Two Bills Drive

‘After reviewing the films of Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage, coach Wade Phillips placed renewed emphasis on smart, crisp play. "We started out on three of the first four plays having a penalty," Phillips said. "We made too many mistakes, penalty mistakes. We’re not going to accept a lot of penalties." It was, of course, just a scrimmage, when the younger players saw more playing time. Friday’s preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals at Ralph Wilson Stadium may be a better test. "I evaluate them in practice but it’s how they play in a game," Phillips said.’

‘Pingel, 23, had hoped to catch the eyes of NFL scouts at Westminster College, a Division III school near St. Louis. He was a three-time All-American there, and earned small colleges player-of-the-year honors after putting up astounding numbers last fall: 136 receptions and 24 touchdowns in 10 games. Pingel wound up catching 436 passes during his collegiate career, shattering Jerry Rice’s NCAA record by 135 receptions. Pingel’s 6,108 receiving yards and 75 touchdown catches also left the San Francisco 49ers future Hall of Famer in the dust. But Pingel has no delusions. A spot has been reserved for Rice in Canton, Ohio. A spot in the unemployment line may soon await Pingel.’

‘Giancola felt he had a serious shot at dislodging veteran Steve Christie, or at the very least handling the kickoff duties for the Bills, but lasted just nine days before getting the dreaded message that coach Wade Phillips wanted to see him and that he should bring his playbook. "Going down the elevator and walking along the corridor, I felt like I was walking through the valley of death," said Giancola, who endeared himself to Argo fans early last season with a winning field goal against Hamilton. "It was hard because I felt I was coming on strong each day and thought without a doubt that I’d make the first exhibition game. "It (the NFL) was different. I found about 80 per cent of the players were very cold and not very appreciative of the fans and that’s not me. It’s a hard environment."’

‘While Giancola felt confident heading into the Bills camp, his challenge became greater when incumbent Steve Christie of Oakville had one of his best camps. "He came really prepared," Giancola said. "He hit all his pressure kicks. He was able to line-drive (his kickoffs) into the end zone, that was the big thing. I tip my hat to him. He is the best I’ve ever gone against. "I started off slowly, I’m not ashamed to admit. The first couple days I was nervous, I was in awe." Giancola said it didn’t help when quarterback Doug Flutie suffered a groin injury that will sideline the former Argo until September. The Bills had to find a temporary replacement for Flutie — they re-signed third-stringer Alex Van Pelt — which meant having to create a roster spot.’

‘The oppressive humidity stayed in the afternoon, but rain fell only briefly between sessions and at the end of the afternoon workout. And the end couldn’t have come too soon for the offense. Passes fell more often on the ground or in defenders’ hands than with their intended targets.’

‘They are adept at pushing all the right buttons in Buffalo, but rarely do they ever reach for the one marked "Panic," and that won’t change this year. Having summarily jettisoned three future Hall of Fame members this spring — defensive end Bruce Smith, tailback Thurman Thomas and wide receiver Andre Reed — one might guess the Bills could be forced to take a few steps back before moving forward again. But don’t bet on it.’

‘"I would have come back and played for $200,000 in a second," Van Pelt said. "It was fortunate for me, but unfortunate that it had to happen to Doug. It’s funny, a week ago Friday I was playing golf. Next Friday, I’ll be playing against the Bengals. We were two days away from putting our house on the market and moving back to Pittsburgh."’

‘After an overnight shower, Monday dawned hot, still and muggy. And tempers were hot too, as three separate skirmishes broke out during the 11-on-11 team work. The card was Fina and Panos vs. Fisher, Allotey vs. Newman and Linton vs. Tillman.’

‘They say a picture is worth a 1000 words, so here are 1000’s of words for you to see! We will break up the photos by archive. This section will include photos from Shout!, the AP, and from the fans.’

‘The Pill" is short for Pillsbury. Pillsbury is short for Pillsbury Doughboy. The Pillsbury Doughboy is Alex Van Pelt, the round mound capable of running the Bills’ offense, through the air or on the ground. His teammates couldn’t wait to see him Sunday morning so they could push their index finger into his lovable little belly. Anyone who witnessed the quarterbacking display last week during training camp wouldn’t blame them. Never in their recent history have the Bills needed a baseball-cap-wearing, clipboard-holding, minimum-salary-making, 6-foot-1, 220-pounds-before-breakfast, third-string quarterback than they do right now. Alex Van Pelt is a proven backup, but the Bills would have improved by signing Alex Trebek.’

‘Drake conquered NFL Europe last year. Now he’ll try and do the same with the Bills. No one questions Drake’s skills. He’s deceptively quick. His hands are so big they could fit around a powerlifter’s neck. His legs, long and lean, churn and kick up chunks of sod. The guy’s got skills, no doubt. You don’t catch 12 touchdowns in NFL Europe – as Drake did last season with the Rhein Fire – without them. He still faces a number of challenges with the Bills, though.’

‘With all-time great Andre Reed parting ways with the Bills, last year’s star rookie Peerless Price moves into the starting lineup alongside Eric Moulds. That leaves three positions to fill, including the very important No. 3 role. There are eight candidates in training camp competing for the job, but 10 days into the weeding out process, McDaniel is clearly out in front. Not that the soft-spoken 24-year-old from New Bern, N.C., would say so. "I can’t say it’s guaranteed I’m the third guy," McDaniel said. "There are a lot of great young players out here. But just the experience of last year, being on the practice squad, I do have a bit more experience. I will say I’m feeling good. I’m getting a lot of help from Eric, who’s one of the great receivers in the league, and things are going pretty well."’

‘"I think this is an exciting year," Brown said. "We have a lot of young talent. If the veteran leaders and coaching staff can bring it together, we have a good of a shot to go to the Super Bowl. If we don’t get to the Super Bowl and win it this year, than next year we’re definitely gonna win it. We’re loaded."’

‘When Bruce Smith was mulling his future last January, he knew that by remaining with the Buffalo Bills, he could earn $2 million for playing in the 2000 NFL season. However, that meant Smith would have to take a salary cut from the $4 million he was scheduled to earn from the Bills. Most of us would agree that $2 million is a living wage. Smith felt it wasn’t a fair wage for a defensive end of his accomplishments and talent, but when he signed with the Washington Redskins, Smith agreed to a contract that would pay him a base salary of $500,000 for the 2000 season. Why would Smith accept even less than what he felt was an insulting offer from the Bills? The answer is a $4.25 million signing bonus.’

‘Van Pelt is scheduled to start practicing with the Bills on Monday morning after he undergoes a physical examination and signs a one-year deal worth $440,000, plus incentives. Final details were being completed Saturday. He is expected to report this afternoon to the Bills’ training camp at St. John Fisher College. "He’s kept in shape and he’s been working out," said Brian Kelley, Van Pelt’s agent. "We knew something would happen with Alex, if not with Buffalo then with somebody."’