Two Bills Drive

Of course McKay has Rob Johnson and is probably in favor of any rule that would help protect his new QB from fumbling during the 57 times he’s scheduled to get sacked next season – that is if Johnson starts.

His agent, Bob Lattinville, who also represents Jerry Ostroski confirmed it is for the league minimum. Even though Kazadi is a vested player in the league, he comes in at the second year salary level so he will make $300,000 this season and $375,000 next season.

Bills looking to tackle draft: While the Bills retain moderate interest in Riley and Denver unrestricted free agent tackle Trey Teague, look for Buffalo to use its first-round pick in next month’s draft on either Mike Williams of Texas of Miami’s Bryant McKinnie, the two highly-regarded tackle prospects in this year’s lottery. GM Tom Donahoe personally scouted the campus workouts of both players and, on Wednesday, he and coach Gregg Williams spent extra time with Williams. A right tackle for the Longhorns, there is some question as to whether Williams can switch to the left side in the NFL, and the Bills made him do several drills with a left-handed stance. Buffalo would prefer to rid itself of 10-year veteran LT John Fina after June 1, when the impact of releasing him would be somewhat ameliorated on their salary cap. They could move second-year right tackle Jonas Jennings to the left side or draft one of this year’s two top prospects. What they almost certainly will not do, despite rumors to the contrary, is use the fourth overall choice in the draft on Oregon QB Joey Harrington.

There is much speculation that Donahoe wants to trade down in the first round and acquire more picks, which he did last year. But his reputation as someone who always trades is unwarranted, Donahoe said.

“If it makes sense to sit there and take the pick, that’s what we’ll do,” he said, adding that his philosophy is to be open-minded and ready to audible if a wise trade offer surfaces.

As draft day nears, Buffalo continues to explore ways to upgrade its line through free agency, a tact that could change its draft-day game plan.

"Denver’s still in the mix but right now, I’m just trying to see what’s out there, maybe something that could be a good opportunity," Teague said. "I have a good feeling (about the Bills)."

Chris Mortensen: I bet Davis would love to get a shot at his Miami OT McKinnie but I’m not sure he would want to pay the price. I’m not ruling it out because I think the Bills (picking 4th) would be receptive to deal with the Browns (16th).

‘Van Pelt’s pick: Russell Crowe.’

‘The Redskins continued to wait yesterday for a resolution to their negotiations with free agent quarterback Jeff Blake. The Redskins seemed resigned to losing Blake when they were unable to complete a deal with him on Wednesday, but their hopes were boosted a bit when he did not immediately sign with the Buffalo Bills yesterday.’

@ One more item they looked into and didn’t act on. Of course, it came a result of a play involving Buffalo. Remember when David Patten fumbled after making a catch – the ball is in-bounds while his head was out of bounds but the leg was touching the ball. New England retained possession. Is it to tough to say, “If a ball is loose in bounds – it’s a free ball.”

@ If the Buffalo Bills don’t sign free-agent Jeff Blake and don’t draft Joey Harrington, they think they can win with Alex Van Pelt. Honest. If the team doesn’t sign a QG, look for it to draft one next month. That doesn’t mean it’ll be one who’s going to play; Williams and GM Tom Donahoe like what they have in third-stringer Travis Brown.

@ Wasn’t it just a decade ago that we were treated to the wonderful passing wizardry of John Elway, Steve Young and Jim Kelly?

Now we have players like Jay Fiedler and Jim Miller getting lucrative multiyear contracts. Those are two players who spent time in the last five years knocking on doors just to have a job.

The major problem is a lack of aggression on the offensive side of the ball. "I think a lot of us are defensive-minded coaches, which is why maybe there isn’t as much aggression," Bills coach Gregg Williams said.

‘Kelly, a native of East Brady, came to town with his wife, Jill, yesterday to speak at the Engineering Tissue Growth International Conference and Exposition at the Westin Convention Center Hotel. He explained what they go through with their son and the goals of their foundation, Hunter’s Hope.’

‘Van Pelt’s pick: Halle Berry.’

‘Yesterday, conference organizers used the event to put the spotlight on Krabbe disease, a rare, degenerative disorder of the central and peripheral nervous system. There is no cure for the disease and research at the University of Pittsburgh caught the attention of East Brady native and former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, whose 5-year-old son, Hunter, has the disease.’

The Washington Redskins were growing increasingly pessimistic yesterday about their chances of signing free agent quarterback Jeff Blake.