Two Bills Drive

‘And Hicks’ release carries a message for the other marginal players on Buffalo’s roster heading into tonight’s preseason game against Philadelphia at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘"We’re better at running the football now than we were when I was on the other side of the ball (coaching with Tennessee)," Williams said of his Buffalo team, steadfastly ignoring what happened against the Rams. It’s too early not to give Williams the benefit of the doubt on this one.’

‘If tonight’s game with Philadelphia were a regular-season contest, Buffalo Bills quarterback Rob Johnson said, "I’d play." However, because former Syracuse University star quarterback Donovan McNabb leads his Eagles into Ralph Wilson Stadium for a preseason game, Johnson will not play.’

‘Modrak, hired as the Bills’ director of football operations 2 1/2 months ago, held the same job with the Eagles for the past three seasons. Despite playing a major role in transforming Philadelphia from a 6-9-1 team before he arrived to an 11-5 playoff club last season, he was dismissed in a bitter falling out with owner Jeffrey Lurie.’

‘Hicks, who became a full-time starter in 1999 at right tackle in just his second season, played lethargically and lost his starting job last season. Though he returned this season in excellent shape, he continued to play disinterested, losing ground to rookie draft picks Jonas Jennings and Marques Sullivan and free agent Kris Farris.’

‘The Bills continue to host officials from other NFL clubs interested in their training camp operation at St. John Fisher. The expansion Houston Texans and Chicago Bears have been among the teams that have visited to gather ideas.’

‘Conaty, who lives in Ocean City in the offseason with wife Denise and 16-month-old son William III, said it was cool starting in the preseason opener last week against St. Louis. He is looking forward to playing against the Eagles, which he rooted for growing up in Pennsauken, but he is anxious for the regular-season opener.’

‘Tom Modrak, who was fired last May as the Eagles’ director of football operations, is the Bills’ new director of football operations. Two Bills assistant coaches, Danny Smith (special teams) and Dan Neal (tight ends), were assistants for the Eagles. Smith worked under Ray Rhodes and Neal worked under Buddy Ryan.’

‘The classy Modrak had nothing but good things to say about his three years in Philadelphia. He said he planned to say hello to Lurie on Saturday night when the Eagles and the Bills meet in a preseason game in Buffalo.’

‘"I guess I wasn’t ready last week. This week, I’m ready to go," said Morris, who had been bothered by a tight hamstring. "With the talent we have back there, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be moving the ball forward."’

‘Buffalo coach Gregg Williams said Friday he was resting Johnson only as a precautionary move after the quarterback sat out his third straight day of practice.’

"Sam Cowart has really helped me come along," Robinson said. "He leads by his work ethic and if I have any questions I can ask. All the linebackers help each other out and they have all helped me in some way adjust to things here."

‘Conaty is expected to be the starting center when the Bills open the regular season against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 9. He will be Buffalo’s third starter at the position in the five years since Kent Hull retired, bringing Conaty a long way from the 1997 practice squad, even longer from two broken ankles over his last two seasons at Virginia Tech, longer yet since he was a 140-pound high school freshman.’

‘Robert Hicks thought his career was about to blossom last season when he became a starting right tackle for the Buffalo Bills. But rather than improve each week, he became progressively worse. Thursday, he was released.’

‘"I’ve been with Gregg since my rookie year and there’s nothing more I want than to help him and this organization win a Super Bowl."’