Two Bills Drive

‘Officials said the box office would be indefinitely open throughout the night because of the large amount of interest the trade has generated.’

‘The deal apparently went over well in Buffalo. Even before it was announced, the Bills opened their box office to accommodate fans who heard the trade was imminent. Buffalo, which failed to sell out four of its eight home games last season, drew 504,709 fans last year, the lowest since 1987.’

‘Drew Bledsoe became a Bill yesterday afternoon because Donahoe, Buffalo’s team president and general manager, was more worried about going into next season without the strong-armed former Pro Bowl QB than Belichick was worried about going into training camp with him.’

‘Bledsoe, who appeared at the early April White House ceremony honoring the Patriots, hasn’t talked to Belichick since the season ended.’

‘Even when he was the star, Bledsoe never publicly criticized his teammates.’

‘There is a certain amount of arrogance attached to the Bledsoe trade, otherwise the Patriots would not have dealt him to a division rival. Kraft could have taken less and spared Bledsoe the humiliation of having to revisit Foxboro twice a year for the remainder of his career. Bledsoe will undoubtedly suck it up and take playing the Patriots as an extra special challenge.’

‘In fact, if the Bills are a bad team again, which would be no surprise at all, it will strengthen the defending Super Bowl champs, who after yesterday’s trade now own Buffalo’s No. 1 pick in 2003, which could easily be in the top five.’

‘The Patriots, willing to trade their former franchise quarterback within the division after all, accepted a No. 1 draft pick in 2003 for Bledsoe, and heavens to Jim Kelly, the Bills are contenders again.’

‘"We all knew what the situation was," Belichick said of his quarterbacks, Drew Bledsoe and Tom Brady. "A football team can have only one starting quarterback."’

‘The Super Bowl champion New England Patriots concluded their draft with what they hope is a case of addition by subtraction. In the process, they strengthened one of their rivals in the AFC East.’

‘Bledsoe has a $5 million salary this season, $5.5 million in 2003 and $6 million in 2004. On Nov. 1, 2004, the Bills will have to decide whether to pay a $7 million option that triggers the remainder (2005-2010) of the contract.’

‘"I knew if I wasn’t drafted I would be somewhere as a free agent," said Ferguson, the 251st overall pick. "I really wasn’t too worried about it."’

‘"There’s really a buzz here right now," Donahoe said.’

‘Bledsoe told the Patriots he would retire rather than return for his 10th season as a backup to Brady and that he preferred to remain in the AFC East. He turned down a chance to be dealt to Cincinnati.’

‘"For many reasons and at many levels, this was a difficult trade to make,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. "He gave our fans some of the greatest memories in the franchise’s history. Drew Bledsoe is a special player."’