Two Bills Drive

‘Wiley said he would miss Buffalo and its fans. He said the city opened its arms to him, and he felt as if he belonged. But the lure of returning to Southern California, where he grew up, was too attractive.’

Citing the NFL Management Council, at the start of free agency, Buffalo was $2.0 million under the cap – with a mere 43 players under contract.

The article begins with speculation that if Flutie were to sign with San Diego, he would be unwilling to step aside in two years for Michael Vick. Also: "In his exit physical with the Bills at the end of the 2000 season, Washington weighed 365 pounds. More significant, SportsLine.com has learned doctors found some arthritis in his right ankle." Also: "If you’re wondering why little-used tailback Antowain Smith has not been a part of the Buffalo Bills salary cap purge, it’s because general manager Tom Donahoe actually has a few teams interested in trading for the four-year veteran. Not a major deal, mind you…."

‘It was going to take a free-agent market miracle for the Buffalo Bills to be able to retain defensive end Marcellus Wiley. The miracle did not happen.’

‘That’s easy to do when a hard-luck team is coming off a 1-15 season, will benefit from a fifth-place schedule, and has the rights to the No. 1 pick in April’s NFL college draft.’

‘The red, blue and white of the Bills we know are synonymous with Buffalo. Look around. We’d all be hard-pressed to find someone we don’t know who doesn’t own some piece of Bills’ apparel. Men, women, teens, children. Winter jackets, baseball caps, sweatshirts, golf shirts.’

‘"Of the teams interested in Marcellus, and those in which he was interested, too, the Chargers seemed to be only one with sufficient cap room. The market is bad right now, and it’s going to get worse. We didn’t want to still be out there when all the money dried up."’

‘"Marcellus had certain expectations in terms of money and when he got what he wanted on that front San Diego was his first choice," Blank said. "Marcellus grew up and lives in Los Angeles and the Chargers were the team he wanted to play for."’

‘…the Bills couldn’t compete with the Chargers’ offer. And, so, on Sunday they looked on helplessly as Wiley signed a six-year deal, the second starter on the team’s defensive line to depart in two weeks.’

‘"I want to give John Butler all the credit in the world, but the proximity to Los Angeles was huge," Blank said. "Personally, I’d like to keep him on the East Coast, but he’s been away from home for a long time."’

‘The ties that bind us to Buffalo… What happens when you are forced to leave Buffalo? When the economy is in a slump and taxes are too high and you can’t make ends meet without a decent job? You miss those things that make Buffalo great! You miss those things that allow you to call Buffalo HOME no matter where you live.’

‘Both defensive end Marcellus Wiley and his agent Brad Blank have told NFLtalk that the top free agent defensive end, possibly the top free agent at any position, is now a San Diego Charger… Wiley’s contract is for $40 million over 6 years with a $9 million signing bonus… Just 25 years old, Wiley had a breakout season in 2000 finishing the season with 10.5 sacks despite missing most of the preseason after back surgery… Originally a 2nd round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1997, taken by then general manager John Butler, Wiley had an apprenticeship behind one of the best in the game, Bruce Smith.’

‘In essence, this is what Tom Donahoe, the Bills’ new impresario, told Flutie and his fans Ash Wednesday night…the loose translation of his statement was “sit on it.”‘

‘Wiley’s agent, Brad Banks, said 14 teams have called since free agency began Friday.’

‘And while Flutie should be held in esteem for overcoming the odds and accomplishing everything he has, there isn’t a stop he has made in the past 16 years where he hasn’t at least contributed to some degree of friction in the locker room.’