Two Bills Drive

5. Bills

Key additions: QB Drew Bledsoe, LB London Fletcher, OT Trey Teague.

Buffalo has been looking for the right leader since Jim Kelly retired after the 1996 season. Although his performance has tailed off the last three seasons, Bledsoe is only 30. He still has a lot of production left in him and could thrive in the Bills’ new offense if he gets enough protection. Although undersized, Fletcher is a quick, instinctive middle linebacker who can make plays from sideline to sideline. Teague replaces an aging John Fina at left tackle and will be counted on to protect Bledsoe’s blind side.

The Bills and the Buffalo Zoo will host a Community Day at the Buffalo Zoo this Sunday, June 2nd. There will be interactive games, face painting, and appearances by Bills players including Ruben Brown, Brian Moorman and Tony Driver between noon and 3:00 PM. Also participating will be Buffalo Jills, team alumni and Billy Buffalo.

Reserved tickets can be ordered only by mail, with a limit of 10 tickets per order. Requests for tickets should be sent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Attn. Enshrinement Tickets, 2121 George Halas Drive NW, Canton, OH 44708.

The August 3, 2002 ceremony has been moved to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium. The new location will provide a seating capacity of 20,348 seat. As a result, the Hall of Fame is able to offer to the public an opportunity to purchase reserved seats.

‘”I think every bar in Buffalo has a sign-up sheet for people to come watch the enshrinement,” said Joe Horrigan, the Hall’s vice president-communications/exhibits, who was born in Buffalo and retains close ties to the city. “With those fans coming from Buffalo, along with the fans who come from Pittsburgh every time a Steeler is inducted, we are expecting a huge, huge crowd.”‘

‘A total of 20 events will be presented in the 11 days of the celebration of the induction of this year’s class of enshrinees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.’

‘For the first time, the hall is making advance tickets available by mail for the event, to be held Aug. 3 in Canton, Ohio. A total of 7,138 sideline seats will be available at $10 each.’

‘The Bills, approximately $1.75 million under the cap, would like to create more breathing room so they can sign their 10 draft picks, go after a free agent defensive tackle and leave a cushion for emergencies. Riemersma and veteran tackle John Fina, who together represent $5.525 million in cap savings, are the prime candidates to be released.’

‘"We did everything we could with this, and it’s up to them to decide," Riemersma’s agent Jack Wirth said on Thursday. "If they think they’re going to have a better team by releasing him, that’s their view of it. We just wait to see what happens. I have no control over that, none whatsoever. It’s their call."’

Is Kendrick Office the man who will replace Phil Hansen at left end this season?

Let’s hope so.

Pete Metzelaars and Thurman Thomas to be awarded Ralph C. Wilson Distinguished Service Awards for 2002. This was annouced at the Buffalo Bills open backers meeting this week.

When the Bills started play in the American Football League in 1960, they wore blue jerseys at home with silver numbers and white jerseys with blue numbers on the road. Take a look back at the modifications to the Bills uniforms through the years.

The following Bills allocated players are on it:

RB: Curtis Alexander – Frankfurt

WR: Reggie Allen – Amsterdam

DT: DeVonte Peterson – Scotland

ST: Curtis Alexander – Frankfurt

QB/KR David Dinkins and LB Jimmy Robinson are not listed on it

Tomorrow, members of the general public will have their first opportunity to pick up tickets to the event at all Tops Friendly Markets locations and there will be a four-ticket limit per person. While the festivities are open to the public and free to attend, a ticket will be required for admission to stadium, Bills Experience, and autograph sessions for kids 14-and-under.