Two Bills Drive

‘”We’re expecting it to be loud down there,” Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe said Thursday. “That’s why we’ve been practicing our silent counts. One of the things that makes it so hard to win in this league is that crowd noise.”‘

‘”One of the things we think is kind of nice is that the fans have a chance to come out here and see the Bills,” he said, “plus the chance to see some of the best athletes in the world in that sport … and that’s really neat. There’s a lot of golf fans on our team and on our staff, and we invited (the pros) to come over and watch practice.”‘

‘I feel real good about the direction. I’ve got really good people here I’m working with again and quite honestly would not have left that situation down there, which I think is an outstanding situation, had it not been for the opportunity to work for and work with Tom Donahoe, who’s another person for me to learn from, and Ralph Wilson, another AFL original owner like Mr. Adams. I think that was appealing to me to take that step, and I feel real good about where we are right now."’

‘”It was surprising because they have Travis, but that’s no knock on him,” four-time Pro Bowler Eddie George said about the Bills decision to draft McGahee. “His future is going to be fine. All he has to do is stay focused and keep working hard.”‘

‘Titans C Tom Ackerman agreed. “Takeo Spikes,” he declared when asked which Buffalo off-season acquisition would have the most impact. “He is a great player, plays hard. He is one of the top linebackers in the league. I think he’s going to bring in energy for them, a name, and leadership. He’s going to bring that whole defense to another level."’

‘”I think anytime you loose a good player like Price, it can change things,” Walters said. “But I don’t know if it will make him any less effective. I think he is one of the best in the business. He was over at the Pro Bowl with us and I can see why he is a good player. He’s a big guy and fast with great hands.”‘

‘"He has rare power, speed, big-play ability," coach Gregg Williams said. "It’s hard to find guys like that at any level of football that can dominate the game the way he was dominating it before he got hurt. There’s no doubt in my mind he’ll get back to that level."’

‘"It’s good they had me out there to get some reps with the "ones’ and see how I do," said Pucillo, a 6-foot-4, 311-pounder. "It felt good to be out there. They’re just taking a look at me at different positions, center and guard."’

‘A crowd of several hundred sat through the hottest day of camp so far and saw starters Josh Reed and Nate Clements get into a brief fight, with both tumbling to the ground after a rush around right tackle. It’s not too common to see two starting skill players tussling.’

‘” He needs to be in training camp,” said coach Gregg Williams, who hasn’t seen or spoken to his prize rookie since June 13. ” Everybody adjusts from their first camp to their second camp drastically, so it’s good that he’s here before this camp is over and he can see what goes on. I was impressed where he was at when he left in June and knowing his work ethic (I’m sure he’s further along). But we’ll evaluate it, take it slow, and be smart.”‘

‘” If things don’t work out with the Bills, I feel my capabilities are good enough to play for someone else. If that’s the case, preseason is an audition for 31 other teams,” Witczak said. ” I know four hot spots right now I think that’s going to be a little circle for kickers going in and out this year."’

‘” I’m feeling pretty good out there, it’s where I played in college,” he said of the guard position. ” Playing center is a chance for more reps, but we’ll see how this goes.”‘

‘“I feel good. There is no pain, no swelling,” McGahee said. “The first thing we’ve got to do is let (the team’s) doctors and my doctors get together. Then we’ll see when I can play.”’

‘”I love what the Buffalo Bills have done turning weaknesses into strengths, said the PGA Pro. I think the Bills are going to show up in the Super Bowl against the Rams.”‘

Brief Observations:

Pierson Prioleau – Was very impressive. Seems to react the fastest of the safeties. He also was running so fast towards the fence he jumped it.

Clarence Coleman – Looked like the best receiver on the field. Caught everything thrown to him including a pass that was way behind him.