Two Bills Drive

‘"The problems we had started all the way up with Wade," Brown explained, "because if your head coach isn’t on the same page as your team leaders, then there’s no way that the coach can communicate to the rest of the players."’

‘Donahoe said Modrak will oversee college scouting for the Bills as well as "offer his expertise in all areas of day-to-day operations. Tom is a high-class individual and will be a tremendous addition."’

"The subsidy for older veterans was one of the keys to the deal,… Under the agreement all players with more than four years in the league will cost the clubs the same in both cap room and dollars, even though the older players will be making more." If a 10-year veteran is due to make the new league minimum salary of $750,000, only $450,000 would count against the cap.

23. Gregg Williams, Buffalo Bills. He has prepared his whole life to be an NFL head coach, so don’t expect Williams to blow it. He works as hard as anybody and appears to have a solid grasp of the fine line between pushing too much and pushing not enough. As a defensive coach, he’s one of the best. He likes to be aggressive, which is a plus with all the speed in the NFL these days. He has a chance to be a real good one.

‘Along with handling the team’s daily operations, Modrak will oversee the team’s college scouting strategy.’

‘I set out thinking Aaron Brooks of the Saints, Matt Hasselbeck of the Seahawks or Tim Couch of the Browns would be the best candidates to break out, and they still are good candidates. But the enthusiasm of Bills coach Gregg Williams was convincing… What’s impressive and different about Johnson is the way he’s approaching his job.’

‘Gregg Williams is going to come on like wildfire; this league will see what a brilliant leader and coach he is, who inspires and directs his troops. They’ll need some consistency at running back and quarterback. Defensively, they should have some players who can still play at a quality level. ‘

‘Corey Moore has undergone successful surgery to remove a bullet from his leg. Moore has been cleared to travel, but the Bills don’t know when he will be able to come to Buffalo for an evaluation by team doctors.’

‘Tom Modrak, the former director of football operations of the Philadelphia Eagles, has made an oral agreement to join the Bills to help oversee their college scouting operation, two NFL sources reported Monday evening.’

‘"Anybody who has been a Bill remains a Bill forever in the hearts and minds of Western New Yorkers. I find that out every day, and it’s heartwarming. Where else could a guy who competes against the Buffalo Bills like me come back and have people say, "Welcome home.’"’

‘According to a league source, Modrak wanted to be the only finalist, and he hoped that he would have already been offered the job.’

‘Modrak reportedly has been offered a college scouting job with the Buffalo Bills under his former mentor, Tom Donahoe. The position would allow Modrak to continue to live in Philadelphia, Phillips said.’

‘"It’s too bad," Modrak said. "It’s a great town and great fan base. It was just timing. [The Bears’ search] just kept going on."’

‘Modrak, former Philadelphia Eagles director of football operations, was thought to be the frontrunner for the job. But they talked earlier Monday and Modrak told Phillips he didn’t think he was the right fit for the job.’

‘The Bills will likely need to make more cuts after June 1 to clear cap space to sign their 12 rookies. Running back Jonathan Linton and offensive lineman Victor Allotey were released and more moves may follow.’