Two Bills Drive

‘"Any time something like this happens, they seem to rally around the team, and it’s really nice to see. It was a carnival atmosphere out there. You have to laugh to a certain point, but then you think about what it means for everybody here. It means on Mondays when they wake up to go to work they might be smiling again."’

‘It’s a rare town that will hold a rally for a football player and treat him like some head of state. But it’s good that Buffalo can still turn on the small-town charm at times like these.’

A VERY BIG THANK YOU to Mr. Wilson, Mr. Donahoe, and Mr. Williams for bringing Drew Bledsoe to the Buffalo Bills! What an incredible stroke of luck and brilliance! I am so proud to be part of this community and to be a Buffalo Bills fan!

‘In his first trip to One Bills Drive nine years ago, Drew Bledsoe was knocked to the turf and out of the game by Buffalo linebacker Cornelius Bennett. On a return visit Wednesday, Bledsoe was floored again. In a happier, less painful way.’

‘For the Bills, it was the dawn of a Drew Era.’

‘Dunn and Donahoe said there are no present plans to re-work Bledsoe’s 10-year, $103 million contract of which he’s guaranteed $16.5 million over the next three seasons. The cap hits are manageable for Buffalo.’

‘"This is a great acquisition for the Bills. I’ve known Drew for a long time. He’s a leader and that’s something they need here. He hasn’t thrown a pass yet, and he already has people excited. This is going to be good for the Bills and good for the city. Even I’m excited. I wish the season was starting tomorrow."’

‘Then the fun began. In a white limo big enough to house a family of six, Bledsoe was brought to Bills headquarters shortly after 3 p.m. where an estimated crowd of 1,500 fans were waiting. Some were sporting Bills sweaters with Bledsoe’s No. 11 — and tape over Rob Johnson’s name. Others bought T-shirts and hotdogs. And yes, the ticket office was open. The band even played the fight song of Bledsoe’s alma mater, Washington State.’

‘He won’t say it, but Bledsoe also sees something else. He sees a time coming in November and December when he’ll get the opportunity to make two games a bad situation for the Patriots. It is a time he will look forward to, although he’ll never admit it.’

‘Jim Kelly, to whom Bledsoe is considered the long-awaited heir apparent in Buffalo, fired the first shot when asked about his thoughts on the trade. “It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard of,” said the Hall of Fame quarterback, who will take Bledsoe to dinner this weekend and figures to be a staunch ally during Bledsoe’s time in Buffalo. “How could they ever let him go? And to Buffalo? This boy can still play. I’m sure they must have had reasons, but they better be good ones. I hope he comes back to bite them. (The Patriots) get the first-round pick out of it, but what’s it going to be? The 28th pick? The 29th?”’

‘The nine-year New England quarterback won over a crowd estimated at slightly more than 1,000 in a parking lot alongside Ralph Wilson Stadium by saying, "It was always tougher to play here because of people like you. I was jealous because I wanted to be part of an organization like that."’

‘Based on the welcome Drew Bledsoe got in Buffalo on Wednesday, you’d have thought he’d won the Super Bowl, instead of just watching it from the sideline.’

‘If Bills fans haven’t rallied behind Bledsoe yet, it won’t take long.’

‘"Look at this," Kelly said, embracing Bledsoe and pointing to the dozens of reporters inside the Bills’ field house and about 1,000 fans outside. "This is all for you."’

‘"Every time he took a snap from center, I held my breath against the Patriots," said Bills Owner Ralph Wilson. "To get a player and invididual of this character is a real plus for the Bills."’