Two Bills Drive

The Bears have been counting on three factors being in their favor this year. Salary-cap problems have kept a handful of teams from being serious bidders for top players, leaving teams like the Bears with less competition for talent. Also, the talent pool particularly at defensive tackle has deepened with the release of veterans like Traylor, Lett, Randle, and Stubblefield. More cuts are expected after June 1. Finally, defensive tackle projects as one of the strongest positions in the upcoming draft. As many as a half-dozen defensive tackles are projected in the first round. Angelo Wright has also been in contact with the Patriots…

‘Last time the owners decided on realignment,… commissioner Pete Rozelle decided to let fate draw the NFL’s look. Five of the acceptable proposals were put into a flower vase, and Rozelle’s administrative assistant, Thelma Elkjer, drew out the winning hand that sucessfully integrated the AFL teams in the NFL.’

The Bears agreed to terms with defensive tackle Keith Traylor on a three-year contract Friday but still consider themselves in the running for Ted Washington. Director of business operations Jim Miller says "I talked to Ted's agent [Friday]. It's not dead yet. They're asking for a lot of money. We have a disagreement on his value, but we're still talking." I think Ted is pricing himself out of the market. He better start skating at the Pepsi Center.

‘But the Bills are contending that Phillips breached his contract by refusing Wilson’s directive to fire special teams coach Ronnie Jones after the season. Phillips got the first two checks he was scheduled to receive in the final year of his deal. But the letter said he will not receive any more. It’s a pretty unusual move in the NFL.’

‘Now that the dust has settled on one of the most tumultuous two month periods of Buffalo Bills history, a quick look back causes me a great deal of apprehension.’

‘It appears that the Ronnie Jones decision will continue to haunt Phillips. Just when Wade thought it was over Ralph Wilson refuses to pay the final year of his contract.’

‘But Kelly is not about statistics. Never was. He was about leadership, true grit, toughness, unlikely comebacks and an ability to convince his teammates they could win games against formidable odds. His statistics were impressive, but his intangibles are the jewel of his resume.’

‘[Steve] Tasker, the All-Pro turned broadcast color guy, is starring as Dr. Einstein – a disbarred, alcoholic, spineless plastic surgeon with an unsteady hand – in the East Aurora group’s production of "Arsenic and Old Lace.’

‘An article from the Bills official site that talks about Alex Van Pelt’s familiarity with the west coast offense from his days at Pitt and it’s value to the Bills offense….’

‘Charley Ferguson came to the Bills in the wide receiver position from the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings in 1963 and played on the 1964 and 1965 championship Bills with the likes of quarterback Ed Rutkowski and punter Paul Maguire, both former Ask an Alum guests… Ferguson played for six seasons, retiring in 1969.’

‘Buffalo Bills fullback Josh Roth and guard Corey Hulsey arrived in Tampa this week to prepare for a trip to play in NFL Europe. The two players were assigned to the Amsterdam Admirals and look forward to impressing the new coaching staff, while gaining the opportunity to experience a foreign country.’

‘The Bills will take a closer look inside NFL Europe through periodic diaries from from its own players, fullback Josh Roth and guard Corey Hulsey. Both Roth and Hulsey will play for the Amsterdam Admirals during the 2001 season.’

‘Ralph Wilson answered questions submitted by Bills fans via e-mail today in an exclusive interview with buffalobills.com. Wilson was scheduled to perform a live chat, but due to technical software difficulties, he answered fans questions submitted via e-mail to the site over the past few days.’

‘Concerned about the image being portrayed by a number of high-profile NFL players who wear bandannas and stocking caps beneath their helmets, the league’s eight-member competition committee will make a recommendation next week to team owners that players be prohibited from wearing them during games.’

‘The Bears made former Buffalo defensive tackle Ted Washington an offer Wednesday, and at the same time began exploring cheaper alternatives in the free-agent market.’