Two Bills Drive

‘"One of the things that really impressed the selection committee about Russ was what he’s been able to accomplish in a small market with a struggling economy," said Tom Stinson, the Journal’s assistant managing editor. "We also look for young people who are influencing the business they are in, and Russ clearly is doing that. (NFL commissioner) Paul Tagliabue said that the Bills training camp is a model for the rest of the league, and has called upon Russ to stage sponsorship seminars at the league meetings. We see Russ as one of the creative young minds who is shaping the future of the sports industry."’

‘The Patriots, 4-4 at the midpoint of the 2001 campaign, are 4-0 in games in which Antowain Smith has run the ball 15 or more times and 0-4 when he has not.’

‘Despite seeing his playing time slashed last season and then being cut in May, Smith said he holds no grudges against Buffalo, partly because the Bills have a new coaching staff. Still, he’s been struck by the 180-degree difference in attitude the Pats have demonstrated, believing in him as the primary running back after the Bills obviously thought he was unable to fill that role anymore.’

‘Brandon, responsible for Bills business development and marketing, was among 40 executives 40-years-old and younger noted by Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal in a list released Tuesday.’

Tennessee also suffered the most painful coaching losses of any NFL team. Tastefully named DC Gregg Williams and his assistant Jerry Gray left to become HC and DC at Buffalo. They’re struggling with the Bills’ cap-imploded roster, but nevertheless are top-shelf types whom the Titans dearly miss. You don’t drop from first to 27th based on a couple player changes alone.

Professor John Kessel (aka Dr. K) of NC State University protested TMQ’s making fun of the "Becoming Human" conference of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science. Kessel was a speaker at the conference and, presumably, is human. Kessel offered as evidence of his humanity the fact that he is a "lifetime Buffalo Bills fan," which means he knows human suffering. TMQ is a Bills fan, too, and died a thousand deaths during the Super Bowl loss streak.

‘Coach Gregg Williams said starting tackles John Fina and Jonas Jennings will return to practice when the Bills begin preparations for Sunday’s game at New England. Fina was given the week off to rest his sore knee, while Jennings has been sidelined for two weeks with a sprained foot. The Bills’ medical staff also has cleared guard Jerry Ostroski to practice more extensively this week.’

‘"Ooooh, no," Rex said. "This is what it’s all about now, man. Today, the Bills moved one step closer to picking second in the next draft. Do you know what that could mean? Look at this guy." He shoved a Kiper article in my face about Bryant McKinnie, the 6-8, 335-pound left tackle at Miami (Fla.). It said McKinnie was the second-best prospect in the country, after Julius Peppers, the defensive end at North Carolina. And his stock is still rising.’

‘As Kelly stared at his bobbleheaded likeness, he couldn’t help but poke fun at himself. "It made me look a lot better than I am," he said. "That’s pretty cool."’

DON’T GET ME STARTED asks the question that needs to be asked. "Why did the Bills draft running back Travis Henry?"

The Bills coaching staff doesn’t hesitate to use rookies at the tackle position (after failing to address a big need on the offensive line) but for whatever reason, Mike Sheppard and Gregg Williams ignore the running game.

‘"It was probably the most disruptive game we’ve had internally this year," Orchard Park Police Chief Samuel M. McCune said Monday. "The fans were a little more rowdy than usual."’

In just a year talking about Johnson or Flutie and Biron or Hasek, Schopp (WNSA-FM) has developed into the most thoughtful, logical, entertaining and, yes, interesting sports talk host on the air. The 1989 graduate of Grand Island High School already has attracted the attention of stations in bigger markets, as well as ESPN Radio.

Several Bills players will spend Tuesday involved in different community activities. They include the following:

MEADOW BROOK DAIRY ESSAY CONTEST

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

MAKE-A-WISH SHOOT

ZWEIGLE’S JUNIOR PRESS CONFERENCE

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

PENFIELD WEGMANS APPEARANCE

NOTE:Empire mistakenly reported that everyone coming to the Seattle game would get a bobblehead. That is not true.

In a press conference today, the Bills presented Kelly with the first of the commemorative bobble head dolls that were produced for the occasion. All fans who purchase Bills-Seahawks tickets at Wegmans stores will received the limited edition Jim Kelly bobble head.

‘"I look at it that they drafted me and gave me an opportunity when I first came into the league, but it just didn’t work out for me there. So I’ve moved on and came here and hope to establish myself and keep playing well. There’s no grudge. It was just the old coaching staff, mainly the old offensive coordinator. We didn’t see eye to eye. In his eyes, I guess I wasn’t his type of back. But I’m happy here."’

‘- In general, Antowain Smith has nothing against the Buffalo Bills.’