Two Bills Drive

New England at Buffalo, Week 4 — Both teams will be coming off the dreaded Week 3 bye as they play their first AFC East division game of the season.

“There’s nothing wrong with Lee Evans,” Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Tom Modrak said. “I like Lee Evans a lot. The kid can catch and run.” Modrak, a scout since 1973, was asked to consider the first wide receiver selected in the last 10 drafts and compare them to Evans. In chronological order, the list included Charles Johnson (17th overall pick), Michael Westbrook (4), Keyshawn Johnson (1), Ike Hilliard (7), Kevin Dyson (16), Torry Holt (6), Peter Warrick (4), David Terrell (8), Donte’ Stallworth (13) and Charles Rogers (2). According to Modrak, he’d take Evans over five, he’d take four of the top picks over Evans and one was too close for him to call.

"Based on what occurred last year, the consensus was that (the restricted market) would be pretty active, but that hasn’t been the case," said Buffalo Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe. "It’s moved back to how it was before (2003)."

‘”I am still doing the things that I have always done, but now I have the assistant to the head coach title,” said Jones. “There is so much paperwork in the offseason to get the group in here and keep things organized. I do flight schedules, help figure out what days we will have off, the payroll, and I also do the addendums to the contracts that are necessary. If the offseason paperwork is not kept organized it becomes chaotic. My duties may very well carry into the season with things like itineraries.”‘

‘It’s hard enough to win on the road in the NFL, but the Bills stretch run in the second half of the season could be a major challenge.’

‘Six of their first 10 games are at home, and their road slate looks decidedly more daunting than their home schedule.’

‘”We have one franchise quarterback,” Donahoe said, “and we’re looking for another one.”‘

‘Twice in the final two months, they will play back-to-back road games, with two West Coast trips.’

‘The Oct. 3 home game against New England could be huge in determining whether the Bills are a playoff caliber team.’

‘The Buffalo Bills appear to have something of a scheduling sandwich for next season, with what could be soft games at the start and finish of the year and a tough middle to chew on.’

‘The end comes Jan. 2 at Buffalo, where fired Steelers personnel boss Tom Donahoe is the team president and general manager who hired Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey as his new coach. Even Dan Rooney’s Irish eyes brightened over the possibility that the season finale in Buffalo between old friends might mean something. “It’ll be good,” Rooney said. “Hopefully, it’s for all the marbles.”‘

‘While the Bills won’t get to play on Monday night, they do have one nationally televised Sunday night game on ESPN. That takes place on November 14 when Buffalo visits Super Bowl Champion New England at 8:30pm.’

The third annual Athletes in Action’s Victory Beyond Competition Experience took place in downtown Buffalo’s Hyatt Regency on March 27 where many people gathered to celebrate the greatest comeback game in the NFL and to honor this year’s Call to Courage Award winner.’

The Buffalo Bills Alumni hosted their annual Check Presentation Luncheon and Awards Program on February 25, 2004. Over $50,000.00 was distributed to 20 local non-profit organizations. Donations ranged from $500.00 to $15,000.00. All recipients were invited to attend and as you can see by the many smiling faces, it wasn’t just the food that made it a luncheon no one would want to miss!

‘BOB STELTON: “Were any of them more interested than the others? Or do they all try and keep a poker face?” EVANS: “Actually, they all did a pretty good job of telling me their mindset. The Bills seem to be the team where it’s the most feasible that they’d take me. I mean, you look at the Steelers and they have three real good receivers. You look at the Browns, they are going through some things, but they have some good receivers over here. So I don’t know, but Buffalo seems to be, of all the visits, the one that is probably the most feasible in taking me.”‘