Two Bills Drive

‘The Bills will now need to fill four assistant coaching spots. Defensive line coach John Levra retired and quarterbacks coach Steve Kragthorpe became the coach at Tulsa.’

On the way to their 8-8 record, the 2002 Buffalo Bills were a lot of things to their fans, but good for their health was not one of them. Oh, there were times when watching the Bills would get your heart pounding so fast that it was a workout in itself. But there were just as many times when the only way you could keep sane was to have a stress ball in each hand and a masseuse kneading the muscles of your back.

‘The decision on Vinklarek had to be tough on Williams. The two have known each other for 16 years. Williams was the best man at Vinklarek’s wedding.’

‘There are 13 offensive linemen who played since 1970 that have been voted into the Hall of Fame. Of those 13, only John Hannah and Anthony Munoz have more All-Pro selections than "Joe D."’

‘"I made history," DeHaven said by phone Monday morning. "I’m the only man who was involved in the two greatest comebacks in NFL history. I still haven’t quit smiling."’

‘Drew is the draw, but his dad, Mac Bledsoe, is the show.’

‘The Buffalo Bills will not renew the contracts of assistant coaches Ronnie Vinklarek and Miles Aldridge for next season.’

‘Three men with strong Buffalo Bills ties are among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The class will be announced on Jan. 25 in San Diego.’

‘Weaver declined to comment on the meeting he had with Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Tom Modrak on Sunday, but a league source said he has been calling executives around the league to inquire about Modrak.’

One of them, offensive line coach Paul Alexander, is believed to be under consideration for the line job in Buffalo, according to league sources. Alexander, a prep product of nearby Rochester, N.Y., is one of the assistants thought to have at least another year on his contract and couldn’t be interviewed unless the Bengals gave permission.

The Buffalo Bills have decided not to renew the contracts of assistant coaches Ronnie Vinklarek and Miles Aldridge. “We just feel that we want to head into another direction at this time,” said Gregg Williams. “We thank both men for their hard work and wish them the best.”

4. Frank Reich and the great Bills’ comeback (1992 AFC wild card)

Reich heats up, throwing four touchdown passes, including three straight to Andre Reed, to give the Bills a 38-35 lead. The game goes into OT, but Buffalo pulls it out, 41-38, completing a 32-point comeback, the greatest in NFL history.

[Reich’s performance is currently leading voting]

"Look for (former Bengals head coach) Dick LeBeau to wind up as the defensive coordinator with the Bills. Tom Donahoe (Bills president and general manager) has so much respect for LeBeau. And it seems like (current coordinator) Jerry Gray has been in trouble most of the year. The way I hear it, Gray can stay, if he wants. But if LeBeau goes to Buffalo, he’ll be calling the defensive shots."

Tom Modrak has interviewed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Class of 2003 to be announced Saturday, January 25