Two Bills Drive

‘The Bills think Driver has more big-play ability than Tillman, and he fits their defensive system better. Tillman was drafted to be a center fielder in the zone-defense scheme of former Bills coach Wade Phillips, but the Bills don’t play that system any more.’

‘Though Cowart won’t say so publicly, he and Bills coach Gregg Williams didn’t see eye to eye. Williams, an old-school disciplinarian, was a dramatic change from the laid-back Wade Phillips, the Bills’ previous head coach, and his ways rubbed Cowart the wrong way.’

‘The Bills, however, saw more upside in going young, and chose fifth-round pick Justin Bannan of Colorado and second-year pros Ron Edwards and Tyrone Robertson as their defensive tackles, along with veteran Pat Williams.’

‘Among the other notables to make the team were two undrafted free agents, cornerback Jason Bostic, who proved a heavy hitter in preseason, and running back Joe Burns, who had 49 yards rushing on 15 carries last month.’

‘The Buffalo Bills cut 13 players and placed two others on the reserve-non-football injury list in order to trim their roster to the NFL maximum 53 players by Sunday’s 4 p.m. NFL deadline.’

Noted cuts are multi-year veteran Shawn Price who has spent the offseason rehabitilating an injury and Hichard Huntley who Donahoe recruited from Carolina. The team also announced that WR Reggie Allen (Central Michigan) and QB David Dinkins (Morehead State) have been placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list.

Ahmad Brooks, CB – Texas

Jon Carman, T – Georgia Tech

Michael Early, C – Norfolk State

Jarrett Ferguson, FB – Virginia Tech

Bryce Fisher, DE – Air Force

Corey Hulsey, G – Clemson

Richard Huntley, RB – Winston-Salem State

Muadianvita Kazadi, LB – Tulsa

Brady McDonnell, TE – Colorado

Shawn Price, DT – Pacific

Jimmy Robinson, LB – Western Illinois

Travares Tillman, S – Georgia Tech

Rodney Wright, WR – Fresno State

‘Besides Rogers, the Bills have another breakaway threat on punt returns in cornerback Nate Clements, who returned one 66 yards for a touchdown last year. Clements would love to get more chances to return punts than last year, when he fielded only four.’

‘A week away from opening day against the Jets in Ralph Wilson Stadium, the defense, and the improved special teams under eight-year veteran Danny Smith, may turn out to be Buffalo’s best hope.’

‘The SUV easily is the most popular vehicle among the Bills. On any given day, 50 or so Denalis, Escalades, Lincoln Navigators, Ford Expeditions, Toyota Range Rovers and Jeeps give their parking lot the appearance of a timber sports competition in the Adirondacks.’

‘There is no mistaking the Bills will be better. How could they not be after 3-13? A climb to .500 would be a substantial step, and given the talent upgrades throughout the roster, it is imminently possible.’

‘"I think anything’s possible," says Bledsoe, who looks like a man bent on proving that he still has plenty of good football left in his 30-year-old body. "Teams flip-flop in the standings in a hurry. It seems like every year, somebody new is winning division titles. So why not us this year?"’

‘"Some weeks, some people won’t be as involved, but for the most part, we expect to be (a productive offensive team)," Price said. "We have a lot of weapons, good tight ends, Larry Centers, Travis Henry, Eric Moulds. This list can go on and on. We have a lot of playmakers so hopefully we can spread the ball around."’

‘While Bledsoe’s departure may have divided some Patriots loyalists, it clearly has united the citizens of Bills Nation. The dawn of the Drew Era in western New York has fans stoked as they prep for next Sunday’s National Football League opener against the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The dress rehearsals indicate that Buffalo may have the last laugh; that this won’t be another tragic comedy, a la Rob Johnson.’

‘The Bills will be one of the league’s most improved teams. But let’s not give them too much credit. How about 8-8?’

‘No matter how bad the Bills D turns out be — and it could really be bad — Bledsoe will keep most games close.’