Two Bills Drive

Big Mike, as the Buffalo Bills ‘ first-round draft pick often refers to himself, put on the biggest show at the Rose Bowl this past weekend, as he and 30 other NFL rookies took part in the Reebok NFL Players Rookie Premiere.

Tuesday marked the second day of the Bills off-season camp with the entire team present. It was also the first time first-round draft pick Mike Williams took the field with the veterans.

The Countdown Until The Uniform Unveiling

A breakout season can be defined as the point at which ability, preparation and opportunity merge into production.

Henry – He would have had a 1,000-yard season as a rookie if he had stayed healthy. With a better line and an improved passing game to keep defenses playing the Bills more honestly, Henry should excel.

Jennings – Despite injuries last year as a rookie, he came on strong at right tackle. This year, he probably will be moved to center, a position he played at Georgia. Jennings has the intelligence and mobility to excel at that spot.

Since the end of the 1946 season Buffalo's professional football team has been known as the Bills. How did it get that name?

‘"You never know, you get an injury here and you move up to third corner. You get a hamstring injury here and now you’re on the edge playing as one of the first corners. He has to be able to make plays."’

‘"Last year was so dim around here. It looked like there wasn’t any light at the end of the tunnel. But there’s such a different attitude around here now. We’re walking with a swagger. That’s something we didn’t have last season."’

‘"I think one of the things that’s been unfairly written about my situation is that Jay Riemersma refuses to restructure. Restructure and doing other things are two totally different things. I’m open to any possibilities."’

‘Details weren’t released but Centers, who a year ago signed a two-year deal worth about $2 million with incentives — including $800,000 in base salary for 2002 — will very likely be given more guaranteed money and his deal will run at least through the 2003 season.’

”’It’s tough, let me tell you,” Riemersma said. ”You read and see some of the things, I just hope this all gets resolved as quickly as possible. We’ll find out here in a week or so but I’m up here in good faith, just trying to earn a spot like everyone else.”’

‘Marino and a collection of ex-Dolphins will play a team of Bills alumni quarterbacked by Jim Kelly in a charity flag-football game July 21 at the University of Buffalo. Other ex-Dolphins expected to participate include wide receiver Mark Duper, fullback Keith Byars and kicker Pete Stoyanovich.’

‘"I definitely think there have been a lot of positive changes made," Centers said. "Bringing in Drew Bledsoe and London Fletcher and Eddie Robinson, guys like that with leadership qualities."’

"It's extremely exciting for me, said Buffalo's top receiver. "I'm just going to go out there and work hard. Drew loves to throw the ball deep so I think we're going to have some exciting times out there at Ralph Wilson Stadium."

Williams denied that Fina’s absence foretold an imminent release. "John and I talked about that," the coach said. "He probably came back (from off-season surgery) too fast last year. There’s nothing to read into that."

As the Bills work through a busy off-season and prepare to write a new chapter in team history, buffalobills.com columnist Tim O'Shei is spending the next several weeks collecting feedback from buffalobills.com users to write an online book about the team.