Two Bills Drive

‘"I’ve got a good feeling we’ll get something settled," agent Jack Wirth said yesterday. "They want to keep Phil and we’re trying our best to get something done."’

"Listening to most of the analysis surrounding the quarterback choice facing the Buffalo Bills’ new hierarchy, you come to an inescapable question — what’s taking so long?"

‘If Jack Kemp and Ed Rutkowski could enter politics, why can’t Lou Piccone run for Amherst Town Board?’

‘The ex-El Toro High QB would likely draw the attention of several teams if the Bills cut him.’

‘Looks like Garza has moved up to #2 center spot (behind Raiola, in front of Rabach and Hamilton) … look for the Bills to consider him in Round 3. Also, Borrum has been pegged sleeper pick at OL for several weeks and it looks like the Combine was his coming-out party… I beleieve he goes by the end of the 2nd round now.’

‘NFLTalk.com’s Mike Florio thinks the lesson of the Bills QB debate might make it the last one we see in the NFL.’

‘Real Player required, only a 28.8 feed which can’t handle the replays. They apparently have an iso camera on him during the MCM which I’m sorry I didn’t see.’

‘The downside of Johnson is that of his 19 starts in Buffalo, he failed to finish eight of them when he was knocked out with an injury. Additionally, that fact that he took 79 sacks during his tenure indicates that he had a tendency to hang on to the ball too long.’

‘So the decision isn’t made. Signs point toward Johnson being the one to go. Stay tuned.’

‘Donahoe and Williams have done their homework. They’ve watched every play Johnson and Flutie triggered last season. They’ve interviewed some 60 people – players, coaches, medical people and others – to get a profile on both QBs. They’ve even had separate face-to-face meetings with Flutie and Johnson.’

Columnist Don Banks indicates that while media reports have speculated that Flutie was in the lead for most of the past week or so, league sources believe Johnson will be the choice of coach Gregg Williams. League personnel officials and scouts say that the signs all indicate it’s Johnson’s job to lose.

‘Creating enough room under the salary cap, however, could be a stumbling block in signing either Johnson. As it stands, the Dolphins will have to restructure some deals and release playersto re-sign some of their own free agents.’

‘The Dolphins have reason to cheer for Doug Flutie.’

‘Look for the Dolphins to be among a group of teams that will express strong interest in Buffalo Bills quarterback Rob Johnson if he is released this week.’

‘During his 27-year football coaching career, Sheppard has been climbing the ladder of success, and now he has his first chance to put his own stamp on a National Football League offense.’