Two Bills Drive

‘Expected to be a major special teams contributor this season, Spoon was pegged to back up newly acquired veteran London Fletcher at middle linebacker.’

Buffalo offensive lineman Jerry Ostroski has lost his starting position and now could lose $1 million. Word is that the Bills have apprised Ostroski he needs to reduce his 2002 base salary from $1.75 million to $750,000 to ensure himself a roster spot. It looks like Ostroski will take the pay cut.

Ostroski has reported denied this report.

The Bills today announced that the team has placed linebacker Brandon Spoon on the Injured Reserve list.

‘"Jay is your starter right now and he gives you a guy who can press it up the field better than most tight ends can do," he said. "He’s a blocker who is getting better and needs to continue to improve at the point of attack. In Dave Moore you have a good all-around tight end, a solid blocker who can run routes well. He gives you versatility. He can come back into the backfield. He doesn’t have quite the up-the-field ability as Jay."’

‘Buffalo Bills guard Ruben Brown was honored for his extensive charity work, and defensive tackle Pat Williams did a good deed for his high school alma mater.’

‘"I hate all this attention, I hate being in training rooms and being with Rusty every day. I just want to play," Ostroski said Monday after another long day of rehabbing his surgically repaired knee with Jones and watching his teammates go through a pair of steamy practices. "It was never about all this stuff before, it was about showing up every day at work, doing your job and going home. Hopefully I can get back to that."’

‘With the departures of players such as Smith, Ted Washington and Phil Hansen, there is an alarming absence of star power on the Bills’ defensive line. The team is desperate for someone to emerge and would be disappointed if it wasn’t Schobel.’

‘Though it’s not very likely he will lead the team in receptions again, Centers is relieved to see new coordinator Kevin Gilbride knows who he is. "It’s always good to be involved," Centers said.’

‘X-rays on Jennings’ ankle were negative but he will be hobbled for some time and may not be able to play in Friday’s preseason game against Minnesota. Compounding the issue is that Price is his backup. Stepping into the starting spot during Monday’s afternoon drills was Kris Farris, who is attempting yet another comeback after breaking his leg last season.’

‘"This year I think it’s up to him to put up or shut up. They got him all the help they needed with Drew Bledsoe and proven veterans. Now he’s got to go out and do it."’

‘Head coach Gregg Williams, defensive coordinator Jerry Gray and defensive line coach John Levra (who announced before camp that he’s retiring after this season) have a little more than three weeks to find an acceptable starting combination around Williams. The contenders at tackle: Tyrone Robertson, Justin Bannan, Leif Larson, Devonte Peterson, Ron Edwards and Demetrious Maxie. At end: Kendrick Office, Bryce Fisher, Ryan Denney, Aaron Schobel, Erik Flowers and Grant Irons make up the depth chart. Impressed? Neither were the Bengals.’

‘The Bledsoe family will hold a free parenting seminar at Buffalo Bills camp on Wednesday afternoon at 4:45 p.m. Parents are encouraged to bring their children.’

‘Price should be back soon, once he woke up he was ready to rejoin the drill but was forced to sit out the rest of practice.’

‘"I thought he played very well in instinctive positions around the run," Williams said, "but we felt that would happen. He had good linebacker stats at Stanford."’

Hey, fans! How is everyone doing after our first preseason game against the Bengals? For our first live situation of the season we did all right. It felt good once we started playing out there and I didn't want to come off the field.