCee.

Hot night in Canton

The first heat wave of the summer has hit eastern Ohio. Temps are still in the mid-80′s here at Fawcett Stadium in Canton. The players have got to be happy this one doesn’t kick off until 8pm.

Players have already begun warming up.

Top 10 Hall of Fame speech excerpts

There may be some argument with my choices, but here is my top 10 list of speech excerpts from the Buffalo presenters and inductees at the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony Saturday night.

10. Rich Eisen – “When did Buffalo move to Canton?”

9. Chris Berman – “Bruce, Mr. Wilson, I think we have a Buffalo home game.. It’s as if everyone in Buffalo is being inducted.”

8. Bruce Smith – On his first attempt at football in high school – “The first day was a nightmare. The second day I quit. Coach called my house that day and spoke with my father. After the conversation ended my father asked me, ‘Why weren’t you at practice? Are you sick? Is something wrong?’ I said, ‘No sir. Football is just too hard. It’s too hot and it’s too painful.’ My father gave me a look I will never forget. In his baritone voice he said, ‘Son, whatever you do in life don’t ever quit.’”

7. Ted Cottrell – On Bruce Smith – “He wasn’t a football player. He was a football performer. The field was his stage and he was the star.”

6. Bruce Smith – “In the annals of NFL history the sum total of my career will be defined by the 15 years I spent playing for the Buffalo Bills. And what a ride it was. Four consecutive AFC Championships, the potency of the no huddle offense, the greatest comeback in NFL history and the record breaking attendance set by the greatest fans in the NFL.”

5. Bruce Smith – “I can remember arriving for my first minicamp with Andre Reed in 1985. And the first practice in the middle of May we noticed dark clouds off in the distance. Within minutes it began to rain, hail and snow. After 30 minutes of downpour the sun began to shine and I thought, ‘What the hell have I gotten myself into?’”

4. Ralph Wilson – “It has been a grand ride for me and tonight is the high point. Thank you to so many players, coaches, my family, the Bills family, passionate Bills fans, the Hall of Fame voters and the Hall of Fame staff… closing in on 91 I still feel that I have youth on my side. And I want to thank all of you very much for this honor.”

3. Bruce Smith – “Thurman Thomas, known to his teammates as Squatty. You are no doubt the most complete running back of our era. My life would be a little less bright if I didn’t have you to laugh and joke with. P.S. I hid your helmet.”

2. Ralph Wilson – when the Bills were down 21-7 at halftime in their preseason finale in 1960. – “Friends of mine in the stands said, ‘Why don’t you go down and talk to the team. You can’t do any worse.’ And I said, ‘What am I going to tell them?’ and they said, ‘Well tell them something.’ At their urging I went down and walked into our locker room and there was our head coach Buster Ramsey with that expression on his face that said, ‘What are you doing in here?’ I said I want to talk to the team. And I gave that team one of the most inspiring fight talks. It was reminiscent of one of those speeches by Knute Rockne or Vince Lombardi. And we lost the game 51-7. Shortly thereafter Buster said to me, ‘Hey Ralph, next time talk to the other team.’

1. Chris Berman – “50 years later the Bills still belong to Buffalo because your owner gave you his word.”

My pics from Hall of Fame night

It was one heck of an evening in Canton for the Bills family. Here are just a few of the photos from the evening’s festivities including Mr. Wilson’s private party. I’ve got to say he pulled out all the stops. Wait until you see the photo of his cake at the bottom unbelievable!

Pardon the lack of top quality images as I took these with the camera on my blackberry. First I snapped a quick pic of Bruce with Thurman and Jim Kelly next to his bust shortly after Bruce’s speech.

Then it was off to Mr. Wilson’s private party to first cover the event and then get some food myself (we barely had dinner). With a live band from Buffalo going all night, the 50th anniversary season was celebrated in ice, Mr. Wilson’s bust was on display and guarded by a HOF representative. Mr. Wilson’s party tent was about 100 yards long. And of course his cake courtesy of Dessert Deli back home in Buffalo was ridiculous.

Lots of former players here for Bruce and Mr. Wilson

Here’s the list of former Bills players I’ve spotted so far here attending ceremonies at the Pro Football HOF.

Steve Tasker
Chris Mohr
Darryl Talley
Andre Reed
Pete Metzelaars
Marlo Perry
Cornelius Bennett
Kent Hull
Will Wolford
Phil Hansen
Steve Christie
Adam Lingner
Paul Maguire
And obviously Hall of Famers Thurman Thomas, Jim Kelly, Billy Shaw, James Lofton and Joe DeLamielleure.

Mr. Wilson thanks Buffalo

Mr. Wilson just finished his HOF speech and gave Buffalo a big thank you.

“I picked Buffalo,” said Wilson of his destination for his AFL franchise. “And it was a lucky pick because they have supported us beyond our fondest dreams. And without them I would not be on this stage tonight.”

Truer words could not have been spoken.

Canton Mayor pays tribute to Bills fan

Canton Mayor William Healey has recognized the throng of Bills fans in attendance at Fawcett Stadium.

He officially declared today Buffalo Bills day in Canton. Cool stuff.

Mr. Wilson and Bruce Smith HOF speeches to air live on Buffalobills.com

For those of you that will not be near a television or sitting in Canton Saturday night you can watch the Hall of Fame induction speeches of Ralph Wilson and Bruce Smith live on Buffalobills.com.

