Two Bills Drive

‘Drew Bledsoe doesn’t make the Bills an instant Super Bowl contender. But he does accelerate the rebuilding effort by warp speed, by turning what was a glaring weakness into a positive. He also gives the Bills the legitimate “star” they’ve been missing that helps sell tickets.’

WIVB will become the new preseason television partner of the Buffalo Bills and will also air “The Gregg Williams Show” Sundays at 11:30 AM.

‘"We’re very fortunate right now when you look at our personnel department and what we’ve assembled here," he said. "It’s as good as it gets."’

‘"I’m excited about the start, but we have a long ways to go," said Williams. "Today was a day where lots of things started jumbling together for some of the young guys."’

‘Is Bledsoe really worth a first-round draft pick next year? To the Bills he is worth more than that, as the spike in season ticket sales indicates.’

‘"He just has a great feel for the game. He’s a projection in our defense to play safety but he played it (free and strong) pretty well at the Senior Bowl. The bottom line is that Coy Wire is a football player."’

The three-day orientation camp for rookies and first-year players concluded on Sunday morning with a two-hour workout in the field house. Overall, head coach Gregg Williams was pleased with what the young players showed on the field but he was quick to reiterate that they have a lot of work to do.

The Buffalo News spoke with several football experts…Here is some of what they had to say…’

‘One of Grant Irons’ heroes never scored a touchdown or made a tackle in the NFL. But he is a superstar in another profession. Perhaps you’ve heard of investment wizard Warren Buffett.’

‘One of the hallmarks of a successful coach is a streak of ruthlessness. Gregg Williams was plenty tough with his players a year ago, but one coaching change on a staff of 15 assistants does not qualify as ruthless.’

‘The Bills still probably will be picked to finish last by most NFL followers in what is the league’s toughest division. But it’s a lot closer call because Drew Bledsoe gives the Bills the best quarterbacking in the division.’

‘"I guess once the football’s in my hands, I have that running back’s mentality," he said. "A lot of receivers have the mind-set that the play’s pretty much over once they catch the ball. My mind-set is that the play is just beginning. A catch for me is like a hand-off. It’s like the quarterback has put the ball in your hands, now let’s see what you can do with it."’

‘Playing in the AFC East — a division without a dominant team — boosts Buffalo’s hopes of winning the division or winning enough division games to help earn a wild-card berth.’

‘Tom Donahoe, general manager/president of the Bills, was the one man in the league who wanted Bledsoe. This is the same man who two years ago was 24 hours away from being the football boss of the Patriots, before Belichick got the job.’

‘The Pats didn’t say Bledsoe was finished. Nor has Bledsoe, despite his disappointment, said anything bad about his former team. But actions speak louder than words, and the action should be furious when Bledsoe and Buffalo take on Brady and the Patriots come fall.’