Two Bills Drive

‘Blake first met Gilbride as a freshman in college at East Carolina, where Gilbride served as offensive coordinator.’

‘"It looks like a young team in some spots," Gilbride said, "but a team that has a chance to be competitive if we can just get a few more pieces put together and do a good job coaching them."’

‘The team said no change has been decided upon, but that paperwork has been filed with the NFL office.’

‘"It’s got everything I’m looking for," Blake said. That would be good receivers to throw to (Eric Moulds, Peerless Price), a coach he’s played for and respects (offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride), friends on the team and a nice community to raise his family.’

‘”My meetings [with the Bills] have gone very well. It’s refreshing that there are coaches who are different than Tom [Coughlin].”‘

‘But there are two issues with Blake. First is whether Spurrier believes the quarterback can fit into his offense. Second, whether the Redskins are willing to meet Blake’s contract demands. Blake would be more expensive than Matthews, who is scheduled to earn $750,000 this season.’

‘Williams doesn’t have to deliver a winning season to the rebuilding Bills, but he does have to show real improvement to avoid the hot seat. Another 3-13 level debacle and he might not be asked back for the third and final year of his contract.’

Jeff Blake’s right foot is the biggest question mark holding up a deal with the Bills. If Buffalo signs him, it will be facing a similar situation that it faced with Sam Cowart: the team will have to calculate the risk of buying a player’s services against the possibility that this player might never return to the form he once had before a debilitating injury.

‘"They have the weapons, the running game, the offensive line is coming along and definitely with (defensive coordinator) Jerry Gray bringing in the players he wants, they’ll have a good defense," Blake said of the Bills.’

The Bills have been busy entertaining free agents during the past two weeks as 10 different players have visited Buffalo.

Classic Rock – I can’t pick only one song. I like 100’s of them.

I was already leaning favorably to coming here. I like the coach, the organization and the direction that they are trying to go. I wanted to be a part of it.

The Buffalo Bills continue to consider the possibility of a modification to its uniform for the upcoming 2002 season.

‘The team said no change has been decided upon, and it’s not certain any change will be made. The Bills have filed certain paperwork with the NFL office that is required by teams exploring the possibility of any uniform change.’

‘Debating Williams vs. McKinnie easily could fill this space, but what’s the sense? There’s no guarantee the Bills will use the pick on an offensive tackle, not after Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington lit it up in the Fiesta Bowl and worked out to rave reviews at the combine.’