Two Bills Drive

Hicks (6-7, 324) surprised the coaches with his speed and mobility in workouts. He started 23 games for the Bills in 1999-2000, then was hurt coming into camp last year and was cut early by the new staff. He went to the Lions and was cut two weeks later. Hicks admits he “was still a Buffalo Bill at heart” when he went to the Lions and didn’t perform the way he should have. He now says he’s over the heartbreak and is eager to show the league he can still play. The Texans believe he has a good chance to show it with them.

It’s funny, with winning coaches such as Tony Dungy and Schottenheimer getting jobs, that no one seems to be moving on Wade Phillips, who took the Bills to back-to-back playoff appearances. Phillips is a close friend with Chargers GM John Butler, but the Chargers are expected to wrap up some kind of deal with Schottenheimer over the weekend.

ESPN.com has learned that Reeves met with former Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Kurt Schottenheimer early this week. In addition, he discussed the job with Wade Phillips, most recently head coach of the Buffalo Bills, and a man who worked as Reeves’ defensive coordinator in Denver and who succeeded him as head coach of the Broncos in 1993.

Full list of expansion players (except final four playoff teams) has been released. QB Rob Johnson at $11,225,250 is the largest 2002 cap cost. Other ex-Bills players exposed include:

CB Jeff Burris ($6,583,000),

Safety Kurt Schulz ($2,100,000),

Guard Glenn Parker ($1,663,357)

Despite an attack that statistically ranked 13th in the league, the Buffalo Bills on Friday dismissed offensive coordinator Mike Sheppard after only one season, feeling his philosophies did not jibe well with what head coach Gregg Williams had in mind.

‘"I just thought we needed to see if there was someone else out there who could improve the offense," Williams said.’

‘Donahoe on Friday downplayed the significance of the quarterback’s availability in expansion. "It doesn’t really signify anything other than the fact that he’s on the list. I can’t violate the confidences of what I said with the players. Some players weren’t happy, but I can’t expect them to be thrilled. A large percentage won’t get picked and will come back to the teams that put them on the list."’

Rob Johnson, John Fina, Ken Irvin, Raion Hill, Avion Black were placed on the expansion list.

‘Sheppard was hired by head coach Gregg Williams last February. He spent the previous two years as quarterbacks coach in Seattle.’

‘”When I looked over Jim’s stats,” he said, “head-to-head against the three most heralded quarterbacks of his era, he had a .667 winning percentage against each of them … and cumulatively. Against Dan Marino he was 14-7, against John Elway 4-2 and against Joe Montana (already in the Hall) 2-1. In playoff games he was 5-0, 3-0 against Marino and 1-0 against each of the other two.”

All rumors to this effect are true. TD will hold a PC at 12:30 ET

Stadium Wall regular Mike in Syracuse says that WNSA has reported that offensive coordinator Mike Sheppard has been fired after one year. Details to follow.

‘"I’m going to look at my options and see what happens," Moulds said. "By no means am I just going to bolt the NFL and go to the NBA, but if it’s something that I get the opportunity to do and it’s a way to stay in shape and get ready for the football season (I’ll do it)."’

David Carr answered chat questions including one on Buffalo.

Q: Some mockdrafts done for a sports website has you going to Buffalo. What are your thoughts on that?

A: David Carr: I mostly followed QBs when I was younger so I didn’t really have a favorite team. I just liked watching good players. I wouldn’t mind playing for Buffalo. They have a good team and good players. The weather wouldn’t bother me. But I will play anywhere.

Ruben discusses his Probowl preparation; he is also bringing his son with him without his wife for she is due in February.