Two Bills Drive

The Bills took big, tough players who are ready to contribute. They are a much better team today than they were before the draft. You can second-guess the Bills for taking Mike Williams instead of Bryant McKinnie, who is more of a natural left tackle. Pick by pick, this was as strong of a draft as any team had. The Bills should get at least four solid starters. Grade: A+

Published reports have the Bills signing undrafted free agent quarterback, David Priestley out of Pitt. The Pittsburgh Tribune Review quoted Priestly as saying, "I was told I’ll have a chance to fight for the number three spot and I believe that I’ll have every opportunity to get it." The Bills are also said to have signed Notre Dame defensive end Grant Irons and Louisville long snapper Chip Mattingly.

‘"I don’t look forward to competing against him," said Belichick. "But you have to do what is best for your football team."’

‘But unlike the pouting, petulant Doug Flutie who tore the Bills’ lockerroom apart complaining about playing behind Johnson, Bledsoe reacted with class and dignity. He kept his mouth shut and dutifully mentored the quarterback who took his job.’

‘"I could not be more enthusiastic about jumping into the next phase of my career, and contributing to the success of the Buffalo Bills."’

A great draft recap by Chris Brown of WGR 55.

Williams teams up with free-agent signing Trey Teague at left tackle to give the Bills the best tackle tandems in the league. They’ll run the ball better and the protection will be better, and the Bills, with 11 picks in this draft, are on their way to a recovery in 2002.

I'm excited like everybody else. I think all of Western New York is excited. Especially the players and myself because we have a great quality quarterback.

– Eric Moulds

“I am very excited to join the Buffalo Bills, a team I have come to deeply respect over the past decade. I apologize for not being available to media and fans on Sunday but my little boy was in the hospital and my wife, Maura, and I were attending to him.

‘Pitt quarterback David Priestley was not selected in the NFL Draft, but was signed as a free agent immediately after. Priestley joined the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night. He’ll attend mini-camp next week to battle for the No. 3 quarterback spot with two-year veteran Travis Brown.’

‘"Buffalo’s getting a good player," Belichick said. "Buffalo is paying a significant price, and they are getting a significant player."’

‘…so this franchise quarterback finds himself gone with the Buffalo wind. And it’s no cool, refreshing breeze, either, but a harsh, cold one that tells us some decisions are left to the cruelty of fate and the whim of sport.’

‘Coach Bill Belichick of the Patriots said, “We all knew what the situation was. A football team can have only one starting quarterback. In the end, it can be only one guy. When you put it all together, this is probably best.”‘

‘"We at first approached Mr. Kraft at the owners meeting (in mid-March),” said Bills general manager Tom Donahoe. "We just took a shot at it. We didn’t know how he would react to it. We had some hesitation whether they would be reluctant to trade within the division, Mr. Kraft said it wasn’t (a problem) if it was the right deal."’

The Buffalo Bills would like to congratulate Chad Smith of North American Health Plans as the winner of the buffalobills.com "Meet The Draft Picks" promotion.