Two Bills Drive

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‘For the remaining veterans who were a part of the historic stretch of four straight AFC championships — and those still around from the team’s last division title in 1995 — that’s a giant step in the right direction. Whether that step becomes a quantum leap at some point in the near future remains to be seen, but most players here agree that a change was due. And under the guidance of Donahoe and Williams, these definitely are not your father’s Buffalo Bills, it has become readily apparent.’

"He’s really done well, and is feeling a lot better. We’ve made a decision that he’s not going to play. That’s my decision, he can play, there’s no doubt about it, but rest is the best treatment right now. We’re going to give it the weekend off, and get back here Monday and re-evaluate it and then make the next serious evaluation of where we’re going with it."

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‘"There’s been times in my defensive coordinator career where we had to have safeties playing corner spots on multiple packages when we have six and seven DBs in the ballgame," Williams said. "We’ve got five corners who can do a pretty good job in those packages."’

‘Third-year veteran Pete Gonzalez is scheduled to take over for backup QB Alex Van Pelt to start the second half. The fourth QB on the roster is Jack Hawley, a rookie from San Diego State. There’s no guarantee that either will win the third-quarterback job.’

‘In the first season since LIN put WNLO-TV (Channel 23) on the air, it has decided to carry a weekly Bills Sunday game highlight show, "Bills Wrap-Up," using WIVB-TV (Channel 4) sports personnel. The program will air at 10:30 p.m. Sundays, right after the 10 o’clock news. It will premiere on Sept. 9, the day the Bills open the regular season at home against the New Orleans Saints.’

‘And Hicks’ release carries a message for the other marginal players on Buffalo’s roster heading into tonight’s preseason game against Philadelphia at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘"We’re better at running the football now than we were when I was on the other side of the ball (coaching with Tennessee)," Williams said of his Buffalo team, steadfastly ignoring what happened against the Rams. It’s too early not to give Williams the benefit of the doubt on this one.’

‘If tonight’s game with Philadelphia were a regular-season contest, Buffalo Bills quarterback Rob Johnson said, "I’d play." However, because former Syracuse University star quarterback Donovan McNabb leads his Eagles into Ralph Wilson Stadium for a preseason game, Johnson will not play.’

‘Modrak, hired as the Bills’ director of football operations 2 1/2 months ago, held the same job with the Eagles for the past three seasons. Despite playing a major role in transforming Philadelphia from a 6-9-1 team before he arrived to an 11-5 playoff club last season, he was dismissed in a bitter falling out with owner Jeffrey Lurie.’

‘Hicks, who became a full-time starter in 1999 at right tackle in just his second season, played lethargically and lost his starting job last season. Though he returned this season in excellent shape, he continued to play disinterested, losing ground to rookie draft picks Jonas Jennings and Marques Sullivan and free agent Kris Farris.’

‘The Bills continue to host officials from other NFL clubs interested in their training camp operation at St. John Fisher. The expansion Houston Texans and Chicago Bears have been among the teams that have visited to gather ideas.’

‘Conaty, who lives in Ocean City in the offseason with wife Denise and 16-month-old son William III, said it was cool starting in the preseason opener last week against St. Louis. He is looking forward to playing against the Eagles, which he rooted for growing up in Pennsauken, but he is anxious for the regular-season opener.’

‘Tom Modrak, who was fired last May as the Eagles’ director of football operations, is the Bills’ new director of football operations. Two Bills assistant coaches, Danny Smith (special teams) and Dan Neal (tight ends), were assistants for the Eagles. Smith worked under Ray Rhodes and Neal worked under Buddy Ryan.’