Two Bills Drive

‘With Matthews on board, it looks as if the Bills will open the season with quarterbacks taking up four of their 53 roster spots, and only two will be healthy – Bledsoe and Matthews.’

‘Without making any promises, Mularkey wasn’t afraid to pay Trafford a strong compliment. "He should be able to play in this league, I think that right now," said Mularkey, who played nine seasons in the NFL at the same position. "If desire’s not enough, you’ve seen flashes that he’s got talent enough."’

‘An ownership group headed by former Seahawks player Sam Adams has filed an application with the National Indoor Football League for an expansion franchise in Everett starting in 2005, league officials said yesterday in a news release. Adams plays defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills.’

‘"We’re not going to go into the first regular season game with just one experienced quarterback," said Donahoe. "We would not think that’s a fair position to put the team."’

‘"In my 20 years in the NFL I can’t remember a situation like this in this short a time frame with the quarterbacks," said head coach Mike Mularkey.’

‘In related injury news, starting safety Lawyer Milloy underwent successful surgery Sunday on his broken forearm. Milloy seems confident he will be able to play in the Sept. 12 opener against Jacksonville.’

‘He watched practice on Monday standing next to quarterbacks coach Sam Wyche talking about plays.’

‘It’s possible that Matthews could make his Bills debut in the team’s preseason finale, at Detroit on Thursday. The Bills, who open their regular season hosting Jacksonville on Sept. 12, have only two other healthy quarterbacks on their roster: Bledsoe and Greg Zolman, who opened camp as the team’s fourth-stringer.’

‘"The news is better than we expected," Bills general manager Tom Donahoe said. "Travis has a sprain of the knee. His anterior cruciate ligament is fine. It’s a four to six week injury, but it could be sooner or a little longer."’

In the meantime, the Bills on Monday added journeyman Shane Matthews, who was with Cincinnati in 2003, but did not appear in a single game. The 10-year veteran certainly meets the requirement of being able to get into camp with the Bills, quickly assimilate the offense, and serve as a stopgap of sorts.

‘New England 13-3; Jets 9-7; Buffalo 7-9; Miami 4-12.’

‘You might have thought an astute football mind like Donahoe would have signed a veteran quarterback this spring or summer at bargain-basement rates. Ol’ Whitey clearly knew better, though, sticking with an unproven rookie and a relative veteran proven to not be very good. Hey, Tom: Kordell Stewart awaits your call.’

‘So what does Donahoe do? Zolman has to stay on the active roster for the immediate future … at least until the Bills’ new QB – whoever it might be – gets comfortable. Until then, does Buffalo keep four QBs on the active roster to prevent Losman from wasting the year? What a decision … and it’s still only preseason.’

‘"I think Kevin and Terrence are doing a good job," said Defensive Coordinator Jerry Gray. Nickel corner is one of the harder positions because you’ve got to read the quarterback, you’ve got to read the line and you’ve got to make tackles. Each guy is qualified to play the spot so that’s going to be a healthy competition also. All in all our team will be better because we will be getting the maximum amount of ability out of these guys. Everyone has to raise their game to play on this defense."’

Buffalo saw its bad luck at quarterback continue, as backup QB Travis Brown was carted off the field following a hit to his left knee. The Bills had already lost rookie QB J.P. Losman with a broken leg Tuesday. On top of that, Bills S Lawyer Milloy broke his right forearm Saturday night and will undergo surgery. The Bills didn’t know how much time he’d miss.