Two Bills Drive

Further proof of the decline of western civilization: At Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., fans began parking RVs and campers in stadium lots to start tailgate parties two days before a preseason game.

The coaching staff seemed particularly rough on the defensive line, and a brief look at the one-on-one pass-protection drill showed why. Tyrone Robertson, expected to start, couldn’t get by Tom Schau, who quite likely won’t make the team (unless even more offensive linemen are injured). The only defender who clearly won one on one was James Cotton, who ran around left tackle Kris Farris. Pat Williams redeemed himself after Corey Hulsey pushed him down on their first attempt, and Justin Bannan had the upper hand in a do-over with Marques Sullivan

‘”You’d love to have all those guys out there all of the time,” Bledsoe said Tuesday, following the Bills training camp session in suburban Rochester. “But that’s just not the way it works. Part of being a successful team is that you have to be able to compensate for those things.”‘

While Ostroski was surprised to hear the news, Bills GM Tom Donahoe denied a published report that the team has asked the veteran lineman to take a pay cut. Donahoe said he’s had no discussions of that nature with Ostroski or his agent.

Not only does he have one of the better one-two wide receiver punches with Eric Moulds and Peerless Price, but a spectacular rookie in Josh Reed, college football’s top receiver last year. Kevin Gilbride, the new OC, is using Larry Centers, the NFL’s all-time pass-catching back, downfield instead of exclusively a dink-and-dunk catcher. Bledsoe’s proven skill of hooking up with tight ends is double now with Jay Riemersma and Dave Moore.

Coach Williams has made it clear that Trey Teague will not shift to tackle from the center position. It is unclear whether or not Jennings or Price will be available for Friday’s preseason matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

Flies like a missile, that is. In last Friday\’s preseason contest against the Cincinnati Bengals– the first professional game Wire ever attended– he led the team with nine tackles. Keep in mind that Wire played only part of the game, and he did it at a completely new position– strong safety.

Wednesday, August 14 – Quarterback Drew Bledsoe will be taping a segment in the morning for the Jim Rome Radio Show.

‘Expected to be a major special teams contributor this season, Spoon was pegged to back up newly acquired veteran London Fletcher at middle linebacker.’

Buffalo offensive lineman Jerry Ostroski has lost his starting position and now could lose $1 million. Word is that the Bills have apprised Ostroski he needs to reduce his 2002 base salary from $1.75 million to $750,000 to ensure himself a roster spot. It looks like Ostroski will take the pay cut.

Ostroski has reported denied this report.

The Bills today announced that the team has placed linebacker Brandon Spoon on the Injured Reserve list.

‘"Jay is your starter right now and he gives you a guy who can press it up the field better than most tight ends can do," he said. "He’s a blocker who is getting better and needs to continue to improve at the point of attack. In Dave Moore you have a good all-around tight end, a solid blocker who can run routes well. He gives you versatility. He can come back into the backfield. He doesn’t have quite the up-the-field ability as Jay."’

‘Buffalo Bills guard Ruben Brown was honored for his extensive charity work, and defensive tackle Pat Williams did a good deed for his high school alma mater.’

‘"I hate all this attention, I hate being in training rooms and being with Rusty every day. I just want to play," Ostroski said Monday after another long day of rehabbing his surgically repaired knee with Jones and watching his teammates go through a pair of steamy practices. "It was never about all this stuff before, it was about showing up every day at work, doing your job and going home. Hopefully I can get back to that."’

‘With the departures of players such as Smith, Ted Washington and Phil Hansen, there is an alarming absence of star power on the Bills’ defensive line. The team is desperate for someone to emerge and would be disappointed if it wasn’t Schobel.’

‘Though it’s not very likely he will lead the team in receptions again, Centers is relieved to see new coordinator Kevin Gilbride knows who he is. "It’s always good to be involved," Centers said.’