Two Bills Drive

Provides a team-by-team summary of cuts, franchise tags, transition players, and signings as of 2/22/01

‘"They do not like each other," said Donahoe, not exactly breaking that story. "Both of them were committed to being the guy. As long as the other guy wasn’t there. … Even if we didn’t have a [salary] cap issue, these two guys can’t be on the same team. This has almost gone beyond not liking each other."’

‘"Unfortunately we have some rules we have to live by. . . . We have to bite the bullet so we can get a handle on the cap in the future."’

‘The Jets are near his Western New York home of the past five seasons. They also have a need at tackle, especially if they shift to a 4-3 style. And they have his old Bills defensive coordinator, Ted Cottrell.’

‘So why are the Buffalo Bills having such a tough time deciding between Rob Johnson and Doug Flutie as their quarterback? Doesn’t it look easy? It should be, with Johnson looking the part, and Flutie wishing he did.’

‘Flutie or Johnson? It’s a question that splintered the Bills and led to the release of head coach Wade Phillips. It’s the issue that must be laid to rest before this franchise moves forward into free agency and the off-season.’

‘Quarterbacks Doug Flutie and Rob Johnson, defensive end Phil Hansen, linebackers Sam Rogers and John Holecek, cornerback Ken Irvin, running back Antowain Smith and long-snapper Ethan Albright remain candidates for release.’

‘Bills general manager Tom Donahoe, coach Gregg Williams and several offensive assistants will meet at the Indianapolis Scouting Combine tomorrow night to discuss the team’s quarterback quandary.’

‘The Buffalo Bills have discussed changes in their uniform but there are no plans to follow through with any of them.’

‘Thurman Thomas, a five-time Pro Bowl running back, was cut loose by the Miami Dolphins on Thursday, paving his way to rejoin the Buffalo Bills so that he can retire with the team he helped to four Super Bowls.’

‘Could it be? An article logically arguing for the retention of Johnson?’

Williams said he’s talked to 50 or 60 people about the situation… "I don’t know who else I can talk to," Williams said. "We’ve talked to the media people in Buffalo about how they handled that, we’ve talked about community relations and whether they wanted to live in Buffalo."

‘Doug can’t throw the deep in route. He is not able to attack the middle of the field with his arm. To account for this, the coaches have developed alternatives with fade routes and an increased reliance on tight end Jay Riemersma.’

‘Washington, Panos and Mohr were scheduled to eat up $12.412 million in cap room in 2001. Instead, the Bills trimmed approximately $5.05 million from the more than $18 million they must cut by next Friday.’

‘When he accepted the position of Buffalo Bills president and general manager last month, Tom Donahoe didn’t realize that putting out brush fires was a significant part of the job description. But there he was Thursday morning dragging out the hose again.’