Two Bills Drive

‘"I came in for a tryout with 127 other guys," said Koons of the en masse player call out. Of those 127 players Koons was the only one who got a call back from the team.’

‘The restaurant will have a sports-related theme, playing off Smith’s two-decade career as a defensive end with the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins.’

‘"I told them this morning and after practice they do need to get away, to be around family and friends," Mularkey said. "And I know they’re all going to work out, lift and be in condition. But the thing they need to focus on and is hard to do is stay up with the football part of it. As coaches, we’re going to stay in contact with them. Whatever it is (we do), they won’t get away from football because that level, as much as conditioning, is important and we don’t want to (lose) what we’ve accomplished to this point."’

‘The Bills’ interest in former Pittsburgh Steelers’ All-Pro LB Jason Gildon isn’t surprising – he was drafted by Buffalo GM Tom Donahoe when Donahoe was the Steelers’ director of football operations and played all during coach Mike Mularkey’s eight seasons on Pittsburgh’s offensive staff. What is odd, however, is that Gildon came in for a visit just four days after Donahoe said, "He’s not really a good fit in our defense."’

‘LB Takeo Spikes has no use for people patting him on the back for Buffalo finishing with the NFL’s No. 2 ranked defense last year. "Winning, that was the whole objective," he said. "Nobody’s going to say, ‘Man, Buffalo had the No. 2 defense in the league.’ Shoot, the first thing they mention is, ‘You were 6-10.’ That’s the only thing people remember."’

‘None of the players currently rated at the top of the quarterback list entering the 2004 college season has the great mobility of Losman. The top three draft prospects at quarterback currently look like Leinart (presuming he leaves USC a year early), Arizona State’s Andrew Walter and Purdue’s Kyle Orton.’

‘While the Bills’ offensive line wasn’t very good last year — "some of the plays just took too long to develop and we were asking our offensive line to protect for a long time," said Bledsoe — he believes new line coach Jim McNally is going to make a difference with his protection schemes.’

‘The latest to rejoin the NFL ranks is all-time UB great Drew Haddad, who signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills on Friday, rejoining the team that drafted him in 2000 and returning to the city that has been his second home since coming to UB from Cleveland’s St. Ignatius High School in 1996.’

‘"I don’t see myself competing for the fifth wide receiver spot," Aiken said this week. "I’m competing for third, second. Those are my goals coming to the season."’

‘While with the Bulls, Haddad became the most prolific receiver in team history.’

‘One of the live games being carried by The NFL Network this summer involves the Bills. However, the 7 p.m. Aug. 15 date with Denver in Ralph Wilson Stadium will be blacked out in Western New York unless there is a sellout.’

‘”We’re negotiating with four teams,” agent Peter Schaffer said on Friday, confirming that the Bills are among them. “When we find what we feel is the best situation for Jason, we’ll have a decision. But there’s no timetable.”‘

‘Most recently, he led the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe in receiving with 28 receptions for 455 yards.’

‘A standout wide receiver from University at Buffalo, Haddad most recently played with the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe where he led his team in receiving with 28 receptions for 455 yards. Prior to his NFL Europe experience, Haddad spent the 2001 and 2002 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts before being released prior to the 2003 season.’

‘"I was extremely excited to find out that Buffalo was interested in me," Haddad said. "Coming back to this area is a great feeling and I just want to get out and put that jersey on and make plays for this team."’