Two Bills Drive

‘"Today was one of those days," said the Bills’ rookie defensive end following the Friday afternoon session at Edinboro University. "I felt really sluggish and I really didn’t do too much. I don’t think I did too well today. I just really felt slow and some days you just don’t have a good day."’

‘To make up for missing the morning session, the teams combined practices and had fewer reps.’

‘Williams — a relative unknown in the NFL coaching profession whose highest rank was as a defensive coordinator with Tennessee last year — has given the Buffalo franchise a shot in the arm with his strict attention to detail and teaching style.’

‘Only a couple hundred people were in the stands early Friday, huddled in rain gear under umbrellas and waiting for a chance to see the pros drill. But the diehards also were sent scurrying for their vehicles because of the lightning and continuing rain.’

‘"I think all those people are paying their respect to this class," the former Buffalo Bills head coach said. "But I think more than that, they’re paying their respect to the game of football and to the Hall of Fame institution, which helps glorify this great game. That’s why we’re all here this weekend."’

‘Williams, a guy who could jump out of an airplane without a parachute and convince you he’d land safely, opined that the Bills got "good, productive work" during the hectic two-hour session.’

‘"I wouldn’t have achieved 1/100th of what I’ve achieved professionally without Marv Levy," says Polian, the Indianapolis Colts general manager who has been voted NFL Executive of the Year four times by his peers. "Marv Levy gave me my start, and through the years, he gave me an education about football and about life."’

‘Get talking linebackers and Buffalo Bills Coach Gregg Williams gets a twinkle in his eye. The former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator thinks of linebackers the way an explosives expert thinks of a fuse.’

‘One player who has grabbed Bills Coach Gregg Williams’ attention is rookie tight end Dan O’Leary. Not only is O’Leary making strides on long snapping — a job he currently is the front-runner to win — but he is also showing signs that he could help at the tight end position.’

The HOF Web site contains tributes to the class of 2001. Typical Levy: " I also know that no one goes into the Hall of Fame – their name may be promulgated there – but it's the work of thousands of people that result in any person going in." (I looked it up for you *Promulgate* "to make know by public declaration)

He is probably one of the most thoughtful and mild-mannered NFL coaches.

"Leadership is the ability to get other people to get the best out of themselves," said Levy, who has a masters degree from Harvard. "It’s manifested by getting them not to follow you but to join you."

‘Players from both teams were stretching on the Edinboro University’s Sox Harrison Stadium field when the lightning flashed, followed by a loud crack of thunder. Representatives of both teams decided to cancel the session in hopes that the weather would clear up for the afternoon practice, set to begin at 3 p.m.’

I think this year is going to be a lot more organized. With the continuity of the offense and running those same plays over and over again during preseason and practices there will be less mistakes, breakdowns and hopefully be more organized. A lot of times last year, you’d have 10 seconds at the line of scrimmage, if that, and me and Doug were rushed.

‘There will be a heavy emphasis placed on special teams when the Bills travel to Edinboro, Pa., to practice and scrimmage against the Cleveland Browns.’

‘Black thinks about last season every day. He thinks about the 14 regular-season games where he didn’t put on a blue or white jersey. He thinks about the two games where he saw limited action as a kick returner. But mostly he thinks about his preseason botches because those have become his greatest weapon – motivation.’