Two Bills Drive

‘But through all the rampant optimism, there was a message of caution from owner Ralph Wilson. "We have a serious salary-cap problem," Wilson ventured. "I read where we had the fourth-highest total of signing bonuses handed out, $198.6 million (U.S.)."’

‘"It’s a done deal, and I’m thrilled," Smith said last night from his home in Hamburg, N.Y. He grew up in Rhode Island and lived here when he was first married. "It’s been a wonderful 14 years in Buffalo, but it was time to move on."’

‘He’s popular in Buffalo, where many of the defensive players have lobbied on his behalf for the head-coaching vacancy. But that appears to be a longshot.’

‘"My job is to make it work," Donahoe, the Bills’ new president and general manager, said yesterday at his introductory news conference at Ralph Wilson Stadium. "People will know I’m here."’

‘The good news for the Bills is that Donahoe, however you pronounce his name, doesn’t just talk a good game. He has a track record of delivering, having rebuilt the Pittsburgh Steelers into a Super Bowl contender.’

‘Better start worrying Flutie fans. Those who thought that Tom Donahoe’s hiring as president and general manager of the Bills meant Flutie would return as Buffalo’s unequivocal starter, well, not necessarily.’

‘Phillips, fired Monday by the Bills, will follow Bills defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, who interviewed with the Texans on Thursday.’

This Bills Fan will be rooting for the Raiders this weekend.

Tom Donahoe said all the right things today. The reaction from the public is overwhelmingly positive after his 1st press conference. Donahoe touched on a number of subjects, including the search for a new coach, the salary cap, and the future of Eric Moulds. Here is one quote: "When you do as well as Buffalo does, you’re going to have salary cap problems. I don’t know how you get around it … We have to find a way to deal with the cap, to handle it, to make sure we don’t tear our team apart. We may have to make some tough decisions this year. I’m not going to stand up and say it’s going to be easy or be popular, but we cannot be over the cap. That is a rule in the National Football League, so we have to look at the avenues at our disposal to deal with the cap."

‘But the 53-year-old Donahoe offered no hint Friday of who might replace the fired Wade Phillips. "I’ll leave the speculation to you," Donahoe said at a news conference.’

‘"Do I ever reflect on (the Super Bowl losses) — yes. But it hasn’t wrecked my psyche . . . Getting to the Super Bowl is tough, getting back three straight years after the first time is even tougher."’

‘What three things do Dusty Zeigler, Glenn Parker and Corbin Lacina have in common? First, they were all Buffalo Bills’ offensive linemen, second they all left as free agents and, third, all three will be starting in Sunday’s NFL Championship Game.’

‘If you’re a fan of the Buffalo Bills, the last couple of days have been good ones. Count your blessings.’

‘Phillips will interview for the Texans’ job this weekend; Thursday belonged to Cottrell, who was interviewing for a head coaching job for the first time.’

‘The guess here is the Bills will be a bigger winner over the long haul than the Steelers, that Donahoe still will be working in Buffalo long after Cowher has moved on to his next job.’