Two Bills Drive

‘Take away quarterback scrambles and wide receiver reverses, and the Bills’ running backs averaged a paltry 3.5 yards per carry in an offense that was inconsistent, predictable and lacked an identity.’

‘Williams’ rise to Bills head coach is the story of a super-achiever who plotted each step on his path up the coaching ladder and went after his goals with a work ethic and maniacal organizational style that left colleagues in awe.’

‘But Williams and Gray aren’t asking for sympathy. After the hardships they experienced in moving from Houston to Tennessee and still getting the promotions they longed for, they know no football obstacle is too difficult to overcome.’

‘"But we don’t have staff meetings where we say, ‘We’ve got to beat last year’s numbers,’ " says Russ Brandon, Bills vice president of business development and marketing. "We just want to provide a great family environment, one kids can remember throughout the winter."’

‘With so much going on, it would be unrealistic to expect immediate success from these new-look Bills. New jeans and sneakers take time to break in. Still, nobody on the Bills is crying "Wait for 2002."’

‘Entrusted by owner Ralph Wilson to make sure these Bills aren’t counterfeit like last year’s stumblin’, bumblin’ 8-8 crew, Donahoe’s game plan may ultimately determine the long-term future of the franchise in these parts. History suggests he is up for the challenge.’

‘"It’s not close," says the married father of three children, ages 16, 11 and 9. "The Buffalo Bills are a distant second in my life. My family is the most important thing to me and I would’ve turned this job down if I didn’t think (western New York) was a good place to raise kids.’

‘"There were things as I watched on film of last year, structure-wise, that didn’t give (Rob) answers back in the pocket, and he took the heat on some of those sacks," Williams said. "That is the beauty of this system . . . it challenges defenses to cover every zone or every receiver every time the ball is snapped. So he will have answers this year."’

‘Fisher has 500 freshmen enrolled for the upcoming school year, 100 more than the previous high. Rooney stresses that the Bills camp was not the only factor in the increase, but he believes that the camp helped to promote the school to some students. They came to see the Bills; they saw the campus; they applied.’

‘"He thinks he is a running back … and you’re looking for a guy who, if he comes in, you don’t really have to change what you do," general manager Floyd Reese said. "But I’m not sure he’s not a better blocker than he is a runner."’

‘The Tennessee Titans have agreed on a one-year contract with former Buffalo Bills running back Jonathan Linton.’

‘Each evening session will begin at 7 with a 25-minute autograph session with the Bills’ players and coaches will sign autographs. The practices will run from 7:30-9:15.’

‘Dave Pasch, the radio voice of Syracuse University football and basketball for the past two seasons, has been drafted by the Bills to do some television work this summer. Pasch will do the play-by-play alongside analyst Steve Tasker on the two Bills preseason games that will be televised in August by WNYO-TV, Channel 49.’

‘The evening practices, scheduled for July 30 and August 6 at Fisher’s Growney Stadium, are free, but fans must pick up a ticket at any area Wegmans.’

‘"I guess I’m going to have to make some new friends," Linton said. "But that’s great. I’m looking forward to it."’