Two Bills Drive

‘The Buffalo Bills will bring 18 free agents into mini-camp this weekend, including one of the most prolific receivers in NCAA Division I-AA history, another Boston College quarterback and two players from the XFL.’

‘At Boston College, Hasselbeck threw for 29 touchdowns, fifth most in BC history, and 3,890 yards, sixth on the school’s all-time list.’

‘The Buffalo Bills today announced that the following 18 undrafted free agents have agreed to terms with the team. In accordance with club policy, terms were not disclosed.’

‘Bills President and General Manager Tom Donahoe and head coach Gregg Williams will be guest speakers at an open meeting of the Buffalo Bills Booster Club at 7:30 tonight. The meeting will be held in the Bills Fieldhouse adjacent to Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park.’

‘Attorneys from the National Football League conducted a hearing Monday in Buffalo concerning the contract dispute between the Buffalo Bills and former coach Wade Phillips.’

‘He doesn’t have any grandiose thoughts of supplanting Rob Johnson as the Bills’ starter. He even concedes second-string duties to veteran Alex Van Pelt. Where Hasselbeck stands is in competition for the No. 3 spot with third-year signal-caller Pete Gonzalez…’.

‘”I like this city,” said Christie, who lives in suburban Buffalo about an hour’s drive from his hometown of Oakville, Ontario. “It’s a nice place to be. It’s home. It’s hard to leave.”‘

‘As with any draft, the Buffalo Bills’ success this weekend won’t be fully-appreciated for two or three years. But for sheer numbers, it was a great three days for the teams new president/general manager Tom Donahoe.’

‘He explained that when the Bills’ pick came at No. 14, "we felt there wasn’t anybody we were overly excited about.’

Not that one. QB Tim Hasselbeck from Boston College. He said the Bills and others called as early as the fifth round and Buffalo said he might be its pick in the seventh. He wasn't, but his deal was struck soon after the end of the draft.

Kiper rates the Bills draft a B, along with comments on all their picks. For the record, he rated the other AFC teams as such: the Colts a B-, the Dolphins a B, the Jets a B, and the Pats a B. And gave no one, not even Seattle an A.

‘"Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to step in there and play early," Driver said. "They want me to play more of a strong safety position. I’m just ready to go out there and start playing some ball."’

‘"We went in with the intention of trying to improve our team, particularly looking at depth along both lines, the offensive line and defensive line. We wanted to try to get a big corner. We wanted to try to improve our special teams….We selected some players who have a chance to help in those areas."’

‘"Sometimes you hear loyalty doesn’t exist anymore, but that’s not true," Christie said Sunday after agreeing to a two-year contract with the Bills. "I have loyalty to Buffalo. I’ve been here nine years. I didn’t want to sign with anyone else."’

‘When it comes to intensity, former Buffalo Bills linebacker Chris Spielman had no equal. However, the Bills may have found someone in the NFL draft who might come close.’