Two Bills Drive

* Multiple sources confirmed that Giants owner Wellington Mara called Bills owner Ralph Wilson before Jim Fassel interviewed with Buffalo. Mara and Wilson have been friends for years, and Mara wanted to warn Wilson of Fassel’s ‘occasional questionable’ off-field behavior that had embarrassed New York management at times during Fassel’s tenure.

‘This season the Bills will have their home preseason games first instead of the final two weeks.’

‘Week 1 – August 12-16: Denver at Buffalo

Week 2 – August 19-23: Tennessee at Buffalo

Week 3 – August 26-30: Buffalo at Indianapolis

Week 4 – September 2-5: Buffalo at Detroit.’

‘With the team’s first veteran camp coming up Wednesday, Director of Physical Development Rusty Jones along with new strength and conditioning coach Brad Roll have Monday and Tuesday to limber up the players. “The main focus on Monday and Tuesday is to get them used to the new procedures under the new coaching staff,” said Jones. “We’ll try to get them ready for the camp with stretching, and avoid situations in the minicamp by getting them hydrated, getting their carbohydrates and glycogen levels up, so they’re ready.”‘

‘After almost three months on the job, new Bills coach Mike Mularkey will get the first on-field look at his team when he conducts a three-day veteran’s mini-camp starting Wednesday, March 24.’

‘The hard-working Teague figures to excel under the tutelage of McNally. He was the only Buffalo lineman to start all 16 games last season. His agent, Kyle Rote, said the team has not informed him of plans to shift Teague from center, but he’s prepared for any type of change McNally may scheme up.’

‘Bills TE Ryan Neufeld, who played in NFL Europe for the Rhein Fire, is serving as tight ends coach for the team during that league’s training camp. “I wanted to see if coaching was something I eventually wanted to go into and so far I’ve really enjoying it,” Neufeld said. “I don’t think there’s a better situation to learn than to be thrown into a training camp at this level.”‘

‘Still, by most indications, Tennessee appears to be in the driver’s seat to keep Volek.’

‘The Bills have broached the subject of a contract extension with defensive end Aaron Schobel. Schobel has had 6.5, 8.5 and 11.5 sacks in his three seasons, and his contract runs out after 2004. Presuming he doesn’t have a bad year, there’s no question it will be cheaper to sign Schobel now than February or next March.’

‘”When I made this decision, I looked at London Fletcher, Takeo Spikes, Nate Clements, Drew Bledsoe, Eric Moulds, Sam Adams. I looked at the roster. I know there’s talent here. I know we can win. I believe I can be one of the components bringing things together. I have experience. I’ve made plays in the past. I expect to make plays in the future to help this organization get back to where they once were.”‘

‘An undrafted free agent out of Nebraska, White spent three seasons with the Buffalo Bills before his NFL career was cut short by a groin injury. But he collected his share of memories, intercepting a Dan Marino pass to clinch an AFC East title and returning a fumble for a touchdown in a victory over the Bengals that ESPN Classic occasionally replays. A linebacker by trade, White had to learn to play fullback when he signed with the Arena league’s Buffalo Destroyers in 1999. He credits former Destroyers and Storm fullback/linebacker Tony Jones with teaching him the nuances of the position.’

‘Here are the off-season playoff moves and a comparison of the 2004 nondivision opponents for the always competitive AFC East…’.

‘Carter’s prospects of carving out a career at the Bills from the second division of the Arena League remain remote, but at least he has someone to emulate. His high school buddy Reg inald Swinton, and team-mate at the Arkansas Twisters, is now a Detroit Lion.’

‘Also slowing Volek’s decision in recent days was the fact the Buffalo Bills formally entered the bidding Wednesday. Bills quarterbacks coach Sam Wyche and general manager Tom Donahoe outlined the potential for far more playing time than Volek would likely see as the backup to either Steve McNair with the Titans or Michael Vick in Atlanta. But the Bills’ offer was the lowest of the three teams.’

‘Bannister left Buffalo on Thursday night after spending two days meeting with Bills coaches and executives, and visits with other teams next week are in the works. McGee did not identify those teams, though the Baltimore Ravens, a team in search of help at wide receiver, are believed to be interested.’