Two Bills Drive

“It was back and forth,” Buffalo Bills GM Tom Donahoe said. “Early, you thought it was going to go. Then you didn’t. And then you did.”

NFL talent evaluators long have felt Johnson has the tools to be a top passer. A 1995 fourth-round pick by Jacksonville, Johnson consistently has impressed with his arm strength and athleticism, plus his prototypical height (6-foot-4, 212 pounds). But he has struggled to find a comfortable situation, whether with Jacksonville, Buffalo or Tampa Bay.

‘"Being that I played down the road, my college ball in Syracuse and really haven’t been back up this way, I am very impressed. I’m impressed with some of the things I see; the organization and the way they are moving definitely seems like they are heading in the right direction."’

‘"Things are going great so far. For a team that I didn’t think that I would be visiting it’s been going good. I just saw Travis Henry and we spoke for a while. I think this is a great opportunity for me."’

‘Smith didn’t fully reveal if any other teams had been talking to him, but after his press conference he did say on local radio, with Dale Hellestrae, no less, one of the talk-show hosts there in Phoenix, that his people did talk to Kansas City and Buffalo.’

Running back Olandis Gary (Denver Broncos), wide receiver Qadry Ismail (Indianapolis Colts), and fullback Sam Gash (Baltimore Ravens) are all in Buffalo today to tour the facility and meet with the coaches. Gary has rushed for 1,614 yards in four NFL seasons. Ismail had 44 catches for 462 yards last year after recording a career-high 74 grabs for Baltimore in 2001. Gash is one of the top blocking fullbacks in the league and spent two of his 11 seasons with the Bills (1998-99).

Based on how active Buffalo has been this offseason, I don’t think there is any doubt that GM Tom Donahoe is positioning the Bills for a major playoff run this season. In fact, I feel so confident about this, I put $20 on the Bills to win it all (at 20-1 odds) at the Rio Suites casino/hotel in Las Vegas last weekend while I was there on vacation.

Quick, agile pass rusher who will suit up for his fourth team…signed by the Texans as an unrestricted free agent on 4/18/02…converted defensive end…has 84 career tackles and 40 special teams stops…played in seven games for Jacksonville and four games for Carolina last season…spent his first three campaigns in San Francisco…originally signed by the 49ers as an undrafted free agent on 5/2/97.

‘Humility has long been one of Hull’s strong suits. It was among the traits he learned toiling on his family’s farm near Greenwood, where the wakeup calls came early on Saturday mornings.’

Long before brothers Tiki (Giants) and Ronde (Bucs) Barber made commercials celebrating the fact they are brothers both playing in the NFL, the Bills had an even more unique duo. The King brothers, Charley and Tony, both donned the red, white and blue of the Buffalo Bills and became the first pair of African American siblings to play on the same NFL team. Separated in age by only 16 months, the two played together during the 1967 season.

‘After releasing fullback Larry Centers, the Bills are bringing fullback Sam Gash in for a visit this week. Veteran wide receiver Quadry Ismail is also scheduled to talk to Buffalo.’

‘If NFL, ABC, ESPN and Fox officials are on the ball, they recognize that the Bills have upgraded themselves more than any other NFL team since last season ended and should plan to give them at least three prime-time games.’

‘Steve Christie now plays for the San Diego Chargers, but the former Buffalo Bill still supports Camp Good Days & Special Times.’

‘Oakland, Buffalo and Dallas — where Jenkins began his career — also pursued the former Nebraska-Omaha star.’

Buffalo GM Tom Donahoe, whose team was shut out of the compensatory process this year, certainly understands the significance of owning additional middle-round selections. The Bills acquired two current starters, OT Jonas Jennings (2001) and SS Coy Wire (2002), with third-round compensatory choices.

“It still comes down to making good choices,” said Donahoe, “but it never hurts to have a few more chances.”