Two Bills Drive

‘Tom Modrak, the former director of football operations of the Philadelphia Eagles, has made an oral agreement to join the Bills to help oversee their college scouting operation, two NFL sources reported Monday evening.’

‘"Anybody who has been a Bill remains a Bill forever in the hearts and minds of Western New Yorkers. I find that out every day, and it’s heartwarming. Where else could a guy who competes against the Buffalo Bills like me come back and have people say, "Welcome home.’"’

‘According to a league source, Modrak wanted to be the only finalist, and he hoped that he would have already been offered the job.’

‘Modrak reportedly has been offered a college scouting job with the Buffalo Bills under his former mentor, Tom Donahoe. The position would allow Modrak to continue to live in Philadelphia, Phillips said.’

‘"It’s too bad," Modrak said. "It’s a great town and great fan base. It was just timing. [The Bears’ search] just kept going on."’

‘Modrak, former Philadelphia Eagles director of football operations, was thought to be the frontrunner for the job. But they talked earlier Monday and Modrak told Phillips he didn’t think he was the right fit for the job.’

‘The Bills will likely need to make more cuts after June 1 to clear cap space to sign their 12 rookies. Running back Jonathan Linton and offensive lineman Victor Allotey were released and more moves may follow.’

‘From the start, Modrak had told friends he was uncomfortable with a process that included an interview with Russell Reynolds and Associates, a Manhattan executive search firm.’

‘Yesterday, Modrak withdrew his name from consideration to become general manager of the Chicago Bears. Instead, he is expected to accept Donahoe’s standing offer of an undisclosed high-level front office position with the Buffalo Bills, likely heading up the team’s college scouting department.’

‘"A lot of coaches, in their attempts to reach us, are out of touch," said Wiley, now with the San Diego Chargers. "They don’t know the language. He knows all those things. He knows what we’re thinking about. He was definitely like one of the guys, but not just like a private like we are. He was definitely a general."’

‘"Antowain needs the right fit and it was the not right fit in Buffalo. He’s not Thurman Thomas, he’s not shifty like that. But Mr. Wilson could never make that connection."’

‘The Buffalo Bills’ offensive backfield got even younger after they released multipurpose running back Jonathan Linton on Friday.’

‘Though no motive has been determined for Moore being shot, the Sun reported Moore was arrested recently in Haywood County and charged with aggravated assault. Moore was allegedly involved in a May 15 incident where a man was hit with a beer bottle, Blackburn told the Sun. Moore was released on bond.’

‘Quarterback Jim Kelly’s name will go on the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame on Nov. 18, the team announced Saturday…Individual game tickets for 2001 will go on sale on July 14.’

‘The organization that for years seemed barely able to suffer the Western New York community, whose marketing approach might have been summed up as "The Bills: Love Us or We’re Leaving," has changed its tune.’