Two Bills Drive

Carpenter, 25, came to the Falcons following three seasons in Buffalo, after the Bills did not tender him a qualifying offer last spring. He led all Atlanta secondary players with 73 tackles and also had four interceptions to go with 10 passes defensed.

The advantage Carpenter had when he joined the Falcons was a familiarity with the scheme being installed by first-year DC Wade Phillips, his head coaching for two of three seasons with the Bills.

‘Drafted by Tennessee in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft out of Alabama-Birmingham, Sidney (6-0, 188) played for the Oilers/Titans from 1998-2002. During that time, he appeared in 48 games (six starts) and recorded six interceptions.’

‘The five-year veteran spent his entire previous career with the Tennessee Titans and knee and forearm injuries have limited him to five appearances over the past two seasons. Sidney drew surprising interest, however, during the signing period, and rejected offers from the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions to join the Bills instead.’

‘Bills General Manager Tom Donahue, former coach Marv Levy and All-Pro player Ruben Brown will make the presentation. Many current and former players also will attend the event.’

‘The Bills could use someone to push two-year veteran Marques Sullivan, who started last season at right guard but is not proven enough to be entrenched at the position.’

What’s not to like about Buffalo’s aggressive overhaul of its defense, which ranked 27th in points allowed and 29th against the run last season? The Bills got better in terms of run-stopping with defensive tackle Sam Adams and end Keith McKenzie, improved their tackling and play-making at linebacker with Takeo Spikes and Jeff Posey, and upgraded at free safety with Izell Reese. Overall, they’re quicker across the board on defense. Plus, they played the tricky Peerless Price situation like a Stradivarius, trading their No. 2 receiver to Atlanta for a No. 1 draft pick. That means they’re back in the draft, even after giving up their 2003 No. 1 last year in the Drew Bledsoe deal. If Josh Reed steps up at receiver, replacing Price, the Bills are right there in the rugged AFC East. This much we’re certain of: Nobody in the division has improved more.

‘"This sport is just incredible," Kelly said. "Being from Pennsylvania, I was more of an open-wheel fan growing up, but I got hooked on NASCAR later on. The sport is just so competitive. This gives me the opportunity to continue to compete."’

‘Buffalo Bills unrestricted free agent kick returner/running back Charlie Rogers visited the Jets on Tuesday and may end up being the replacement for the departed Chad Morton.’

‘Shaun O’Hara, who could be the Browns’ center in 2003, spent Tuesday in Buffalo visiting the Bills. It’s not known how much interest the Bills have in O’Hara, but their right guard, Marques Sullivan, is not entrenched. O’Hara started 13 games at right guard for the Browns in 2002 and three games at center when Dave Wohlabaugh was injured. The Bills would have to complete a deal by April 18. After that date, restricted free agents become exclusive property of their former team.’

‘"We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and how each other reacts, which helps," said Winfield. "We had that familiarity with each other before so when Nate got here last year we picked up right where we left off. We didn’t have to learn to react to each other."’

‘The greatest thing was the closeness of the team. The guys were very, very close. To this day, I still get together with Ron McDole, Jim Dunaway and George Flint every year. Sometimes, a couple times a year," said Kindig. "It was just a bunch of great guys up there."’

‘It contains five linebackers, four offensive linemen, three defensive linemen, three running backs, three tight ends, three wide receivers, two quarterbacks, a defensive back and a special teams star.’

‘The award was established to recognize individuals that exemplify characteristics of the late Knox, including dedication to community, being active in humanitarian causes, support of the arts and humility. Wilson founded the Buffalo Bills Youth Foundation in 1987 and has been a supporter of food banks in the Western New York area, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the Ronald McDonald House, and the United Way.’

‘"Jim came into Fredonia (N.Y.) in a limo," Hull recalled. "And I went in there in the back of an equipment truck. I was sitting on a pile of helmets, footballs and jocks. There were helicopters following the limo, people hanging over the overpasses on the highway. It was 49 miles from Buffalo to Fredonia. I couldn’t see any of it. The guy who was driving the truck told me about it."’

‘Every game I was the first one in the lockerroom and the last one to leave. On that day, I looked over and Scott Norwood was sitting on the bench, still fully dressed in his uniform, and he was weeping. I told him I wasn’t leaving until he left, and that it wasn’t his fault. That was a 47-yard field goal on grass for someone used to kicking on turf. It was a very tough kick. I told him, ‘If I had done a better job, then maybe it would have been a 37-yarder, now get in the shower.'”‘