Two Bills Drive

‘For the second straight year, several Bills launched performance-based charity contribution campaigns. Last September, the players made pledges to specific charities based on their potential performances. After the season, they tallied up their statistical marks and made considerable donations to eleven local charities and national affiliates.’

‘The Bills will hold their first voluntary off-season conditioning program next Monday, March 12 through Wednesday, March 14. Tom Donahoe recently sat down with buffalobills.com and talked briefly about plans for this program as well as the entire off-season schedule.’

‘Washington is seeking a contract in line with what the Seahawks gave defensive tackle John Randle (five years, $25 million, with a $5 million signing bonus). "We’re not going to play for peanuts," Wright said. "These teams think they can bottom-feed."’

Now that Marcellus Wiley has signed with the Chargers and Ted Washington was let go, more mock drafts are predicting the Bills will use their first pick on a defensive lineman. This one has them taking Shaun Rogers of Texas.

‘This is a nightware which was reality for the Bills for one year [1997]. A *TRUE* QB controversy is when you do not have a QB you want to start, as Cleveland had at the end of last year or the Chiefs will if Collins is the starter. People will start cheering for the punter to start as QB.’

‘The cons: At 38, can [Flutie] still perform at a high level?…Openly bickered with Rob Johnson over who should start, raising questions about his willingness to tutor Vick.’

Some quotes from the article:

"I’m going to go where the best football situation is for now. It’s only a few more years for me, and wherever that may be, I want to make the most of it on the football field," Flutie said.

"As much as he’s a friend off the field, on the field, I just think he can make the biggest impact for us at that position, out of all the other names out there," Wiley said.

‘"As soon as [Butler] was released from Buffalo–it was still during the season–people in the locker room were talking, ‘San Diego,’ " said Wiley, 26, who had 10 1/2 sacks for the Bills last season, his first as a starter. "[Linebacker] Sam Rogers is coming in to visit too."’

‘Free-agent quarterback Doug Flutie visited the Chargers on Tuesday and, by his account, it couldn’t have gone much better.’

‘NFL sources said yesterday the Chargers want to proceed slowly with Flutie because they’re waiting to see if the Dallas Cowboys will release veteran Troy Aikman tomorrow.’

‘Tom Donahoe stated ‘As far as the Bills, the three areas we’re looking the hardest at are the defensive line, offensive line, and the secondary.’ CBS Sportsline says that this is one of the deeepest drafts for DT and rates the DT’s. Big Ted is only rated #8 on their list.’

‘The Tennessee Titans is one possible team Christie will NOT be going to. The Titans signed vagabond Nedney to replace Al Del Greco who was let go after failing to perform in a clutch multiple times last year.’

‘We did look at Alex Van Pelt this morning, and we have some interest in signing him. We probably would go to training camp with four. It’s likely we will sign an additional one in the off-season, and probably look in the draft. Going into the camp with four, it will create some competition…’

‘Said Van Pelt, who owns a home in Orchard Park: "I feel positive. My wife and family love it in Buffalo, so if things can work out here, it’s where we want to be."’

‘The Bengals broke off talks with Washington after the two sides failed to narrow a huge gap in virtually every facet of the contract proposals. Cincinnati offered a two-year contract with a $2.5 million signing bonus. Washington’s agent, Angelo Wright, countered with a four-year proposal at $22 million and including a $6.5 million signing bonus.’