Two Bills Drive

‘The Buffalo Bills, still searching for a kick returner, signed free agent wide receiver Reggie Allen on Wednesday. Allen spent this past year with the Buffalo Destroyers of the Arena Football League, where he set a franchise record with 208 yards on returns in one game. This is Allen’s second stint with the Bills after he was cut prior to the start of the 1999 season.’

‘Almost from the time Rob Johnson arrived in Buffalo, he has been fighting an unflattering image that he is nothing more than a California pretty boy masquerading as a quarterback. And, in his mind, a recent article in Sports Illustrated has done nothing to help that image.’

‘"Since our relaunch . . . the Bills have made a statement that they believe in the Internet. They have committed to it 100 percent," she said. "Without the cooperation of upper management – our head coach, our president and general manager, even (owner) Ralph Wilson does chats and Q&A sessions – without their cooperation nothing will work."’

‘This is the second time the 6-foot-2, 270-pound Bowens has been traded in his two-year career. He was a fifth-round draft pick in 1999 out of Western Illinois University by Denver, where he played eight games as a rookie. He was traded to the Packers last year, played 11 games and recorded 48 tackles and four sacks in 14 games.’

‘”I always felt in Buffalo that when I performed well, it created more problems, which was amazing to me,” Flutie said yesterday. “The better I played, the more problems it caused.”‘

‘"The defense that we’re trying to put together, there’s always a need for guys who can get up the field, and we feel David Bowens has that kind of ability."’

‘Sherman said trading Bowens, 24, was a difficult decision, but one he had to make. "He’s well-liked by the players and the coaches," Sherman said, "but we have an immediate need at tight end."’

‘"He’s just not quite big enough to play every snap but Buffalo is using Tennessee’s system and they can get by with a little lighter guys," Hatley said. "I think David will do a nice job for them. He’s got pass rush, a good motor and for a big guy he can play on special teams, which is hard to find."’

‘"They made me do some stupid stuff," he said. "It’s kind of like they suggest something that’s really bad, like sitting in my bed. And then they get me to sit in the hot tub, so that’s not as bad as sitting in my bed."’

‘"They called us first," said Donahoe. "They’ve had some problems with the health of their tight ends so they came to Edinboro to watch the scrimmage and we had some conversations with them after the scrimmage."’

‘Now you know why the Buffalo Bills have placed a priority on keeping Rob Johnson healthy. If Johnson is hurt again, the team could be in very serious trouble, because their quarterback depth chart isn’t very deep.’

‘"This is my 12th year in the NFL, I don’t need to be kicking off if I don’t have to. These guys are 10 years younger, so they should be able to kick off and I’m all for that."’

The Bills today announced a special "Back-to-School" promotion for the team’s August 18th preseason game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

All kids 14-and-under can purchase tickets for only $8 while Bills season-ticket holders have the opportunity to purchase them for $6. Also, the first 10,000 kids through the door will receive an official Bills Back Pack. All fans will be treated to a post-game Fireworks Show.

Players scheduled for the Autograph Tent: Larry Centers, Shawn Bryson, Phillip Crosby (after AM session); Rob Johnson, Pete Gonzalez, Jack Hawley (PM session).

‘Packers coach Mike Sherman didn’t want to part with Bowens, who was acquired in a trade with Denver last season, but he said he had no choice.’