Two Bills Drive

‘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.

‘Keion Carpenter, who started 10 games at the free spot, and Raion Hill, a 13-game starter at strong safety, have both been waived, with Atlanta signing the former. That says all you need to know.’

@ Alex Van Pelt didn’t get most of the pay, but got most of the playing time in Buffalo last season. The league announced it will reward players for playing-time incentives. For the first time, minimum-salaried players will have the chance to take the biggest chunk of the money.

The idea is that if a player participates in the majority of his team’s plays, yet makes a minimum or low salary, he should be entitled to more compensation. Say a minimum-salary player beats out a high-priced veteran, then that player would be paid a certain amount of incentive money from a money pool for each team.

@ “I’m as much in favor of helping those two cities [New York City and Washington] as anyone here,” said Buffalo owner Ralph Wilson. “But if you’re going to New York, then I can make a case for Buffalo, too. Someone is going to have to be pretty persuasive to get me to commit to this.”

How have you been spending your time this off-season?

I've been relaxing, spending time with my family, working out and we just closed on a new house as well. I'm getting mind to rest while I'm away.

@ Tom Donahoe, the Buffalo general manager, reiterated Tuesday the Bills are intrigued by Bledsoe, and said there have been discussions with New England officials. But he emphasized that the Patriots did not set a price on what it would take to get Bledsoe, said he did not know if New England would deal him within the division, and noted that he will not overpay to land the veteran QB. Donahoe hinted the Bills might be willing to part with a third-round draft choice for Bledsoe, but not much more than that.

‘The uncertain starting positions are: quarterback, left tackle, one of the two defensive tackles, one of the two defensive ends, weak-side linebacker, free safety and strong safety.’

‘The Bills apparently were offering Blake a starting job. Redskins Coach Steve Spurrier has said he won’t name his starter ahead of time and will play the quarterback who earns the job. But the Redskins hoped the lure of playing in Spurrier’s high-powered passing offense would sway Blake.’

‘Van Pelt’s pick: Jon Voight. "Don’t think I’m making this selection because I’m an athlete and this is a sports movie. I think it’s tough to play [Howard] Cosell because he’s so familiar. Russell Crowe did a great job as Dr. John Nash in "A Beautiful Mind," but who really knows what Nash is like?"’

@ On behalf of the Bills organization, Jerry will be accepting the Jeff Stoltzenburg Award, which is presented annually for service and contributions to the National Kidney Foundation. Jerry is also serving as the honorary chairperson of the ?2002 Gift of Life Walk,? which will take place on Sunday, May 19 at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

This time of the year every one is an expert and everyone is a critic. It seems no matter where you go someone has an opinion on whom a team needs to draft.

‘If the Bills don’t sign Blake, they would have to pay a large price in the Bledsoe bidding. New England is believed to be seeking two first-round draft choices for him. Even if they dropped the demand to one first-rounder, the price likely would be too steep for the Bills.’

‘"Most of his time is dedicated to his family," said Ann Brooker, marketing manager at Kelly Enterprises. "He spends most of his time with his family at home." Kelly turned over his business, Kelly Enterprises, to his brother Dan. The marketing business was taking too much time from the business of fatherhood. Kelly and his wife, Jill, have three children, ages 2, 5 and 7. It is the 5-year-old who occupies most of dad’s thoughts and time. "I just hope and pray Hunter is there in August," Kelly said.’