Two Bills Drive

Comments on 1999 CNN/SI.com Q&A with Tom Donahoe and how it applies to the Bills of 2002.

Despite what most fans think, the Patriots have done nothing to weaken their team after their Super Bowl championship season. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills are not going to be Super Bowl contenders this year.

‘But from the letters and e-mails I received after last season’s suggestion that Miller have a triumphant farewell tour, replacing him now wouldn’t lead to much of a backlash, if any at all.’

The one thing that is for certain come training camp time in the end of July is that the battle for a roster position in the Bills' backfield will be fierce. With five running backs and three fullbacks listed on Buffalo's current roster…

The Eagles have been hitting the free-agent market hard in hopes of finding a running back who can fill the void left by Buckhalter’s season ending knee injury. Levens is currently being courted by coach Andy Reid, and so is Shawn Bryson.

The spring is for new hope, but many times it is unwarranted. What might look good in April won’t look good in September.

1. The Bills insist they have their franchise passer in Drew Bledsoe, but is he the same passer?

2. Can the running game work with a committee approach or does one of the three — Travis Henry, Shawn Bryson and Sammy Morris — have to take over the primary duties?

3. Who will provide the outside pass rush that is so necessary to the Gregg Williams defense?

OC Kevin Gilbride has his whole background in the run ‘n shoot, which is pretty far removed from Bledsoe’s dropback style. Either Bledsoe is an old dog who has to learn new tricks (not likely) or Gilbride has to cut back on his tendencies and tailor his attack more to Bledsoe’s talents, which makes greater sense. They’ve certainly got the people for it, namely Eric Moulds, one of the game’s finest long-ball receivers, and TE Jay Riemersma, who’s very effective coming down the seam. What they’ve got to do is put together a line that can hold its blocks longer, which is why they took the big tackle in the first round.

Visit buffalobills.com on Sunday, May 5, at 10 a.m. EST to watch a LIVE webcast of the NFL Europe game between the Frankfurt Galaxy and the Scotland Claymores.

‘"You can see a bright guy, a guy who steps easily into the role of being a leader. It’s exciting. There’s a long ways to go and thank goodness we have all the time in world to work with him. But having said that, it’s nice to be working with a guy with the tools he has."’

‘Reports from Tampa Bay’s mini-camps indicate Johnson is the same old Johnson, holding the ball too long, taking sacks, throwing lots of interceptions.’

“Adams joined the NFL in 1985 as a scout for the San Diego Chargers before joining the Buffalo Bills in 1991, where he served as director of player personnel for seven years. Named vice president of player personnel in 2000, Adams remains a key component in the team’s draft success. During his tenure, the Buffalo Bills have played in three Super Bowls. He is renowned in the NFL as a top talent evaluator and is often asked to present NFL Draft diagnosis to local radio and television stations in Buffalo.”

Visit buffalobills.com to hear a live audio broadcast of a conference call between the media and running back CURTIS ALEXANDER on Friday. May 3, beginning at 1:30 PM EST.

Speculation by John Clayton. Not many DT’s will be available with June 1 cuts for teams with a need for those players including Bills, Jets, & Redskins.

LT John Fina, (2002 Cap savings: $3 million, 2003 Cap hit: $5,693,526)

TE Jay Riemersma (2002 Cap savings: $2.525 million, 2003 Cap hit: $1,372,000)

Eric Moulds will get similiar attention for the Bills as Drew Bledsoe will click with his first true downfield go-to guy since Terry Glenn had his heyday in New England. . . .

‘TNT recently sent along a release saying that the film [“Second String”], which stars Jon Voight as the Bills coach and Gil Bellows as the second string quarterback who leads the team to a Super Bowl victory, won’t air until August 2003.’