Two Bills Drive

‘"There’s a fine line between hope and belief," said Buffalo head coach Gregg Williams, on the first day of his team’s three-day minicamp. "But he brings belief. All of us became better coaches the second that deal was cut."’

‘”Our personal biases aside, the Bills have arguably the premier personnel tandem in the league in Donahoe and director of football operations Tom Modrak, and they will get things right. The deal for Bledsoe certainly solidified Donahoe with the loyal Bills fans. And anyone who looked at the second straight powerhouse draft by the team and isn’t impressed with the work of Modrak — take a hint, Arthur Blank, when you get around to considering general manager candidates in Atlanta again — ought to have a cranial MRI.”‘

‘Williams credited Bledsoe for showing the commitment to suit up for a camp that featured mostly rookies. "I thought that spoke volumes about him being in practice today and getting started as soon as he can," Williams said. "And he jumped right in with both feet today and took charge."’

In total, 57 players attended the first-day workout. Some of the big names taking part included quarterback Drew Bledsoe, wide receiver Reggie Germany, first-round draft pick offensive tackle Mike Williams and linebacker London Fletcher.

”’We started calling ourselves ‘The Bills’ more, rather than ‘The Buffalo Bills,’ so people in a broader area would identify with us,” he said.’

‘Sure, it’s only football, but Western New Yorkers follow their team with a passion unmatched in most other NFL cities. When the Bills are on the rise, spirits are lifted on the Niagara Frontier.’

‘Please know that you have made a profound difference in my life and the way I will live it. And while I am very excited about my future in Buffalo, I will miss you.’

It’s back. It has been gone for five years, though we never knew how badly we missed it until we saw it return.

‘But the most striking thing about his appearance is he does not look fat. He is just . . . plain . . . big. Wide. Thick. Big. He wears a size 60 sportcoat.’

‘Here’s betting this is the season we find out that Williams, now that he has the personnel, can flat-out coach.’

‘Granted, the deadpan Bledsoe barely registers on the charisma meter. But he left a legacy beyond wins and losses in New England. The Boston Globe’s Mike Holley: "He proved you don’t have to be disrespectful to make a point, you don’t have to be a self-promoter to draw attention . . . Bledsoe is the person all parents want their children to be."’

‘Tom Donahoe, the Bills’ president and general manager, said this week that the Patriots posted the deal on their site before they formally replied to the Bills’ offer.’

‘"In college my goal was to be the best," Williams said. "I knew I had the God given ability to be the best and I wanted to use those talents. I wanted to go out there and be the first offensive lineman taken and that’s what I worked on everyday when I stepped out there on the field. To accomplish that goal is so satisfying and comes with a great responsibility."’

‘On a team void of star power, the Bills have a poster boy again. And boy did they need one. Last season, attendance dipped to a 14-year low…’

The Bills first round draft pick rolled into town Thursday in preparation for the team’s orientation camp for rookies and new free agents. Williams was all smiles at his press conference because he knows where he’s going to begin his NFL career, "I have a home. When you go so many places and visit with so many teams you wonder where am I really going to be? It’s like a big poker game and I was trying to play the draft myself, but with all the possible picks you just never know. Now the difference is I have a place where I feel very accepted."