Two Bills Drive

‘The Dolphins also contacted a half-dozen other teams, including the Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings, an NFL source said.’

‘The 6-foot-3, 305 pound defensive tackle was a three year starter for Ohio State, helping the Buckeyes win a national championship in 2002.’

‘Anderson had 11 career sacks at Ohio State. He started 36 of the 44 games he suited up for the Buckeyes. Anderson could become an important piece of the Bills puzzle should they not be able to keep Pat Williams who’s an unrestricted free agent after this season.’

‘The Bills still have to hash out contracts with wide receiver Lee Evans of Wisconsin and quarterback J.P. Losman of Tulane. Evans was the team’s first pick in the first round draft, Losman was the second selection in round one.’

TE Tim Euhus (Oregon State/No. 109 overall): Signing bonus: $321,500. Base salaries: $230,000 (2004); $305,000 (2005); $385,000 (2006). Total: three years, $1,241,500. Salary cap charge: $337,167.

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‘Coming from supportive atmospheres in Auburn and the University of Nebraska, Kelsay notices similarities in the football fanaticism of the home fans in Buffalo. “Buffalo is a very supportive city. Lincoln just has Nebraska football. We have the Sabres (NHL) and a Triple A baseball team (Buffalo Bisons). But the city really thrives on Buffalo Bills football. It’s great to go out every Sunday and see all that red and blue,” Kelsay said.’

‘"I’m just really excited to call a live game," Van Pelt said. "I’ve been doing a lot of practice games so far trying to get a feel for the process. It’s been a lot of fun."’

‘As for the other big comeback story in the quarterback scenario, Wyche isn’t ready to give up on Bledsoe. "I looked at a lot of film on Drew and he has not hit the wall," Wyche says. "He’s not done yet."’

‘Fred Engh, founder and president of the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS), spoke to nearly 200 youth football coaches and administrators on Saturday, July 17, at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The seminar was sponsored by the Western New York Youth Tackle Football Federation, which represents 185 football and cheerleading teams with 8,000 football players and 6,000 cheerleaders.’

‘The Bills think veteran linebacker Jason Gildon can help them but the contract they gave him is something less than convincing. His one-year deal valued at between $1 million and $1.25 million with incentives came with a signing bonus of no more than $500,000, making the Steelers’ all-time sack leader a candidate to be cut with no significant salary cap impact if he fails to perform in training camp.’

‘The Bills are close to signing DT Tim Anderson, their third-round pick out of Ohio State, leaving only two picks unsigned heading into training camp. Those picks, unfortunately, are first-rounders Lee Evans and J.P. Losman, and as GM Tom Donahoe says, "Signing first-round picks is never easy."’

‘WR Josh Reed doesn’t want to relinquish his starting job, but he’s wide open to the idea of returning to the slot where he had more success as a rookie. In 2002, he caught 37 passes for 509 yards and 2 TDs – a 13.8 average. Playing on the outside last season, he caught 58 balls but for just 588 yards – a 10.1 average. From the slot, catching short balls over the middle, Reed can use his run-after-the-catch abilities more effectively. "The coaches have done a great job so far," he said. "They’re going to put us in the positions that we need to be to make this team better. I’m just going out there and doing what they ask of me."’

‘Change was needed, but that doesn’t make everything better. Gregg Williams made mistakes, but if you think dumping him is all good, you are mistaken. The defense has lost Williams and have lost Dick LeBeau. Jerry Gray is a very good football man. But the heat is on him to not miss a beat without his mentor.’

‘"It’s not as grueling as it sounds," Mularkey said. "I know it hasn’t been like that here in years past but I’d rather start at this level, and if we need to cut back, fine. Because you can’t start here (a low number of sessions) and then say, "We don’t have enough practices, we’re not hitting hard enough.’"’

‘Children under the age of 14 can get autographs after each practice at the McDonald’s Kids Autograph tent.’