Two Bills Drive

The most interesting dynamic in the division is the head coaching change in Buffalo.

‘”My responsibility is to try and get us to the Super Bowl,” Gray said. “If you go in with an attitude less than that then you don’t have the right focus. We have a team, we have the players. We just have to put it together.”‘

Three new coaches decorate the Bills as they head into 2004. Their new HC is former Steelers OC Mike Mularkey, and the new OC is Tom Clements, also from Pittsburgh.

But the addition of veteran coach Sam Wyche as QB coach could be the key to this team. Wyche is an innovative and creative coach who will serve as a guide to starter Drew Bledsoe and mentor to rookie J.P. Losman. In fact, Losman will eventually be the Bills’ QB, but knowing Wyche, we may see him get some time in short-yardage situations since Losman is a bigger version of the Steelers’ Antwaan Randle El.

Fellow rookie Lee Evans was another good draft pick for the Bills as the most experienced receiver in the draft (he spent six years at Wisconsin). That should help a team that finished 30th overall in total offense score some points. If Mularkey wants to see his team improve, the offense has to get back on track. If they do, this will be an interesting team to watch.

‘"If they’re interested, they may sign him," Conquest coach Rick Buffington said Tuesday at a media luncheon. "He could get as far as the practice squad. They make good money right now."’

‘"This is tremendous opportunity for D. and he certainly deserves it," said Albany Conquest Head Coach Rick Buffington. "If Buffalo likes what they see they could sign him in the near future. D. will fly out from Buffalo to Green Bay to play in our game on Friday night against the Blizzard. He will not miss any practices this week since Thursday is a travel day for us."’

There’s no question that the Bills have all the pieces to have a potent, high-scoring offense. The key will be giving Bledsoe the time he needs to make his reads down the field. With all the weapons Mularkey has at his disposal, it’s tough to imagine the Bills struggling on offense the way they did last season.

On the other side of the ball, status quo wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen to a team that ranked second in the league in total defense. But there’s a fine line between status quo and complacency and the Bills would be wise to toe it carefully.

If Mularkey is able to get the new additions to jell and work out some chemistry puzzles (i.e. Henry and McGahee), there should be plenty of cheers from Ralph Wilson and the patrons of his stadium.

Within two months, Brittany and Robbie have organized fundraisers to purchase old cell phones and prepaid calling cards. They have raised more than $130,000 through these events and their Web site, Cell Phones For Soldiers.

Their efforts have been acknowledged by the White House, members of the military, and Jim Kelly, quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. Kelly has also signed on as their celebrity spokesperson.

The Bergquist siblings have been collecting a lot of stuff lately. Like e-mails from grateful soldiers in Iraq and their mothers, wives and fathers in the States; $500 donations from TV stars; backing from former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly; and lots of thank-yous from people all over the country.

‘As long as Eric Moulds stays healthy and Drew Bledsoe stays off his backside, this team will have a chance to post its first winning record in five years.’

‘The Bills have the added challenge of signing two first-round draft picks this year and with training camp opening in less than a month, the clock is ticking on getting wide receiver Lee Evans and quarterback J.P. Losman into the fold.’

‘Furthermore, with no CBA extension, new contracts can only be factored out over six years – that’s if Donahoe were to get one done in 2004. Deals written next year will be under even tighter constraints, meaning Donahoe may not have the leverage it appears he has by suspending talks until further notice. One agent said Donahoe’s fax was merely more posturing and he won’t be bullied into a premature, under-market deal.’

‘Ruben Brown may have been cut by the Bills but he has no hard feelings, at least not enough to let them get in the way of his charity work. The classy nine-year veteran went ahead with his fourth annual Ruben Brown Motorcycle Run to benefit the Salvation Army last weekend from the Ralph Wilson Stadium parking lots. Celebrity riders Jim Kelly, Fred Smerlas, Ted Washington, Sam Gash and Pat Williams took part.’

‘”When we spend time on certain tasks, on improving certain areas of our lives, we generally get results,” Vincent said by phone last week. “If I spend time in the weight room, on the practice field, generally I’ll get results on the playing field. There’s a slim chance I won’t get results. The same thing applies in our daily lives with our families. What you put in is exactly what you’ll get out.”

‘The battalion has been stationed in Iraq since February 16, 2004, though many are confident their mission will not last much longer. "I will be there for the home opener," McKirchy said. "This is going to be an exciting year for the Bills and I’m not going to miss any of the action."’

‘In honor of Independence Day Sunday, Buffalobills.com took a look back through the 43 years of Bills football to come up with a squad that shared the surnames of the 43 United States presidents, or other notable presidential candidates (or parties).’