Two Bills Drive

‘The Buffalo Bills 2004 rookie class has yet to take a snap on an NFL field, but they are already champions. The six newest members of the Bills squad finished first in the Ultimate Rookie Challenge at the Rookie Symposium held in La Costa, California this past week.’

‘Germane Crowell plays for the New Orleans Saints, and Angelo plays for the Buffalo Bills. The camp focused on improving football skills, but it included motivational talks by professional athletes and community leaders.’

‘Among the AFC East alsorans, Buffalo will make the most improvement, albeit without Drew Bledsoe taking the snaps. I like Bledsoe, but let’s face it, my lardulous physique could avoid the rush better. With cocky rookie QB J. P. Losman and new head coach Mike Mularkey at the helm, the Bills will undergo an attitude adjustment that translates into more wins on the field.’

‘Former Bills special teams star Steve Tasker will appear in television commercials scheduled to be aired this fall as part of the company’s business-to-business marketing campaign.’

‘The Bills were expected to be playoff contenders in 2003 but underachieved. They again will be in a position to achieve success in 2004.’

‘Electricity supplier Pro Energy has entered into a marketing agreement with the Buffalo Bills that includes providing low-cost electric power to Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘"You’re at training camp for a reason," said Mularkey. "You’re creating your team’s identity."’

‘The locker rooms at East Aurora High School were used by the team for dressing and training room facilities. The players were shuttled between hotel, locker room and practice fields by school bus, sometimes driven by players or team personnel.’

Because expectations were so high for the Bills’ Mike Williams, the fourth overall pick of the 2002 draft, he has been perceived as a mild disappointment. Though Williams has been inconsistent, he has flashed dominance. Last season, for instance, he handled Jevon Kearse of the Titans. Williams has continued to get better, and his improvement should be accelerated this season. Playing next to him will be a rock in right guard Chris Villarrial, and coaching Williams will be Jim McNally, one of the best in the league.

‘Make no mistake about it – Krumrie is a coach, a solid football coach, one of the most highly regarded defensive line coaches in the business. The Bills will have trouble holding on to him after his contract expires at the end of this season. He has friends all over the league, including LeBeau in Pittsburgh, Matt Millen in Detroit and Gregg Williams in Washington. Williams, who was fired by Buffalo at the end of last season, hired Krumrie away from the Bengals.’

‘Maybe it’s that Mularkey was an NFL player, but the fact he instantly recognized that peer pressure could be more important than gratifying his own ego to get a result, showed insight I think will be appreciated and responded to by the current crop of Bills players.’

‘A half dozen candidates will push Brown for the punt return duties this summer, and Haddad adds to the mix. After spending the 2000 season on the Bills practice squad, he joined the Indianapolis Colts. In the 2001 preseason, he returned 14 punts for 292 yards, a 20.9 average, including 84- and 94-yard TDs.’

‘The Bills, who had little depth at center, are giving Dan Koons a shot to backup Trey Teague, signing the University of Louisville standout earlier this month.’

‘The Bills still have about 1,000 indoor club seats left unsold for the upcoming season, with many fans telling officials the environment is “too antiseptic for what they want to experience going to a football game,” GM Tom Donahoe said during a radio interview. Jacksonville recently lowered the price on 2,000 club seats but the Bills aren’t ready to take such drastic measures yet.’

‘If offensive coordinator Tom Clements is going use both Travis Henry and Willis McGahee in some of his formations, I hope sufficient time is spent in training camp on picking up blitzers. Foes are sure to test the willingness of both backs to protect Bledsoe when those human Humvees come crashing toward them.’