Two Bills Drive

‘Background information on All-America center Dominic Raiola.’

Gary Horton writes: ‘While we were in Indianapolis for the combine we heard Buffalo took exceptional interest in Nebraska center Dominic Raiola. Apparently, that still is the case. Even though eight-year veteran Jerry Ostroski currently is Buffalo’s center, he was a tackle two years ago. There is a chance he could move back to right tackle, where the Bills have had trouble, and the team would insert Raiola into the starting lineup. . . . ‘

‘Gregg Williams is a class act and we are lucky to have him here in Buffalo. Before making his way up north, Williams had the distinction of coaching with only one other NFL team, the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans. There were many reasons that Williams stayed in Tennessee and many that made him decide to move.’

‘The Bills’ new coaching staff will emphasize special teams for the 2001 season, and after starting out each of their workout sessions this week with special teams work, coach Gregg Williams said that’s no accident.’

They don't list the number of players under contract. The Bills have the most "room" in the East – $2.6 mil. (NY: $2.5m; NE: $1.9m; Indy: $1.1m; Miami: 600k) Cap totals range from the Titans ($48k) to both Ohio teams ($10.1m).

‘Brown, 29, is a fifth-year veteran who spent two seasons each in Pittsburgh (1998-99) and Arizona (1995-96). He was out of football last season. Brown played in Pittsburgh while Bills President and General Manager Tom Donahoe was the Steelers’ director of football operations.’

‘What Mohr also brings is an experienced and competent holder.’

‘Mohr, born in Atlanta, attended Briarwood Academy in Warrenton, about 40 miles west of Augusta, and his offseason home is in nearby Thomson.’

‘…Al Del Greco, cut recently by the Tennessee Titans; Richie Cunningham, who had two strong seasons for the Dallas Cowboys in 1997 and ’98; and Jon Hilbert, who was in the Bills’ training camp last season. GM Tom Donahoe has also not ruled out re-signing Steve Christie…’

‘On the second day of the Bills’ off-season conditioning program — don’t you dare call it a mini-camp — they added free agent defensive back Lance Brown. He has played four NFL seasons with the Cardinals and Steelers, but was out of the league last season after being cut by Pittsburgh.’

‘Yesterday after practice I approached linebackers Keith Newman and Corey Moore and asked them, "Hey, what’s new?" They looked at me like I was an idiot, though I was simply trying to strike up a conversation (my pick-up lines are just as good).’

‘Marcellus Wiley isn’t what you would call a name player. But he is 26 years young, plays a position (defensive end) coaches covet and has improved each year he’s been in the league. That is why San Diego struck quickly to get his signature on a six-year, $40-million contract.’

‘In Buffalo, Brown is reunited with Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe, who drafted Brown for Pittsburgh in the fifth round in 1995 out of Indiana University. He split that season between the Steelers and Arizona Cardinals, played in ’96 for Arizona and returned to play in Pittsburgh for two seasons before being cut last season.’

‘The Atlanta Falcons filled a void Tuesday by signing punter Chris Mohr, who spent the previous 10 seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 11-year veteran replaces Dan Stryzinski, who signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs.’

‘Eleven-year veteran punter Chris Mohr, an Atlanta native released last month by the Buffalo Bills for salary cap reasons, has signed a two-year contract with the Falcons. The financial details were not yet available on the deal.’