Two Bills Drive

‘But the ’01 rookie class is going to be especially important in 2002. Marv Levy liked to say that the best rookies are last year’s rookies. In other words, the players going into their second seasons represent a team’s best chance for new impact players.’

‘The lads at Ralph Wilson Stadium finally seemed to reach the level people expected of them a year ago. The quarterback controversy has ended, but there are questions about Williams’ ability to run an entire program. He’s a very good defensive coordinator, but so was Rod Rust.’

‘"He’s excellent at what he does," said Donahoe. "I know him, I trust him. We had a great situation in Pittsburgh and we could build a better situation here in Buffalo."’

‘Buffalo Bills President and General Manager Tom Donahoe has offered a job to his friend and highly respected former colleague, Tom Modrak.’

‘Regarded as an unbiased source by Chargers president Dean Spanos, Johnson told Spanos over the course of a half-dozen phone conversations and two meetings in the Florida Keys that the team needed to get the best possible general manager while retaining coach Mike Riley. [Unbiased? With his star pupil coaching the team he used to coach and Butler GM of their chief rival? Sounds like JJ & Butler talked to each other.]

"It wasn’t a league that developed players or tried to make its own stars," Donahoe said. "It was a league comprised of players who, for whatever reason, just weren’t good enough to make it in the NFL. We didn’t scout (the XFL) and I doubt you’ll see even one of their players in our camp."

‘In a twist, Modrak could have some options, with Buffalo Bills general manager Tom Donahoe telling SportsLine.com on Friday he has offered his old colleague a job. The two men worked together in Pittsburgh…’.

‘Aspiring to play for the Buffalo Bills? Here’s some stuff you’ll need to know…’

‘Very interesting comments from coach!’

‘Any fallout from the release of Flutie has been negligible, he said…Donahoe said several fans he spoke with threatened to cancel their season tickets because of the Flutie decision but to date, “nobody’s presented a number to me (of actual cancellations).”‘

‘This season, the Bills are rolling the dice with offensive tackle Kris Farris, a 6-foot-8, 322-pound man mountain of unfulfilled potential. An intriguing player whose future rests tenuously on a surgically repaired bone in his foot.’

Join readers of TBD and fans from around the country as the Bills meet the Chragers on October 28. TBD readers have the choice of two options – sitting with the large group of San Diego Bills Backers or sitting with a smaller group closer to the field. Visit the link above for more information.

TBD will be getting together on September 9th (opening day) for our Annual Tailgate Party! Time is running short to get your tickets in our section – ticket money needs to be by Monday morning – so don’t delay! Read the details at the link above and then visit the tailgate party message board to get the latest updates.

‘Hopefully Centers can live up to Williams’ glowing praise!’

‘The Bills’ acquisition of veteran fullback Larry Centers should aid that cause. Centers, who agreed to free-agent contract terms with the team Tuesday, figures to add a dimension to the Bills’ offense that was too often absent last year – the dump-off pass to the back in the flat.’