Two Bills Drive

‘Steel-mill tough, Kelly helped keep the franchise in western New York and guided the Bills to an unprecedented four consecutive Super Bowls — a feat in this age of free agency and salary caps that probably won’t ever be duplicated…It has been four years since Jimbo called it quits. It’s time to put his name on the Wall of Fame at the Ralph and officially retire his No. 12 in a gala celebration similar to the ones accorded Joe Montana, John Elway and Marino by their respective teams and cities. The honor is long overdue.’

‘The Buffalo Bills defensive end, and successor to departed great Bruce Smith, was elated after taking part in full contact drills for the first time since undergoing surgery to repair a bulging disc in his back early last month. “Oh, man, football,” a happy Wiley said. “I’m just glad to get out there and see somebody 300 pounds in front of me and to get to run around him, run into him, get knocked down a couple of times. “It’s time for me to go out there and show what I can do.” Bills coach Wade Phillips said Wiley will get plenty of practice time this week, and that he’ll “probably play” in this Saturday’s preseason game against St. Louis.’

‘Even before Andre Reed was sent packing, Moulds had already established himself as the Bills’ go-to receiver. He led the Bills with 994 yards and seven touchdowns last season despite a nagging hamstring injury. Now healthy, he should be closer to the form of his breakout year in 1998, when he broke Reed’s franchise record with an AFC-leading 1,368 yards. He has plenty of motivation. This is the final year of the five-year contract he signed after being the Bills’ first-round draft pick in 1996. Barring injury, Moulds is looking at a multimillion-dollar payday in 2001.’

‘The Buffalo Bills 1965 American Football League championship team will be honored by the Monday Quarterback Club at a Sept. 11 luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the Adams Mark Hotel. Luncheon speakers will include team members Ed Rutkowski, Stew Barber and Billy Shaw as well as current General Manager John Butler, broadcaster Van Miller and Buffalo News sports editor Larry Felser, master of ceremonies.’

‘The man Wade Phillips calls a worrywart can exhale now. Russ Brandon can put away the Maalox, pop open a brewski and toast a job well done. Bills training camp — the project that has gnawed at Brandon’s gut for more than a year — will conclude tomorrow morning at St. John Fisher College to rave reviews. With an estimated four-week attendance of close to 120,000 and a sponsorship haul that would make NASCAR envious, the Bills’ vice president in charge of marketing and business development clearly has scored a touchdown with football fans and his boss. "We dumped this project on Russ’ lap, and he came through with flying colors," says Bills owner Ralph Wilson. "This was no small undertaking, and Russ and his staff pulled it off without a hitch. I can honestly say I heard no complaints — not from the fans, not from the coaches and players, not from anyone. And that’s saying something."’

‘William Hood has dubbed himself the official Buffalo Bills barber.’

Check out photos from Saturday’s game…

‘As good as Cowart is, Cottrell admires the fact that the player still strives to get better. "Sam is a pleasure to coach," Cottrell said. "He’s a good student of the game, and his work ethic is tremendous. That’s why he is going to be a great one in this league for a long time."’

‘…Phil Stambaugh is history…Mike Cawley is in trouble….Phillip Crosby and Josh Roth are gone, while Jason Corle (out with a hamstring) may luck out and land on season-long injured reserve…Drew Haddad, Kevin Drake, Corey Sullivan, Scott Pingel and Kwame Cavil are fighting for the last position…Bye bye Ivan Gustafson and John Jennings….it’s anybody’s guess right now between Fred Jones, Kenyatta Wright and DaShon Polk.’

‘Flowers, taken 26th overall from Arizona State, has yet to play a down in the NFL and will be counted on to contribute, albeit sparingly, as a substitute player in his inaugural season. Flowers will be paid a salary of $400,000 this season and receive annual raises of $100,000 over the life of the five-year contract. Total value: $5.65 million. Second-round pick Travares Tillman, a safety from Georgia Tech, pocketed $900,000 when his four-year deal was signed. The total value is worth $2.11 million. The remainder of the Bills’ draftees have three-year contracts, though they really should be interpreted as three, one-year contracts. Terms are dependent upon those players making the team each year. The bonus money paid to third-round selection Corey Moore ($375,000) right down to the final two selections, UB’s Drew Haddad ($26,000) and Dashon Polk ($22,000), adds up to a total of $830,000. The signing bonus, then, is what really separates Flowers and Tillman from the rest of the rookie class.’

‘The real concern is that, for the second straight game, the Bills’ first-team attack was uneven at best. Yeah, there was the pretty 72-yard touchdown connection from quarterback Rob Johnson to wide receiver Eric Moulds. However that wasn’t great offense, it was a great play made by a superlative athlete on a perfectly thrown ball. But the overall performance by the first-team offense, which played into the third period, was decidedly unimpressive. The line, in particular, struggled.’

‘The Bills’ first-team offense and defense played well into the third quarter. It was obvious which side of the ball needed the most work.’

‘"It was difficult leaving Buffalo, both personally and professionally," Schulz said. "I owe the Bills organization a lot for drafting me and giving me an opportunity to have a career in the National Football League. "The change to Detroit was a pretty smooth transition, but the hardest part was moving the family. That was the biggest challenge."’

‘"I feel like I’m 22 again," said the 36-year-old. "When I feel like that I’m usually good. It just shows that I can still do it. When you look at Bruce (Smith, now a Washington Redskin) and Thurman (Thomas, now a Miami Dolphin) you know they’re thinking the same way. When we make plays, it will be all in the face of you know who." Translation: Bills’ management.’

‘On the defensive side of the ball, the Lions — with the exception Moulds’ big play — kept the Buffalo offense at bay for much of the game, forcing three turnovers and winning the time of possession battle (31:14 – 28:46).’