Two Bills Drive

‘Defensive end Dwight Freeney, who set an NCAA record with 17.5 sacks at Syracuse last year, is both bigger and faster as he prepares to enter next week’s NFL draft. "I ran a 4.38 and I weighed in at 263," Freeney said Thursday of his time, in seconds, in running 40 yards at a recent NFL workout. "That’s the heaviest I’ve ever been, and the fastest I’ve ever ran."’

Recently, buffalobills.com visitors had a chance to ask GM Tom Donahoe questions regarding the Bills offseason activity and the NFL Draft on April 20-21.

‘The Bills have so far sent the Patriots two proposals. The Patriots countered the first with a request far above what Buffalo was willing to give up. The Bills sent another which, as far as can be determined, hasn’t been countered. The Pats would like a first-round pick. The Bills, picking fourth overall, will not part with that. Since the Bills are the only team actively seeking Bledsoe at this point, they see no reason to bid against themselves. The Pats’ poker face hasn’t flinched.’

Chat summary, Buffalo Bills related, by ICE

One player Buffalo won’t be taking is defensive back Miami’s Ed Reed, who projects as a free safety, who Dave Smith scouted: "He didn’t show a lot of physical talent, but he has good ball skills." Conclusion: If he’s not physical, he’s not going to be in Buffalo next season. But Reed is still in Buffalo today to visit with the team; Smith just doesn’t seem to like him very much …

Some facts and figures on the 67th Annual National Football League Player Selection Meeting

DT Ryan Sims (North Carolina) says he can fit in anywhere. Does he fit into the Bills plans? Here are the top defensive line prospects.

‘"Our job is to look at the player. There’s only one way to evaluate a player coming into this league and that’s to sit down and look at the tape…the tape is still the most important thing. But the draft has almost become a cult…and people have so much fun with it. Still, a lot of information out there is not necessarily how we feel and we can’t react to every piece of information that’s thrown out there by a draft guru."’

Q: What went through your head when you heard that you had been drafted?

A: I was a little disappointed I thought that I was going to go higher than I did. But then the way it turned out, this is probably the best place for me. I got the opportunity to get out on the field right away and showcase my talents. That’s what I am here for and that’s exciting for me.

‘Hollis signed for the veteran minimum of $650,000 with no signing bonus. Under a new league rule he will count only $450,000 against the salary cap.’

‘As for his first pick on draft day April 20, Donahoe vowed the Bills would opt for "the best available player" regardless of position. "When you are 3-13, I don’t think you have a starting anything," Donahoe said, referring to the team’s showing last season.’

‘”I have no idea,” said Harrington when asked point-blank if the Bills are going to take him. “Not a clue, not an inkling of an idea, I’m just as clueless as you guys.”‘

‘”Buffalo was a little more impatient and wanted to get something done,” said agent Jim Gaetano, who confirmed the deal. “They really wanted Mike.”‘

”’All we’ve tried to do with any of these other quarterbacks is to research them and see if it makes sense. Obviously, we have to go to camp with more than two quarterbacks. We’ll have four quarterbacks when we go to camp. Will that be another veteran? Will it be a draft pick? Will it be a young guy? I don’t know the answer to that at this point.”‘

‘”We have two pretty good quarterbacks here,” Donahoe said. “Alex Van Pelt did a quality job for us last year and Travis Brown is an outstanding prospect. Obviously we have to go to training camp with more than two quarterbacks. Will it be another veteran? Or a draft pick? Or a young guy? I don’t know the answer to that at this point.”‘