Two Bills Drive

‘The Houston Texans claimed defensive end Erik Flowers, a former first-round draft choice, off waivers Wednesday.’

The San Francisco 49ers, who spent much of the spring attempting to add another veteran WR to their mix, accomplished that goal on Wednesday; the team was awarded Jeremy McDaniel on a waiver claim.

The Houston Texans have claimed DE Erik Flowers. Flowers was a first round draft choice of the Buffalo Bills in 2000. Flowers, 6-4, 273, played 15 games last season with the Bills, starting five. He recorded 37 tackles (20 solo), two sacks and four qb pressures. As a rookie in 2000 he played in all 16 games on special teams and in the defensive line rotation totaling 23 tackles (11 solo), two sacks and one interception.

Interest in former Bills tackle John Fina is heating up, and he hopes to land with a team by the end of the week. Six teams checked in during the past few days, and most want to sign him as a tackle. But a couple of teams, such as the Redskins, are considering him for opportunities at guard. Fina is training in Tucson, Ariz.

The extension is for one year and, added to the original two-year contract Centers signed last summer, ties him to the Bills through the 2003 season. Included is a Signing bonus of 250,000 with a reduction in salary from 800K to 750K giving him $1M for this season and a base of $1.1M next season.

‘"I think we’re starting to understand each other," said Bledsoe, who has looked comfortable in Buffalo’s first two preseason games. "I’m starting to know their body language. I can tell when they’re coming out of cuts and they know what I’m looking for."’

‘"No, I’m not going to do TV," said Williams, who’s outgoing personality has piqued the interest of Buffalo-area broadcasters. "I think I just need to concentrate a little bit more on football. Especially in my rookie year." What’s this? Big Mike without a Mic? "Well," the 370-pound, 6-foot-6 Williams added, "radio is a possibility. We’ll see."’

‘With a stable full of running backs already, Burns’ chances of making the Bills are not good. He would be more likely to end up on the Bills’ practice squad if he clears waivers. It does not matter to the 22-year-old Georgia native, all he wants is a chance to compete.’

‘After visiting the Bills for a few days, there’s no doubt in my mind that his reconstruction project is ahead of schedule but that his attempt to stay behind the scenes will fail.’

‘”The personality of this offence will develop through the course of the year,” Bledsoe says. “But I would say, in my opinion, I think we can be a very attacking offence. I think that we’ve got the weapons to get downfield in the passing game. “We can be a big-play offence, but, in order to do that, we also have to be very consistent in what we do. Because, if you take shots down the field, you’re not going to hit all of them.”‘

‘"He’s a smart player," Moulds said. "You can’t teach the instincts that he has. The guy knows how to get open. He hits the zones well. He knows man-to-man coverage, and he can go deep. You can’t teach those attributes. I think he has a chance to make the team, a legitimate shot. I hope he does. He’s worked hard."’

‘Flowers was one of the all-time good guys, but he joins Walt Patulski and Phil Dokes on the Bills’ Bust of Fame.’

Buffalo was on track to jump close to the .500 mark even before the Drew Bledsoe trade, and if all the other pieces continue to fall into place as expected, a nine-win season seems realistic. If Bledsoe shines and stays healthy, the Bills could be this year’s surprise team.

‘"I think camp should be a max of three weeks with two preseason games, maybe three at the most," said linebacker London Fletcher, who is wrapping up his inaugural Fisher camp after spending the first four years of his career with the St. Louis Rams.’

‘"Erik did everything we asked him to do, he worked hard, but for whatever reason it didn’t happen for him here."’