Two Bills Drive

‘He had squeezed 10 years and 22 interceptions out of pro secondaries in Buffalo and Denver. George Saimes’ next move was pretty obvious. An old Canton friend who wound up as head coach of the Bills volunteered a key clue. “If it’s coaching,” Hank Bullough advised, “be prepared to move.”‘

‘Buffalo’s loss may be Hamilton’s gain when Bills’ castoff quarterback Pete Gonzalez makes his way over the border to the Tiger-Cats’ training camp in St. Catharines next month. The Tiger-Cats announced yesterday that Gonzalez, who has seen limited play with three National Football League teams since 1998, will become the fourth quarterback in camp this season.’

‘"I think some of the things with Jay unfortunately got blown out of proportion, " Donahoe said. "I’ve seen his name in various places as a cap casualty but that’s not coming from us. We expect him to be here and we expect him to be an important part of our team." The key word is "expect."’

DE Marcellus Wiley in the second round was their best pick and he left via free agency. No one else remains, including their No. 1, RB Antowain Smith, who never quite cut it with the Bills, and a couple of linemen who were occasional starters but not very effective, Jamie Nails and Marcus Spriggs. Grade … D

To ensure that he has a shot at lasting beyond this season, look for Haslett to suggest Benson consider Buffalo director of football operations Tom Modrak for the GM post. Modrak is a friend of Haslett, and when he was in Philadelphia, recommended the Eagles hire him in 1999, before club officials decided on Andy Reid as the guy. Modrak is a terrific football man and he would bring instant respect to the seemingly directionless Saints.

The Space Coast Bills Backers recently held their 5th Annual Spring Fling Picnic in Kiwanis Park on Merritt Island, Florida. The picnic is held for club members every year, just before the "snow bird" friends return to the Buffalo area for the summer.

Bausch & Lomb and the Bills announced their partnership for 2002 Training Camp yesterday in Rochester, NY.

The Bills announced 2002 Training Camp Dates yesterday.

‘Bausch & Lomb, which markets products in 100 countries, already had a three-year business partnership with the Bills. But being the sponsor of training camp gives the company a chance to enhance its visibility, said Mark M. Sieczkarek, Bausch & Lomb’s senior vice president and president of The Americas Region.’

‘Bausch & Lomb replaces Wegmans Food Markets, Inc., which dissolved its marketing partnership with the Bills earlier this year after its request to scale back and sponsor training camp only was rebuffed by the team. Tops Friendly Markets has since become the club’s official supermarket but its contract didn’t include naming rights to the camp like Wegmans had. That opened the door for Bausch & Lomb.’

‘”It’s an excellent way to bring the message of the importance of eye health to the many young people at the camp and the fans who follow the Bills,” he said.’

‘The third training camp at St. John Fisher begins July 24th when rookies are scheduled to report. The rest of the team will arrive on Friday July 26th. The Bills also be holding a scrimmage with the Cleveland Browns at Fisher August 3rd.’

‘Under the deal, the camp at St. John Fisher will be known as the Buffalo Bills Bausch and Lomb training camp. And they’re adding a unique feature this year. B&L will provide vision screening to kids who attend.’

‘Mark Sieczkarek, Bausch & Lomb Senior V.P., said, “[The partnership] reflects a commitment to our community. We haven’t been as active in the community given the issues that we’ve been facing, and we want to get back out there and be seen and heard certainly by our employees and by the community itself.”‘

‘Buffalo Bills President and General Manager Tom Donahoe said, “Bausch & Lomb is a name brand that is respected around the world. We are privileged to have the opportunity to work together as partners in training camp. In addition to the wonderful things we are planning on the marketing front, the opportunities we have to work within the community are equally exciting.”‘