Two Bills Drive

”’I had to come to the right place,” Bledsoe continued. ”It had to be a place with a good organization and a team with a chance to win games. I feel we’ve got that here. It’s a good organization from the top down. Good people. I don’t want to just say I needed a change, because it couldn’t have been change just for the sake of change. I wanted to be someplace where I could help a team win.”’

‘”I’m in football heaven,” says the 27-year-old Melbourne podiatrist who traveled more than 10,000 miles to Pittsford.’

‘The starting offenses for the Bills and Vikings marched up and down the field seemingly at will Friday night in Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘The Bengals came out throwing in the preseason opener and the Vikings did likewise.’

‘"The only person I need to prove something to is myself," said Culpepper. "I don’t feel like I have anything to prove this year. I know what I’m capable of."’

‘Terms of the contract weren’t released, but it’s believed he received a one-year deal worth slightly more than the veteran minimum of $650,000.’

‘I neither made nor lost a cent on Kelly or the corporation founded with him as its figurehead, but as far as the publicly known facts are concerned, I find no fault with him in that situation. I am disgusted anew with those who claim to think Kelly "ripped off" anyone there. He owes nobody for his business failure.’

‘During the first 30 minutes, the litany of dismay looked like this: Culpepper completed 12 of 19 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown, he rushed seven times for 34 yards, and not once did the Bills come close to sacking him.’

‘In two practice tilts so far, Bledsoe has rung up 27 points in seven possessions. That breaks down to 3 TDs, 2 FGs, 1 punt and 1 turnover. He can start unpacking the boxes at the 36-acre farm he purchased in East Aurora, he’s got the team made.’

‘"We talked to him all winter, all spring, and it was just a matter of him being able to pass his physical," general manager Tom Donahoe said.’

‘For all the enthusiasm generated by the Bills’ off-season trade for quarterback Drew Bledsoe – and he played well again on Friday night – this team’s hopes for dramatic improvement rest with the performance of its defensive line. And, so far, the returns haven’t been good.’

‘Though they were trailing only 17-13 — and ultimately lost 24-21 — the Bills’ first-team defence surrendered 293 yards to the Vikings offence by halftime. Given that the Bills meet the Vikings for real in Week 2 of the fast-approaching NFL season, they may want to get up to speed sooner rather than later.’

‘The starting offense rolled for 293 yards in the first half and did not punt in five possessions; quarterback Daunte Culpepper threw for 189 yards and tailback Michael Bennett ran for 49 yards in 30 minutes of work.’

‘• Cornerback Tyrone Carter briefly was credited with a 98-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the second quarter before officials reversed the call on replay. The call was so obvious that coach Mike Tice sent his defensive players back on the field while officials were still reviewing the film.’

‘But the evening clearly belonged to the Vikings’ offense.’