Two Bills Drive

”’Eric’s a guy that we expect to carry a heavy load as he has a lot of years here,” Bledsoe said. ”But with Peerless gone, I think he’s going to have to carry a little bit more of the load. And he knows that, and he’s been working his butt off.”’

‘Buffalo also was interested in Jefferson, but he was familiar with three Lions assistants from their years together in San Diego in the early 1990s. "I know a little bit about those guys’ way of thinking," Jefferson said. "I know they want to win. That’s what intrigued me the most. Coach Mariucci, he’s won everywhere he’s gone."’

Sam Aiken is still a Tar Heel at heart. He walks around the Bills training facility with sky blue from head to toe, yet he has never been more proud than he is now to be a Buffalo Bill.

"I feel welcomed with opened-arms up here," said Aiken. "It's a great feeling to be a part of this team."

May 26, 1979 – DUBENION GOES TO MIAMI

Former Bills' WR Elbert Dubenion left the Bills' scouting department to become a college scout for the Miami Dolphins.

More photos of progress

Photos of progress

‘This, by the way, is the man-versus-himself battle: If Jones can get his knee healthy enough to play, he could be a noticeable addition: With 13 sacks for the Bucs in 2000, Jones has the potential to be exactly the pass-rush specialist that Buffalo needs.’

If every player in the league prepared in the offseason as well as Bills strong safety Coy Wire, coaches would have a lot less to scream about on game days. In addition to getting his body in top condition, Wire works overtime in the film room trying to understand his assignments, technique and opposing offenses.

Players work from about 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. The goal is for the newcomers to hit the ground running when training camp starts. "It’s got to help a lot," said defensive end Chris Kelsay, Buffalo’s second-round pick out of Nebraska. "They expect the rookies to know their stuff and know their plays and they’re preparing us. It’s my job now and I don’t want to get fired from my job."

‘Congratulations to Buffalo Bills photographer Thomas Wolf for winning Honorable Mention in the feature category of the 35th annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Photo Contest (below).’

Team president Tom Donahoe’s judgment is rarely questioned, but until Willis McGahee becomes a 1,400-yard rusher, the team’s first draft pick is suspect. Yes, Travis Henry’s contract could be an issue down the line. And yes, the third-year runner has a fumbling problem, but using such a high pick on a risky performer while the team had other holes to address is peculiar.

‘"Without football I don’t know where I’d have wound up," he said. "Probably as a welder at St. Bonaventure University."’

The Claymores benefited from a perfect mix of Craig Nall (Packers)’s arm and the legs of Malan, Ken Simonton (Bills) and Maurice Hicks (Bears) who accumulated a bulk of the yardage for the Scotland offense.

‘WGRZ-TV, Channel 2, has won the broadcast rights to carry three Buffalo Bills games that will be carried simultaneously by cable’s ESPN. The first one is a preseason game with Tennessee on Aug. 16. The other two are Sunday night regular-season games with Miami on Sept. 21 and Kansas City on Oct. 26.’

‘Items donated by Bledsoe, who quarterbacked at Washington State University and the NFL New England Patriots before joining the Buffalo Bills last season, has contributed an autographed Bills jersey, a Bills helmet, an NFL football and a WSU helmet. He has also autographed a Wa-Hi helmet and a Wa-Hi jersey No. 12 for auction.’