Two Bills Drive

‘Conaty, a restricted free agent, returns for his fifth season with the Bills after accepting the team’s tender offer. Terms of the deal were not released. Conaty made a base salary of $385,000 last season.’

‘Irvin said the Bills training staff told him that he would be fully recovered within two weeks and ready for training camp, which opens July 29.’

"Just one day after announcing the signings of three draft choices, the Buffalo Bills immediately got back to the negotiating table Tuesday by reaching an agreement with fourth-round selection Brandon Spoon, a linebacker from North Carolina. "

‘Finally backed by a coaching staff that completely supports him, Johnson seems at peace with himself for the first time since arriving in Buffalo.’

‘Williams said on Monday that the team is going to practice outdoors, even in November and December, until "it’s so bad we can’t be outdoors at all."’

‘Holecek said the Bills can still be a dominating defense, despite the absence of Ted Washington, Marcellus Wiley and Sam Rogers. But they are not deep, and the backups are very young. They cannot afford any serious injuries.’

‘Now it’s up to Morris, Shawn Bryson and second-round draft pick Travis Henry to prove that trust in them was warranted.’

‘The Buffalo Bills signed three draft picks Monday, including fifth-round selection, Illinois offensive tackle Marques Sullivan. Also signed were seventh-round picks, wide receiver Reggie Germany of Ohio State and defensive end Tyrone Robertson of Hinds Junior College. ‘

1. Training camp held despite rain – good preparaton for season says Williams.

2. Hansen is excused so he may attend birth of first child

3. Fina’s ankle turned in practice but not serious

4. Williams says rookies haven’t shown anything yet.

‘Robertson, who is a project defensive lineman, was signed by the Bills. Robertson skipped last two years of college elgibility due to acedemic troubles (he left University of Georgia in 1999). Assuming he makes it through mini-camp (which may not happen given the competition) why would the Bills sign a project to a three year contract? By the time he is productive, he will be a free-agent.’

‘Buffalo general manager Tom Donahoe would like to make a waiver claim on two-year veteran free safety Scott Shields, released by the Steelers on Monday. After all, it was Donahoe who, during his tenure in Pittsburgh, drafted the huge (6-feet-4, 228 pounds) and rangy safety. But the Bills are so strapped by the salary cap, they can’t even afford the $389,000 minimum salary for a third-year veteran that Shields would require. ‘

‘The Bills, though, have a strong chance of being hurt even more by their choice to keep Rob Johnson over Doug Flutie as the starting quarterback, allowing Flutie to sign with the Chargers.’

‘Pittsford has a slew of other community events ready for coming weeks, including a parade on July 27 to welcome the Buffalo Bills to their training camp at St. John Fisher College..the upcoming Bills camp was a major draw for Positively Pittsford, with a parking lot off Main Street crammed with Bills memorabilia, plus some players signing autographs.’

‘Bills President and General Manager Tom Donahoe and coach Gregg Williams are big fans of Erhardt. They brought him into town last week to hold a one-day "clinic" with the Bills assistant coaches.’

‘The Sporting News’ pro football analyst Dan Pompei this week lists position-by-position "the young veterans on offense most likely to have breakout seasons" in 2001. The quarterback pick might be offensive to Doug Flutie fans: Rob Johnson of the Bills.’