Two Bills Drive

‘Undrafted in large part because he’s small (5-foot-8, 191 pounds), Simonton didn’t have a spot in football last fall after he was cut in mini-camp by the San Francisco 49ers. ” When you don’t get into camp, trying to get into this league is a monster,” Simonton said. ” It’s like one team doesn’t want you until they find out another team likes you.”‘

‘Former Browns coach Sam Rutigliano wasn’t sure if Joe D. could be acquired when the trade was made in 1980. “It took us a New York hiccup to make that decision,” Rutigliano said in a recent interview.’

‘Walking up the stairs to the team’s headquarters at St. John Fisher College, alongside fellow starting linebackers London Fletcher and Jeff Posey, Spikes called out to a group of reporters. ”Here are the three best linebackers in the league,” Spikes said. ”Print it, fax it, write it, photocopy it. This is where it’s at.”’

‘The parade drew hundreds of community members from their home to wave and cheer as the Bills officials and players, including veterans Josh Reed and Mike Williams, floated through town saluting and greeting fans.’

‘Buffalo Bills receivers coach Fred Graves had surgery on Saturday after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Doctors said he will need up to four weeks to recuperate before he can start coaching again.’

"There’s not anybody that has to worry heat problems or hydration problems today," head coach Gregg Williams said following the morning workout.

‘”I want to surround myself with positive influences and positive energy,” Wire said after Friday’s practice at St. John Fisher College. “I like to give myself constant reminders throughout the day to stay focused, and to keep in my consciousness the goals I’ve set for myself.”‘

‘"When the system was created it was designed to eliminate holdouts," said Donahoe. "It didn’t do that last year and it doesn’t look like it’s going to do that this year. So you have to start to question what’s wrong with the system."’

‘Brown, 26, has great physical tools and could be something special if given the chance to develop. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder played most of the 2001 season finale at Miami when Van Pelt was injured and showed his raw talent by going 15 of 33 for 201 yards, with one TD and two interceptions.’

‘” The advantage is that they only hear one voice,” Gilbride said. ” The disadvantage is that I’m trying to look at them and everybody else at the same time and sometimes they get away with some stuff.”‘

‘Reed said he thought Norbert would be home by now, but he understands that his brother has a job with its own timetable. Norbert is a medical specialist in the Army and has been in Iraq since March.’

‘Centers, who spent his first nine seasons toiling for a non-contending Cardinals team, figures to be attracted to the opportunity to play for a potential playoff team. Key word being ”play.” Finding a role for Centers shouldn’t be problem for Charlie Weis, nor should committing the funds; Centers likely won’t accept just the veteran minimum, but the Patriots could sign him to a multi-year deal and pay him the minimum with a satisfactory signing bonus.’

‘Tonight’s pep rally welcomed the team back to its summer home. The team’s training camp is located at St. John Fisher College.’

‘This was the first candlelit ball in Rochester- the Kelly’s plan to make it an annual event.’

‘No doubt about it, if the Bills have a great season, which isn’t a stretch with the new talent on the field, Williams will be in great position for a very hefty raise. If the Bills stumble, he’ll be gone, an outcome likely to occur even if he had signed an extension, as did both coordinators in the off season.’