Two Bills Drive

‘When Donahoe took over the Bills two years ago, the team was in salary cap hell. Today, there are eight players left from that team, the Bills are $7 million under the salary cap and nobody would laugh if you would suggest that they have a chance to compete for the AFC Championship.’

Don’t count Sam Adams out of the Buffalo Bills’ lineup for 2003 just yet. An NFL source said talks between the defensive tackle and the club are progressing and both sides have stated publicly in the past that they want to get the deal done. It appears that still could happen.

‘One time Centers remarked to my colleague Lary Bump that he trusted the Bills’ coaches and management so much that he felt he could shoot craps with them over the telephone. Now he’s an ex-Bill – I wonder if his opinion of team management has changed.’

‘Reese had a career-high 51 tackles while starting 15 games for the Denver Broncos last season.’

‘With the goal of expanding the presence of the Bills and improving the overall game day experience, their visibility and involvement within the community exceeds expectations.’

‘Reese, 28, was selected by the Cowboys in the sixth round of the 1998 Draft out of Alabama-Birmingham. He spent the 1998-01 seasons with the Cowboys before spending last season with Denver. In his career, he has played in 71 total games with 30 starts and has recorded seven interceptions.’

If there is one reason the Buffalo Bills have maintained their competitive position in the AFC despite the rapid turnover of personnel in the NFL, it’s their picks in the NFL draft. The Bills’ 2002 final roster contained 23 of their draft picks. Fourteen of those players started in 2002.

The Buffalo Bills added veteran depth and versatility to their secondary on Friday, agreeing to terms with Izell Reese, an unrestricted free agent who played for the Denver Broncos in 2002.

Win a Wilson Authentic NFL Game Ball autographed by linebacker Takeo Spikes!

‘Centers made the Pro Bowl in 2001 after catching 80 passes, seventh most in team history. Last season, however, the Bills were more willing to throw the ball to starting running back Travis Henry. Centers and Henry each caught 43 passes. Centers was much more of a factor in Mike Sheppard’s West Coast offense than Kevin Gilbride’s attack.’

‘The moves allowed the Bills to save about $2 million against the league’s $75 million salary cap.’

‘”I didn’t feel like I was given a whole lot of opportunities to help determine the outcome of the games, and that’s something that I’m not used to,” said Centers, whose 808 career receptions is No. 3 among active players and ninth overall in NFL history.’

‘Centers clearly fits the Patriots’ mold. Perhaps the main questions are how much he has left after 13 NFL seasons, and can the Patriots fit him under the salary cap.’

‘The 34-year-old Centers caught a pass in 143 straight games, a streak that ended Oct. 27 against Detroit. That mark ranks behind only those set by Jerry Rice and Tim Brown. He has 808 receptions for 6,691 yards and 27 touchdowns in his 13-year career. The Bills are looking for a fullback with more blocking ability.’

‘Centers, who turns 35 in June, had 43 catches for 388 yards last season for the Bills. But with Travis Henry and Sammy Morris showing pass-catching ability in the backfield, Centers became expendable. Robinson, who turns 33 in April, was third on the team with 102 tackles last season. But the offseason additions of outside linebackers Takeo Spikes and Jeff Posey squeezed out Robinson.’