Two Bills Drive

‘Just because the coach and linebacker came from Cincinnati, a 2-14 team, it will not prevent them from being impact people who will help put the Bills over .500 and into the AFC playoffs. LeBeau, who begins his 45th year in the NFL, will fill in the mental voids left by head coach Gregg Williams and defensive coordinator Jerry Gray. Spikes, while vying with London Fletcher for vocal leadership, will fill in defensive voids.’

‘Thomas emerged for the Bills late last season, breaking up five passes in the final two games. He intercepted a Brett Favre pass against Green Bay, and started the finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. He will compete for the third cornerback spot this summer.’

‘Then the phone rang. A guy identified himself as Ralph and welcomed Delamielleure to the team, adding that someone would be calling shortly. "I thought I had been drafted by the Steelers," he said. "I didn’t realize Ralph was Ralph Wilson, owner of the Buffalo Bills."’

The conventional wisdom has the Buffalo Bills choosing a defensive lineman, preferably an end, with their first-round draft choice. But the club is also looking hard at the cornerback spot. Always cognizant of what is upcoming for his team, general manager Tom Donahoe knows that current starting corner Antoine Winfield is eligible for unrestricted free agency after the 2003 campaign. And the feeling on the part of some Bills officials is that Winfield, given the spiraling rate of cornerback contracts, could be difficult to retain. Thus the interest in perhaps adding a quality corner in the draft and, quite possibly, even in the first round.

‘Flashes explosion off the ball and has above average anchor and leverage ability to hold firmly at the point of attack…Shows power in his moves down the line…Has the instincts to react quickly to the play and is very aware of play action and fakes.’

‘All-American first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report, ESPN and the Associated Press, adding second-team honors from CNN/SI…All-Pac 10 Conference first-team pick…Recipient of the Outland Trophy, given to the premier interior lineman in college football.’

Has a lean, athletic frame…Gets good depth in his backpedal, showing a burst coming out of his breaks…Has the body control needed to plant and drive and flip his hips in transition…Has very good closing quickness and the deep acceleration to run with receivers off the line of scrimmage.

Win an Authentic NFL Game Ball autographed by Mike Williams. Selected by the Bills with the fourth overall pick in the 2002 Draft, Williams was Buffalo's highest draft pick since taking Bruce Smith #1 overall in 1985.

Good route runner with above average speed and quickness…Shows no wasted motion in his release and uses his hands effectively to beat press coverage…Runs precise routes and shows a sudden burst through his routes.

Safety Coy Wire talked about last year's draft, his rookie season with the Bills, and his first NFL offseason in a exclusive interview with buffalobills.com. Selected in the third round (97th overall) out of Stanford, Wire started in 15 of 16 games for the Bills while increasing run support from the strong safety position.

‘"Anytime you look at your football team, you’re always trying to add quality big people," Donahoe said during the Bills’ predraft luncheon. "It’s a game of big people. If we can add some big people on either side of the ball, we want to try to do that.’

‘It means that for the first time under Donahoe, the Bills can honestly use the first round to select the best player available regardless of need, and to address depth concerns later on.’

‘The deal, which includes a signing bonus, was confirmed Thursday by Henry’s agent, Greg Johnson. The restructured contract also includes several incentives, and will pay Henry a base salary of $1.25 million in the final year.’

‘Fullback and special teams captain Sammy Morris accepted the Buffalo Bills’ one-year contract offer on Thursday. Morris will make $605,000 in his fourth season with the Bills and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next year.’

‘The position where they fielded the most questions was the defensive line. Buffalo’s first draft pick, 23rd overall, could be a D-lineman.’