Just be sure to click on the media lounge tab near the top of the home page. We’ll have full coverage of all of this weekend’s events on Buffalobills.com from the enshrinement ceremonies to the post game press conferences.

Hall of Fame speech order for Saturday evening

For those fans heading down to Canton this weekend, you’re going to want to be seated early for the induction ceremonies.

The reason why is Mr. Wilson is going to be presented as the first enshrinee. Here’s the list of the order of the speeches for Saturday.

Ralph Wilson, Jr. (presented by Chris Berman)
Randall McDaniel (presented by O.K. Fulton)
Bob Hayes (Roger Staubach will speak on behalf of the family. Bob’s son Bob Hayes, Jr. will represent his late father during the weekend’s festivities)
Rod Woodson (presented by Tracy Foster)
Derrick Thomas (Carl Peterson will speak on behalf of the famiy. Derrick’s son Derrion Hayes will represent his late father during the weekend’s festivities)
Bruce Smith (presented by Ted Cottrell)

Nice that the Hall of Fame book ended the Bills representatives. Kind of fitting for a weekend that belongs to Buffalo and the AFL.

Marv welcomes Wilson to Hall of Fame

Bills Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy penned an open letter to his former boss Ralph Wilson welcoming him as a new inductee to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The letter appears on NFL.com. Titled ‘Congratulations to the Pride of Buffalo,’ Levy calls Mr. Wilson’s induction an honor not only for the Bills owner, but the entire city of Buffalo.

Bills HOF QB Jim Kelly did that same thing for Bruce Smith, welcoming him to the Hall as well with a letter appearing on NFL.com.

That August weekend is certainly going to be a big one for the Queen City.

Chat with Ralph Wilson

The Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies for Mr. Wilson and Bruce Smith are just a few weeks away. But you can send a question to Mr. Wilson as he’ll be appearing on an NFL chat today at 2pm on nfl.com.

Here’s the page where you can submit your question. Not sure how long Mr. Wilson will be online answering questions. We’ll try to get a recap together later today.

Mr. Wilson on Terrell Owens

Bills owner and 2009 HOF enshrinee Ralph Wilson was a guest on Sirius NFL Radio Friday morning with Randy Cross and Bob Papa, and naturally they asked him what he thinks of his biggest offseason acquisition Terrell Owens. Here’s what Mr. Wilson had to say.

First he admitted he hasn’t spent much time with Owens since he signed.

“No I haven’t,” said Wilson. “I don’t know him that well. He’s been a model citizen and is well liked by all the players and has attended most of hte offseason practices. I think he’s going to give us what we need, which is a big, tall wide receiver who loves to play the game. We’re just lucky to get him. I couldn’t believe it (that we got him) when he was free to sign with anybody.”

HOFers that have RSVP’d for induction day

More than 70 Hall of Famers have RSVP’d and will be attending enshrinement ceremonies on Aug. 8 at the Pro Football HOF in Canton. And there are several former Bills on that list as expected.

Among the Bills HOF’ers who have already RSVP’d are Joe D., Jim Kelly, Marv Levy, James Lofton and Billy Shaw. I think it’s safe to assume that Thurman Thomas will be attending knowing he’s one of Bruce Smith’s closest friends. He just probably hasn’t sent the RSVP back yet.

Here’s the whole list of the HOF’ers that have RSVP’d that you can expect to see if you’re attending HOF weekend.

Another HOF weekend event in Canton

In addition to the HOF game and the enshrinement ceremonies for Bruce Smith and Mr. Wilson as well as the other four inductees, will be the unveiling of a new exhibit at the Pro Football HOF.

The museum will hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally open the new Lamar Hunt Super Bowl Gallery.

The gallery is named in honor of the late owner of the Kansas City Chiefs and good friend of Mr. Wilson, Lamar Hunt. Hunt was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972, and like Wilson was a guiding figure behind the formation of both the American Football League.

Hunt is also credited with naming the Super Bowl. So naturally the Lamar Hunt Super Bowl Gallery will be dedicated to a single subject, the Super Bowl.

So for those of you making your way down to Canton for the big weekend next month will have one more attraction to check out.

Hall of Fame making VIP enshrinement seating available to fans

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced that it is making available to the public a number of VIP, floor, and sideline seat tickets for the 2009 Enshrinement Ceremony as well as additional sideline and end zone seats for the NFL Hall of Fame Game.

The newly released seats will go on sale to the public beginning on Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET.  Tickets may be purchased online by visiting the Hall’s website at Profootballhof.com or by calling (800)-913-9788.

Both the Enshrinement Ceremony and NFL Hall of Fame Game take place on the Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium which is located across the street from the Hall of Fame.
 
The cost for Enshrinement tickets is $28 for sideline seats and $60 for floor seats and $150 for special VIP seats.  The floor and VIP seats are for 2009 only. The Enshrinement Ceremony for the Class of 2009, which includes Bruce Smith and Ralph Wilson is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. ET. 

Ticket prices for the NFL Hall of Fame Game which features the Bills and Titans are $45 for end zone seats and $55 and $60 for sideline seats.  The NFL Hall of Fame Game is scheduled for Aug. 9 at 8 p.m.