Two Bills Drive

‘Is he ready to play? “Ask me Sunday evening and I can answer your question precisely,” Cowart said. “Right now I feel ready to go, but you never know until you get out there and start hitting, start banging and get back into the feel of things again.”‘

‘”Belichick knows something, has confidence and if he thought anything else, he wouldn’t have done this,” Madden said. “The question I have is what effect will Bledsoe being in Buffalo have on Tom Brady – plus or minus? Will he feel better without Bledsoe? I’m not sure.”‘

Gilbride has strong-armed Drew Bledsoe to throw downfield. He also has receivers in Eric Moulds and Peerless Price who have the size and speed to stretch a defense. When teams finally respect the Bills in the air, Gilbride has a ‘talented line’ and ‘hard runners’ in Travis Henry and Shawn Bryson.

‘"People should be excited. You don’t want to try to temper that in any way," Donahoe said weeks later as the Bills prepare to open the season against the New York Jets on Sunday. "But people have to be realistic. They have to understand that we’re still a young team in a lot of areas."’

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‘"I still want to prove to myself," he said, "that I can be what I was."’

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‘Sheldon Jackson’s release leaves the Bills with only 13 players left from the roster Donahoe inherited in taking over in January 2001, following John Butler’s dismissal.’

‘But as much as the 2000 draft was filled with failures, this year’s roster survivors had plenty of success stories.’

The Colts tried everything they could to acquire a backup halfback from the Buffalo Bills, but they wouldn’t settle on Richard Huntley, who was later released by the Bills. They preferred Sammy Morris or Shawn Bryson, but no trade could be worked out.

The Bills today announced that the team has claimed off waivers offensive lineman Mike Houghton, linebacker Maugaula Tuitele, and linebacker Anthony Denman. The Bills have also signed TE Cory Geason.

‘The Bills chose Wire over Billy Jenkins, the veteran free agent signed during the offseason. While Jenkins played well, Wire was better in the eyes of the coaching staff.’

‘The Bills claimed linebackers Maugaula Tuitele from New England and Anthony Denman from Cleveland, and also added offensive lineman Mike Houghton from Green Bay. To make room for the trio, the Bills released veteran linebacker Fred Jones, rookie linebacker Dominique Stevenson and offensive tackle Kris Farris.’

‘The Monsignor Martin Association has the same challenge this season that the Harvard Cup experienced last year: paying the Buffalo Bills for use of Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘"Every single situation we’ve put him in, all he’s done is make plays," Williams said of the aggressive 6-foot, 209-pound Wire.’