Two Bills Drive

‘Here is what one pro personnel director, speaking on condition of anonymity, said about Bledsoe: "He’s just one of those guys that looked like he went as far as he could go with New England. There was something about Brady that sparked that team, and Bledsoe didn’t have it. He is the classic drop-back quarterback and he has good vision. There is no question he has some years left, but his best years are behind him."’

‘"Early last season he was struggling, but so was their entire offense," Donahoe, a former Steelers director of operations, said yesterday. "They went back to running more conventional things that they had done in the past. I thought he really stepped up and made a lot of plays. He’s smart. We like his arm, and we like his ability to run an offense."’

‘Mattingly, a former All-State linebacker from St. Xavier High School, signed as a long snapper with Buffalo. He said the Bills told him there was a chance they might draft him in the seventh round, but they took linebacker Dominique Stevenson. ”I just wanted to go to a team that wanted me and not have my agent calling around and begging,” Mattingly said.’

‘Linebacker Trev Faulk, offensive lineman Dwayne Pierce, wide receiver Ed Dangerfield and safety Ryan Clark have signed free-agent contracts, according to an LSU news release. Faulk signed with the Denver Broncos, while Pierce and Clark are headed to the New York Giants and Dangerfield will join former LSU teammate Josh Reed with the Buffalo Bills.’

Is it fair to count Drew Bledsoe? I mean, the deal was done on a draft day. But my gosh, look at the help they’re giving him — Mike Williams, 375 pounds of tackle, and Josh Reed, the Fred Biletnikoff Award-winning receiver who could have been a first rounder. They got him in Round 2. Their second pick in the same round, Ryan Denney, is a 6-foot-7 DE with great potential. Coy Wire in the third round is a good, sturdy, Adam Archuleta-type safetyman. Hell of a draft to go with the big trade. Grade … A

"I was a little worried about Donahoe early on with the fire sale that we had that first year he got here," Brown said. "But now it’s paying off."

"We were determined at the end of last season to do whatever we could to make this team better," Donahoe said. "But really, at this point, that’s all we’ve done. We’re a better football team on paper. Unfortunately, I’ve never seen any games played on paper. So we still have a lot of work to do."

Please be advised that the Bills will introduce quarterback Drew Bledsoe to the media at a press conference on Wednesday at 3:00 P.M. Afterwards, Bledsoe will be introduced to Bills fans at an event outside the team’s training facility in Orchard Park, NY.

More specific details on Wednesday’s events will be released as they become finalized. Stay tuned to buffalobills.com.

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