Two Bills Drive

‘"What I look at as a real positive is the fact that last January we had 38 players under contract and were $19 million over the cap. This year by the end of the week we’ll have close to 60 players and we’ll be under the cap."’

‘That would leave Buffalo director of football operations Tom Modrak, a highly accomplished player personnel man, and Seattle executive vice president Mike Reinfeldt, a polished administrator.’

‘History will not judge Rob’s time here kindly.’

@ Cowart’s and Johnson’s contracts have issues related to their injures. Beyond those two problems, the Bills shouldn’t have much competition for most of their remaining free agents. Bills observers believe the remaining UFAs shouldn’t receive too much attention on the market, and the Bills certainly would like to have Conaty and [Shawn] Price back for their leadership qualities.

@ Butler’s decision [on a five-year, $15 million contract for fast-but-frail receiver/returner Tim Dwight] also is raising questions as to whether past spending sprees in Buffalo genuinely can be attributed to owner Ralph Wilson?s zeal for a Super Bowl title. Really, Butler?s over-the-top deal for Dwight makes Rob Johnson?s money-for-nothing seem downright reasonable.

@ Staticreative Design Studio was awarded the Camp Good Days & Special Times account for 2002, and will create media kits for A Kickin’ Campout With Christie, a June 22 Camp Good Days event honoring Buffalo Bills alumnus Steve Christie.

@ He is now the assistant deputy commissioner for New York State Park and is STILL a die-hard Bills fan.

@ “In my opinion, it’s poor planning, because it’s really taxed everyone,” said Buffalo Bills general manager Tom Donahoe. “I’m sure it probably has something to do with the collective bargaining agreement, but I’d still prefer they move free agency back a couple weeks, because we’d still be able to get everything accomplished.”

@ Dean Cain was a rookie free agent out of Princeton in 1988. He choose to try out for the Bills because Kelso had a head injuries previous year, knew that with Marv Levy’s system, he would get the chance to play in the preseason and prove himself.

Unfortunately an old knee injury forced him to have surgery before his first preseason game but Marv Levy told him to return next year. Cain’s injury turned out to be worse than expected. The knee never completely healed, so he had to retire.

As Cain became famous, his former coach Marv Levy came up with one of his best-ever lines. One week, the Bills were getting ready to face an opponent that someone in the media had called a “superteam.” “How many of you remember Dean Cain?” Levy asked his players in the locker room. A few guys raised their hands. “Well,” Levy said, “we CUT Superman!”

‘Should the Titans release Bishop, the expansion Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills are his most likely landing spots. Buffalo Coach Gregg Williams, who spent 11 years with the Titans/Oilers, has called Bishop ”one of my favorite players, an absolute warrior,” while ex-Titans secondary coach Jerry Gray is now the Bills’ defensive coordinator. Buffalo also runs much the same defensive scheme as the Titans do.’

‘Cowart has had two agents involved in talks with the Bills. But during the past several days Paul Healy, who based in Jacksonville, Fla., has taken over full responsibility for negotiating the contract.’

Sam Cowart, Buffalo, LB — If this were a year ago, and Cowart was coming off his Pro Bowl season of 2000, he’d be one of the more coveted names in free agency. But injuries have cost Cowart 19 of his team’s past 20 games, and players who have snapped an Achilles’ tendon are not the safest of bets.

Joni Graham, Alumni Relations Coordinator, talks about her department and tells about recent visit to the Veterans Hospital with Ernie Warlick and seven other ex-Bills.

Tied for Seventh best with Cleveland Browns after Houston Texans (-18,600,000), Arizona Cardinals (-16,400,000), Chicago Bears (-10,280,000), Minnesota Vikings (-8,300,000), Cincinnati Bengals (-8,200,000), and Philadelphia Eagles (-7,600,000).

QB Rob Johnson $6.15 million, CB Ken Irvin $1.9 million, DE Phil Hansen $2.6 million (retired), LT John Fina $3 million (will be released in June)