Two Bills Drive

While some coaches use just four days to prepare for opponent, coach Gregg Williams decided to use the four months leading into this season to help prepare for Sunday’s opener against the New Orleans Saints.

With Bills a much younger team than last year’s, maintaining a positive frame of mind will be a key this season, and the first five games will be a tough test for the team. For that reason, Williams has spent as much time as possible working on the New Orleans game and the first few games of the schedule.

The Bills Tuesday announced the five players on the practice squad:

There’s a decidedly new look this season to the San Diego Bills, er, Chargers. From the front office to the locker room, there are former Buffalo Bills everywhere.

Butler says he’s largely to blame for the QB controversy that split the Bills’ locker room, front office and fans the past 3 years. "It was probably my fault," he says. "I always envisioned that if you had two very talented QBs you’d be better off. I never envisioned that sides would be taken the way they were. But you had two young men who are extremely competitive, and that’s what happened."

Daryl Porter, who signed with Miami in March after three seasons with Buffalo, was one of several former Bills who found themselves without a job Sunday night. The Dolphins cut Porter, who led the team with 24 tackles during the preseason. Veteran QB Billy Joe Hobert was let go by the Colts, DE Corey Moore – cut by the Bills this year – was released by the Bengals and OT Robert Hicks parted with the Lions.

In the short tenure of the new Bills brainstrust they have shown a penchant for being decisive no matter what player it involves. A week before training camp they cut veteran linebacker, John Holecek. History repeated itself Sunday when the Bills reduced their roster to 53. Henry Jones name stood out like a shining beacon in the night on the Bills cut list.

‘On July 26, Georger, who is 20, weighed 145 pounds. On Aug. 26 at Edgefest, where contestants weighed in, he tipped the scale at 181 pounds.’

He speaks on the release of Henry Jones, the role of the strong safety, on Travis Henry, on the roster’s youth and on the kicking game.

‘"Yes, he’s ready to take over," Irvin said of Hill. "No one is setting him up for failure. That’s why he’s in there – because they feel like he can get it done. He’ll be ready."’

‘On Monday, Bills coach Gregg Williams asserted, "Steve’s still our kicker." That didn’t need to be said two months ago.’

‘The Saints are interested in signing veteran strong safety Henry Jones, who was released by the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Saints general manager Randy Mueller talked with Jones’ agent Jim Steiner on Monday about trying to arrange a visit sometime this week, said Ben Dogra, a partner in Steiner’s St. Louis-based office.’

‘"It’s hard because I hope everybody doesn’t expect me to fill his shoes, because I can’t fill his shoes," said Hill, who coincidentally learned of the news while celebrating his 25th birthday on Sunday. "He’s Henry Jones and I’m Raion Hill. And all I can do is be me."’

‘Two years ago Raion Hill wasn’t good enough to make the Buffalo Bills opening-day roster. As of Sunday afternoon — the day he celebrated his 25th birthday — Hill is the team’s new starting strong safety.’

‘Sunday, the Bills brought in veteran Al Del Greco and young Jon Hilbert for tryouts in the wake of Christie’s disastrous 4-for-11 preseason, but both left town without the Bills’ job. "Steve is still our kicker," Williams said. "He’s made a bunch of kicks in his time, and that always figures in."’

‘After blaming his recent troubles on tall grass in Cincinnati, and the fact that he has a new long-snapper and holder, Christie is now pointing the finger at himself. "It was me. And I’ll take the responsibility for that," Christie said. "I just need to come through now, so that’s that."’

Ask Bills Player of the Week defensive tackle Leif Larsen a question.