Roster Changes
Added to the roster were QB Greg Zolman, and four other free agents added by the Bills on Jan. 29, all of who are expected to be assigned to play in NFL Europe. Zolman has no NFL experience, and was on Tampa Bay's practice squad last season. The Bills also signed: DB Kahlil Carter who was Arena Football League's defensive player of the year last season; Offensive lineman Jasen Esposito, who was released by the Patriots last summer; former Syracuse K/P Mike Shafer, and LB Asa Francis, who spent the last three seasons in the Arena Football League.
The Bills also signed free-agent FB Daimon Shelton on Jan. 28. Shelton, a six-year NFL veteran, did not play last season after Chicago released him. Prior to joining the Bears in 2001 he played four seasons with the Jaguars, where he appeared in 59 games and had 26 starts.
Also added to the roster on the 28th was OT Lawrence Smith. Smith joins the Bills after spending the 2003 season on the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad. He also played for the World League's Amsterdam Admmirals in 2003. Smith joined the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee State in 2002 when he spent 13 games on the team's practice squad and was activated for the final 3 games of the season but did not play a down.
Coaching Changes
The Bills retained defensive line coach Tim Krumrie, added three assistants and promoted former strength and conditioning coordinator Rusty Jones. Jones is now the team's director of physical development. New head coach. Mike Mularky named assistant offensive line/tight ends coach Frank Verducci, tight end/offensive quality control coach Mike Miller, and strength and conditioning coach Brad Roll. Roll was the Miami Dolphins' assistant strength and conditioning coach the last eight seasons.
The Bills named Tyke Tolbert as receivers coach on Jan. 26. Tolbert replaces Fred Graves who left the team to serve as the receiver's coach in Cleveland. Tolbert comes to the Bills after coaching the Arizona Cardinals' receivers in 2002. Prior to that Tolbert worked nine seasons at the college level, including one season at head coach Mike Mularky's alma matter, the Univerisity of Florida as a Tight End coach. Of note Mularky played TE at Florida. This should start up the rumors that the Bills may want to draft Florida TE Ben Troupe in April's NFL Draft since many feel the Bills need help at the position and the obvious connections.
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