An update - he doesn't seem to have done anything wrong, unless not catching anything counts.
Bills send receiver Shaw packing
Leo Roth
Staff writer
(October 14, 2004) — ORCHARD PARK — Heads are starting to roll at One Bills Drive in response to the club's 0-4 record.
On Wednesday, veteran wide receiver Bobby Shaw, whose role in the offense was diminishing with the emergence of first-round pick Lee Evans, was cut after efforts to trade him fell through.
Shaw, 29, a seven-year NFL pro, joined the Bills last season as an unrestricted free agent from the Pittsburgh Steelers. He posted career highs with 56 catches for 732 yards and a team-leading four touchdowns. Thirty-seven of his receptions produced first downs and he was quarterback Drew Bledsoe's most dependable target.
This season, however, Shaw had just five catches for 59 yards and no TDs. His release moved second-year man Sam Aiken up the depth chart and likely moves practice squad member Drew Haddad onto the active roster.
"Anytime a team is struggling, there's a tendency to make some changes but this one catches Bobby and me both by surprise," Shaw's agent, Frank Bauer said. "Maybe they were trying to send a message."
Coach Mike Mularkey denied that was the intent of the move, instead saying that Shaw's production had dropped to the point where releasing him was a necessity in order for the Bills to move forward. He denied Shaw was a scapegoat, even after owner Ralph Wilson criticized his team's offense as being boring after the Bills' 16-14 loss to the New York Jets.
"I think we can be more productive there," said Mularkey, who coached Shaw in Pittsburgh. "It's not picking on one guy. I don't know if it's a scapegoat. That's the nature of the beast. If you're trying to be more productive at any position, you try to find somebody that will be. We're going to do that as long as I'm here, whether it's the first five weeks or whenever."
In last week's 16-14 loss to the New York Jets, Shaw was Bledsoe's intended target on four third-down pass attempts but only one was completed. Shaw also had a missed assignment that resulted in a pass glancing off his back on first down. Mularkey said Shaw, who was signed through 2005, was also not productive enough in practice and in team meetings.
Bledsoe, however, described Shaw as dependable and a solid teammate.
"Bobby's a friend of mine and he's been a productive player for us and I'm sad to see him go," Bledsoe said.
On whether Mularkey sent the players a message with the move, Bledsoe had mixed feelings.
"Listen, if you're not winning, if you're 0-4, then everybody is looking to make the situation better in any way we can," he said. "I assume this move was made with the idea of making us better but as to exactly how that plays out, you'll have to ask Mike."
Zebras are here: With his team averaging eight penalties per game, Mularkey has stolen a page from the New York Jets and has hired two referees to throw flags at each of his practices.
Teams normally have officials work practices in training camp only. Jets coach Herman Edwards uses officials at every practice and his team has been the least penalized in the NFL since 2001.
"We want to take any route we possibly can to take care of the problem here (in practice) before we bring it out there (in the stadium)," Mularkey said. "We'll see how productive it is.
"If it's emphasized in front of peers in the practice environment maybe it will carry over into the game."
The practice officials formerly worked in the Arena League. The team refused to disclose their names.
Losman on the field: Rookie quarterback J.P. Losman, who broke his fibula in training camp, threw for the scout team on Wednesday, another key step in his recovery process.
Losman expressed again his belief that he'll be ready to practice at full speed in another two weeks. The team is more cautious. Losman still has inflamed ligaments in his leg that need to quiet down.
"I'm the one who's pushing it," he said Wednesday. "They want me to take my time and not come back too early. It's a career to think about and not just this year. I just don't like being injured so I'm pushing hard to be back as soon as possible. I really feel a need to show my teammates and coaches."
Henry hurting: Running back Travis Henry (foot) and left tackle Jonas Jennings (ankle) are questionable for Sunday's lowdown with the Miami Dolphins, a matchup of the NFL's only winless teams. Neither practiced but they are expected to work at some point this week.
Henry, injured in the first quarter against the Jets, has a strained left arch (plantar fascia) and was hobbling. Strong safety Coy Wire (thigh) did practice, but is also listed as questionable. Cornerback Troy Vincent (knee) and center Trey Teague (knee) are out.
The battered Dolphins said kicker Olindo Mare (calf) is out and signed ex-Giant Matt Bryant to take his place. Coach Dave Wannstedt is still figuring out who his starting quarterback will be Sunday.
Jay Fiedler (ribs) or A.J. Feeley (concussion), who didn't practice, or third-stringer Sage Rosenfels.
LROTH@DemocratandChronicle.com
