Two Bills Drive

The winner? In a close call, we’re making it Buffalo over Pittsburgh, once again because the Steelers’ Jerome Bettis must prove he is beyond a 2001 groin injury. Buffalo is actually four-deep at tailback, with Travis Henry, Sammy Morris, Shawn Bryson and Richard Huntley. And that doesn’t even count Curtis Alexander, who had a terrific season in NFL Europe this spring, but probably won’t make the roster. The tailbacks are augmented by venerable fullback Larry Centers, never much more than an adequate blocker, but still one of the NFL’s premier receivers out of the backfield, even at age 34.

Jim Kelly will be introduced by his former head coach Marv Levy. It was an easy choice for the former Buffalo Bills quarterback. Kelly and Levy directed the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls.

TD talked with Mike Shopp about the status of signing the 6 unsigned draftees. No real suprises–expect the lower round draftees to sign this week with the top 3 lagging into the end of the week or early next week. Sounds like the potential for hold-outs is pretty minimal. Because of the rookie cap the sides start a lot closer financially than they did in the pre-cap years. Length of contract and guaranteed money are the negotiating points.

Germany likely to miss the start of camp. Ostroski looks to be ready. Germany’s situation may provide the reason for signing Charles Johnson.

Just one week after Ruben’s Run, the huge, annual motorcycle event that Ruben Brown has created to benefit the Salvation Army, Ruben Brown took his mission to the Salvation Army Youth Programs. On Wednesday, July 3, 190 boys and girls from the Buffalo and Rochester Salvation Army Youth Programs gathered at Ralph Wilson Stadium to experience Ruben Brown’s Youth Football Camp.

The Bills and UPS will host the final two Hit the Books events this Monday, July 15th. The first will be at 2:00 PM at the Richmond Memorial Library located at 19 Ross Street in Batavia and the second will be at 4:00 PM at the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library located at 620 West Avenue in Medina.

The Pro Hall of Fame announced what was known for weeks that Marv Levy, previous year Hall of Fame inductee, will be presenter for Jim Kelly.

‘Telephone purchasers may experience delays and busy signals due to the high volume of calls.’

‘Tickets can be purchased four ways: at the Ralph Wilson Stadium box office, at participating Tops Friendly Markets, via the team’s web site (www.buffalobills.com) or by phone (1-877-228-4257).’

The Bills have a good track record of getting their top pick to camp on time. Last year’s No. 1, CB Nate Clements, was a brief holdout, but it obviously didn’t hinder his performance that much. However, it’s imperative that Williams is in camp from day one. The 6-5, 370-pound OT from the University of Texas is slated to start at right tackle. The Bills could have as many as three new starters (last year’s right tackle Jonas Jennings has moved to center) on the offensive line, so they need the five men up front to get as much work together as possible this summer to develop continuity.

By season’s end, if not before, expect Josh Reed to have most of the playing time as the Bills’ third wideout and building a case to start in 2003.

This once would have been the $64,000 question, though in these inflated days, it’s probably more like the one-billion-dollar question. The answer is simple: no.

Buffalo will choose from three young candidates — second-year veterans Jonas Jennings and Marques Sullivan and former Denver starter Trey Teague — for the right to protect Drew Bledsoe. “It’s a job you want because, the way the game is played now, (the blindside) tackle has almost been raised to skill-position status,” said Teague, who started all 16 games for the Broncos last year. “You’re on the spot every pass play, and there is a lot of pressure that comes with the responsibility, but I think most guys like to prove to themselves and to everyone else that they are up to the task.”

Bill Polian, who constructed the great Buffalo Bills teams that reached four consecutive Super Bowls from 1990-93, said he believes that kind of sustained excellence is no longer possible.

‘And then, of course, there were the Buffalo Bills.’