Two Bills Drive

‘In between working as a substitute school teacher, selling cars, and running his own sportswear embroidery business, Shayne Graham has managed to keep alive his dream of becoming a National Football League place-kicker.’

‘Of the NFL’s three teams with fewer than two victories, the Bills have by far the best combined ranking in total offense and total defense.’

‘League rules dictate that the Texans must spend 38 percent (approximately $30 million) of their salary cap money on the expansion draft, but general manager Charley Casserly reportedly won’t be selecting a high-priced, sack-prone veteran quarterback (i.e. Johnson, or Chris Chandler if they were made available) because he knows they’d be sitting ducks behind a porous offensive line.’

‘Christie, cut by Buffalo in early October because of a groin injury, will handle field goal attempts and PATs, while struggling Wade Richey will do kickoffs and maybe long field goal attempts.’

‘Terms were not disclosed, but ESPN reported the deal to be at one year for $477,000.’

‘"I’m real pleased that Alex has given us a chance offensively right now to be in these ballgames," Williams said. "He’s given us some life."’

‘To make ends meet, Shayne Graham spent the past two years working odd jobs — including a stint as a substitute teacher — while pursuing his dream to become an NFL kicker.’

"This really has been an impressive second-round group," said Buffalo general manager Tom Donahoe who, in addition to Henry, got suddenly emerging defensive end Aaron Schobel in the second round. "That round is producing a lot of good players."

Yes, we have looked at the Bills’ record, so don’t suggest that we ought to be fitted for a straitjacket. Eleven of the 12 choices are still on the active roster or injured reserve and this group, which is starting to produce modest results, will represent the foundation for the future. The top three choices have combined for 14 starts and corner Nate Clements is going to be a "shut down" defender. Buffalo is taking its lumps now, for sure, but the Class of ’01 will contribute to improved play over the final 1 ½ months of this season. The Bills got quality and quantity.

Someday, maybe five or 10 years from now, Gregg Williams will be sitting down and reminiscing about the darkest days of his coaching career and the game that topped ’em all, Miami, when he lost it on a blown extra point and a fumbled kickoff. What I will say to him today is, “Get em all out of your system right now, so there won’t be any left over for next season.”

Former Buffalo kicker Steve Christie arrived in town yesterday and passed a physical. Christie is to kick at the Chargers’ practice facility this morning and, assuming all goes well, will be signed to a contract and will kick in Sunday’s game at Seattle.

‘If the Chargers like what they see from the 34-year-old Christie, they are expected to sign him to compete with beleaguered kicker Wade Richey, whose field-goal misses from 25 and 27 yards cost the Chargers dearly in their 20-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.’

On if the team’s quarterback solution last off-season should have been him:

"That’s for you guys and the fans. I’m just trying to get ready and give us the best chance to win. I could care less about that, I could care less what people think about Rob and myself, none of that matters to me right now, it would be keeping the guys going and getting us a win."

The emergence of rookie RB Travis Henry has resulted in diminished roles for Shawn Bryson and Sammy Morris, the team’s top two RBs last year. Henry leads the team with 565 yards in 168 carries; Morris and Bryson have only 73 rushing yards in 17 carries between them. Still, the team values Bryson and Morris because of their versatility. Both are good runners and receivers, and they are key members of the special teams. The Bills have been trying to incorporate them into the offense more in recent weeks. …

For all the talk about QB Johnson’s future, the next several weeks will be an audition for his backup, Alex Van Pelt. Van Pelt will be a free agent after this season, and a strong finish would increase his bargaining power for a new deal. Even if the team decides to keep Johnson beyond this year, it would like to have Van Pelt back. He knows the WCO, and his teammates believe in him. …

From Chris Mortensen:

For the Bills, how’s this for a stat: Alex Van Pelt has now thrown $90,000 worth of TD passes, thanks to injuries suffered by RJ this season. Van Pelt has an incentive clause in his contract that pays him $10,000 per TD pass (he has now thrown nine). Yes, I think if Van Pelt keeps this up, he just might be the Bills’ QBfor a while. Maybe a longer while than I ever believed.