Two Bills Drive

‘"I like them not so much on personnel but on the spirit they’re showing," Zimmerman said. "I like (defensive line coach) Tim Krumrie, I like (defensive coordinator) Jerry Gray. I think they’re well-coached, they play hard and the division is so close and that might be what it takes to make it to the top."’

‘” We thought enough of (Willis) to draft him where we did and we think he’s a professional player now and he needs to get on with that phase of his life,” Donahoe said. ” Even though he’s not on the practice field right away, he’ll be in meetings, working on his relationships with his teammates and coaches and the people on this team. We think that’s all an important phase of it.”‘

‘In last Saturday’s 20-19 win over the Baltimore Ravens, Coleman led all receivers with five catches for 89 yards. Two of his receptions went for gains of 36 and 25 yards and four catches overall were good for first downs.’

‘” He’s a remarkable athlete for an offensive lineman,” Gilbride said. ” He’s a big, strong kid that can run. He’s got athleticism and he’s a terrific young man.”‘

”’And if you woulda, coulda, shoulda we could have very easily been 11-5 last year if a few bounces went our way,” Williams said. ”And that’s with $20 million in dead money against the cap. We don’t have that situation now, we like what we’ve done, so yes, I think we can be a playoff team.”‘

‘As for the Pats and the season-opener against his former team at Orchard Park Sept. 7, Bledsoe couldn’t wait to bring it on. When asked if it would feel different playing Bill Belichick & Co. this time around, one year removed, Bledsoe shrugged. “I really don’t know,” he said. “We just need to win the game. We got through a lot of the hype and the hoopla from the first time last year. We just need to produce on the field better when we play them. That’s the big thing.”’

‘If McGahee is placed on the reserve non football injury list, Buffalo is not obligated to pay his 411-thousand salary, but will do so. General Manager Tom Donahoe says he hasn’t decided if McGahee will be put on that list. He could stay on the roster and just be one of the inactives until he’s healthy. Donahoe maintained that he will not take any chances with his young running back.’

‘He is expected to be placed on the physically unable to perform list.’

‘Although he is mending ahead of schedule, his return date is still indefinite.’

‘The Bills already have Travis Henry and signed Olandis Gary and have no glaring need at running back.’

‘The Heisman Trophy finalist was almost certain to be a top-five selection before the injury. McGahee’s recovery has been ahead of schedule, but it is uncertain when he will return. There is speculation that the Bills will place McGahee on the physically unable to perform list once he is signed.’

‘There’s good progress. We did have a trainer go down and spend a few days with him in early July and we’ve been in touch with his rehab people in Miami and have gotten reports from them. The signs are good. What that means long-term for this year we’ll have to wait and see.’

McGahee will sign a contract that, counting all incentives, could be worth as much as $15.528 million. In bonus money, he will receive $4.15 million. That includes an initial $1 million signing bonus, a guaranteed option bonus of $2.75 million due next March, and a $400,000 roster bonus.

‘The contract includes a guaranteed two-tiered $4.15 million bonus, the second part of which will be paid at the end of the season. The deal is also heavily laden with incentives, taking into account that the former University of Miami running back could miss this season recovering from an injured left knee.’

‘In accordance with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.’