Two Bills Drive

‘Instead, Johnson confirmed many of his critics’ worst fears — that he was incapable of staying healthy and unable to perform as the team’s undisputed starter.’

‘Four years of premium-priced quarterbacks added up to zero playoff wins for Buffalo. With a crowded wholesale market this offseason, it’s time for the Bills to do a little bargain hunting.’

‘He leaves as one of the most admired and respected players in Bills history.’

‘Hansen had no immediate plans other than to spend time with his wife, Dianna, and their 7-month-old daughter, Hope.’

‘He has told several teammates that he doesn’t expect to be here next season, mainly because he doesn’t believe he can get a fair shake in this town after being criticized heavily for the Bills’ problems.’

‘He was small town all the way, an underdog, a small-college player who gave every ounce of himself on the field and made himself into one of the top defensive ends in the game.’

‘"Nine of the last 12 games were (decided by) seven points or less. The hope is we can learn from that, and the biggest part of that is coming back ready to go even harder than we did this year."’

‘”He’s one of the best people I’ve ever been associated with,” said Bills offensive lineman Jerry Ostroski. “There isn’t a phony bone in that guy’s body. You won’t find a better teammate or friend. He will be missed.”‘

‘Rookie coach Gregg Williams and his staff had more growing pains this year than a teenager with a new weight set and Williams would’ve been better served hiring a pair of experienced coordinators last winter. But now that Mike Sheppard and Jerry Gray have gotten their hands dirty, their second years should operate much smoother. Why start over?’

‘Donahoe’s recent comments about Johnson’s durability and burdensome contract lead one to believe that the Bills are ready to file for divorce. Still, talk that Donahoe will meet this week with Johnson’s agent have kept open the possibility that he may return. Let’s hope not.’

‘”I want to be remembered as a consistent, dependable guy everyone could depend on,” Hansen said. “I got everything out of my God-given talent, and I believe I used all the tools at my disposal, and got everything out that I could.”‘

‘"I want to be remembered as a consistent, dependable guy," Hansen said. "I wasn’t Bruce Smith, and I couldn’t do what Bruce Smith did. I believe I used all the tools at my disposal, and got everything out of my talent that I could."’

‘Rookie Travis Henry, the Buffalo Bills leading rusher, will have arthroscopic surgery on Wednesday to relieve tendinitis in his right knee.’

‘Although he never received Pro Bowl recognition, Hansen started 148 of 156 games with the Bills and was regarded as one of the team’s most consistent players, compiling 867 tackles.’

‘One of just two Bills remaining from the team’s Super Bowl runs of the early 1990s, Hansen leaves the Bills as the team’s second-best sack producer, with 61.5, and the team’s active leader in games played (156).’