Two Bills Drive

‘Smith, 25, was drafted in the fourth round of the 2000 draft by the New Orleans Saints. He rushed for 150 yards on 39 carries in his four-year career with the Saints, and started 36 of the 59 games that he has appeared in. Macklin, 25, had 36 tackles and one interception for Indianapolis in 2003. The Colts selected Macklin in the third round of the 2000 draft. Macklin has also played on special teams during his career.’

‘Rarely has Villarrial been beaten, which couldn’t be said about Brown.’

‘The Minnesota Vikings canceled a visit with Bruener and the Bills could be his only option. He was due to earn $2.4 million with the Steelers.’

‘There are plenty of big-name pass rushers on the market, including ex-Bill fan favorite Marcellus Wiley, cut by San Diego, but Buffalo isn’t likely to spend any significant money in this area.’

‘Brown, the Bills’ No. 1 pick in 1995 whose career here ended in a strange twist that saw him sit out the 2003 season finale, was a favorite target of critics. They never understood how it was he kept getting elected to the Pro Bowl. See a penalty flag in the vicinity of the offensive line? The guess was No. 79 was cited for some infraction.’

‘Villarrial received the red-carpet treatment from the Bills when free agency opened at midnight Wednesday. New coach Mike Mularkey called Villarrial at 12:10 a.m., and Villarrial was at Bills headquarters by noon. He was signed by nightfall.’

‘The Bills have a $2 million option payment that’s due Teague sometime in the next month. It wasn’t due the first day of the league year, like a lot of other bonuses. The option payment would lock Teague up through 2005. If they don’t pay the option bonus, then they would have to pay Teague an extra $1 million in base salary this year (bringing his base to $2.5 million) plus a $1 million reporting bonus. That’s not going to happen. So the choices are pay him the $2 million option payment or find another center and release Teague. Stay tuned for the Bober visit.’

‘Morris, who turns 27 later this month, was scheduled to arrive in Foxboro today after a visit with the Browns in Cleveland. He also has trips scheduled for Miami, Denver and Oakland this week, according to Slough.’

‘Winfield built a reputation in Buffalo as a solid cover corner and one of the best tackling defensive backs in the NFL. He is not known for big plays. He has just one interception in his last 37 games. The Vikings, however, are in dire need of cornerback help and had $33 million to spend under the salary cap.’

‘”We like the group,” Donahoe said of his defensive ends including right side starter Aaron Schobel and McKenzie. “We’ve got to improve … got to get better. (But) we finished ninth in sacks last season, which seems to get lost. Am I saying we wouldn’t look at a pass rusher, ‘No.’ But I think we feel better about that group than some of the (media) people in this room.”‘

‘”I saw the snow and was like, ‘This is home,’ ” Winfield said. “I live in Buffalo.”‘

‘Winfield is considered one of the NFL’s top 10 cornerbacks. He has just six career interceptions but is known for not giving up big plays. “He’s a unique player,” said Cottrell, the Bills’ defensive coordinator when Winfield was the No. 23 overall draft pick out of Ohio State in 1999. “I coached him for two years and loved it. He’s one of the best defensive players in the league.”‘

‘Tice never stopped trying to call Winfield’s agent Thursday. When he got through, he persuaded Winfield to take a late flight to Minnesota. Tice sent a friend’s private jet to Long Island to fetch Winfield, his wife and his two agents out from under the Jets. “I didn’t feel good until he was in a limo and on the way to the airport,” Tice said.’

‘The Browns entertained three free agents in addition to Garcia on Friday: Guard Ron Stone of San Francisco, running back/special teamer Sammy Morris of Buffalo and fullback Jameel Cook of Tampa Bay. If any sign, Stone seems most likely.’

‘When asked what made him decide on the Vikings, Winfield said, “Once we got off the plane, I seen the snow and I was like, ‘This is home.””