Two Bills Drive

‘While the Super Bowl has become a January tradition for the past thirty-five years, it will soon turn into a February feature. At the owners’ meetings this week, commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced that starting in 2004, the Super Bowl will make a permanent move into month of February.’

‘Bills coach Gregg Williams is a focus of this article on the need for coaches to know how to motivate their players.’

‘Ralph is losing his marbles by pursuing this ill advised slap in the face to the coaching ranks.’

‘The picks are compensation for the losses the Bills suffered during last year’s free-agency season. The Bills lost four unrestricted free agents to other teams – Kurt Schulz to Detroit, Thomas Smith to Chicago, Dusty Zeigler to the New York Giants and Sean Moran to St. Louis. They did not sign any from other clubs.’

‘The allotment of compensatory picks is determined by a formula based on the salary, playing time and postseason honors of players the team lost to free agency in comparison to free agents the team added.’

‘GM Tom Donahoe got what he wanted Monday at the NFL owners meetings, as the Bills were awarded four compensatory draft picks for their free agent losses during last off-season. Buffalo will get an additional third-round choice (95th overall), along with a pair of sixth-round picks (195 and 196th overall), and a seventh-round pick (238th overall) at this year’s draft.’

PrimeTime 24 lost a Supreme Court appeal Monday that sought the right to transmit NFL games to customers in Canada. The court, without comment, turned down the company's argument that it could transmit the games without violating the NFL's copyright. Capturing the NFL game signal in the United States for transmission abroad is an unauthorized act under the copyright law.

The Bears have been counting on three factors being in their favor this year. Salary-cap problems have kept a handful of teams from being serious bidders for top players, leaving teams like the Bears with less competition for talent. Also, the talent pool particularly at defensive tackle has deepened with the release of veterans like Traylor, Lett, Randle, and Stubblefield. More cuts are expected after June 1. Finally, defensive tackle projects as one of the strongest positions in the upcoming draft. As many as a half-dozen defensive tackles are projected in the first round. Angelo Wright has also been in contact with the Patriots…

‘Last time the owners decided on realignment,… commissioner Pete Rozelle decided to let fate draw the NFL’s look. Five of the acceptable proposals were put into a flower vase, and Rozelle’s administrative assistant, Thelma Elkjer, drew out the winning hand that sucessfully integrated the AFL teams in the NFL.’

The Bears agreed to terms with defensive tackle Keith Traylor on a three-year contract Friday but still consider themselves in the running for Ted Washington. Director of business operations Jim Miller says "I talked to Ted's agent [Friday]. It's not dead yet. They're asking for a lot of money. We have a disagreement on his value, but we're still talking." I think Ted is pricing himself out of the market. He better start skating at the Pepsi Center.

‘But the Bills are contending that Phillips breached his contract by refusing Wilson’s directive to fire special teams coach Ronnie Jones after the season. Phillips got the first two checks he was scheduled to receive in the final year of his deal. But the letter said he will not receive any more. It’s a pretty unusual move in the NFL.’

‘Now that the dust has settled on one of the most tumultuous two month periods of Buffalo Bills history, a quick look back causes me a great deal of apprehension.’

‘It appears that the Ronnie Jones decision will continue to haunt Phillips. Just when Wade thought it was over Ralph Wilson refuses to pay the final year of his contract.’

‘But Kelly is not about statistics. Never was. He was about leadership, true grit, toughness, unlikely comebacks and an ability to convince his teammates they could win games against formidable odds. His statistics were impressive, but his intangibles are the jewel of his resume.’

‘[Steve] Tasker, the All-Pro turned broadcast color guy, is starring as Dr. Einstein – a disbarred, alcoholic, spineless plastic surgeon with an unsteady hand – in the East Aurora group’s production of "Arsenic and Old Lace.’