Two Bills Drive

‘The switch came down to numbers. Chautauqua County, where Fredonia sits on the northern edge, lists a population of just under 140,000. Rochester’s Monroe County has over 700,000. While the Bills rarely drew 1,000 fans in a day at Fredonia State, they’re hoping for five times that many at St. John Fisher. “The move to Rochester has been a major success for us”, said team owner Ralph Wilson Jr. “It gives us a presence in an area we’re trying to promote as a regional franchise. “Fredonia was great to us, but it’s not centrally located … people wouldn’t drive there. I was surprised how few fans came to camp last year”. And, oh yeah, the Bills sell 20 percent of their tickets in Monroe County, 14 percent in Rochester alone.’

‘The Bills are addressing the demand for autographs this camp by creating the McDonald’s Kids Autograph Tent. Children under the age of 14 will have a chance to get autographs following each practice session. Three players per session will be available for 15 minutes, and each child will be able to have one item signed. Because of high demand, the lines will be cut off at a certain point. The Bills want to avoid a situation in which a child stands in line but doesn’t reach the players’ table during the 15-minute signing period.’

‘The Bills’ staff was busy getting ready for the coaches and players, all of whom are to be on campus by 4 p.m. Thursday. "We’re working diligently," said Russ Brandon, the Bills’ vice president for marketing, just before he ran off to take care of another detail. All of the players and staff will stay in dorms at Fisher.’

‘Never in the team’s 40 years have the two facets of football, the game, and football, the business, been so intertwined. Only 10 years ago, Buffalo’s marketing staff consisted of one person; it now numbers near 30. For 19 summers, the team was content to train in sleepy Fredonia, Chautauqua County, drawing a couple hundred fans per practice on average. In Rochester, the Bills’ second-largest fan base with tentacles that can reach as far east as Albany, they expect crowds in excess of 5,000. The Bills say they can’t survive into the new millennium without becoming a regional franchise, much like a Green Bay or a Kansas City or a New England. "This is about the long-term viability of our franchise," said Russ Brandon, vice president of business development and marketing.’

‘Talks with the agents for Flowers and Tillman were ongoing yesterday, but when asked if he’d get the two young defenders the Bills are counting on heavily this season under contract on time, Butler wouldn’t say. "I have no idea, and I never do until a deal is done," he said.’

‘"Last year I started every game, but I wasn’t into playing as a starter. They made me feel like I wasn’t even there. I just didn’t want to be there. That’s the bottom line. And I have nothing against the organization. I had some great years there. I was able to play with some Hall of Fame players and be coached by a Hall of Fame coach in Marv Levy. I will never downgrade some of the years that I had there. "It’s just that last year left a bad taste in my mouth about the organization and about football, period. I vowed to myself if I get another chance to play, I’m going to go out on my own terms."’

‘Reed, the NFL’s No. 2 all-time receiver, visited the Broncos complex Wednesday. He might be a natural fit as the No. 3 receiver. He also provides insurance should the league further discipline Rod Smith following his guilty plea in a domestic dispute.’

‘Buffalo Bills: Here’s one the kids will love — give your $10 admission fee to ticket taker Doug Flutie! He’ll have plenty of spare time while Rob Johnson steers the offense in practice. Pat Doug on the head! See if your kid is taller than he is! Try to win your second consecutive jump ball against an NFL player!’ (Thanks to CW for submitting this link).

‘Russ Brandon is quick to note that his Buffalo Bills are the only NFL team in New York state. The New York Giants and Jets, their monikers aside, technically are residents of The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J. But geographical quibbles aside, Brandon and the Bills hold no illusions about becoming the state’s official football team. The fanatics behind the Giants and Jets have a firm grip on the turf of New York City and its environs. Beyond those boundaries, however, the Bills figure the rest of the state is up for grabs. And that fight to win the upstate fan’s allegiance is why the Bills have moved into new summer digs a mere 75 minutes west of Syracuse.’

Today, one day before the team is scheduled to report to training camp in Greeley, the Broncos will host visits with former Buffalo standout wide receiver Andre Reed and Arizona’s free-agent defensive tackle Eric Swann….But the depth the Broncos really would like to add is at wide receiver and defensive tackle. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan already has spoken with the 36-year-old Reed about signing with Denver, where he likely would be the team’s No. 3 wide receiver, a position the Broncos have tried unsuccessfully to fill for years.’

As soon as Broncos work Andre out and approve of his conditioning, he will sign.

‘Want to know why special teams will be a high priority for the Buffalo Bills in training camp? They ranked 22nd in kickoff returns, 21st in kick coverage, 18th in punt coverage and 11th in punt returns. There was also a certain kickoff return by the Tennessee Titans that shall remain nameless.’

‘Wannstedt brought in former Buffalo assistant Tom Bresnahan to fill Boudreau’s spot in the interim…Bresnahan last coached the Bills in 1997 and spent 16 years in the NFL. Bresnahan, 65, was given a crash course via telephone Monday and Tuesday by Boudreau, and he was scheduled to meet with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey on Tuesday night. "I’ve been on the opposite side of the field from Chan, but I have a lot of admiration for what he does," Bresnahan said. "I don’t know the intricacies, but I’m a pretty quick learner and I’m sure before long I’ll be up to snuff."’

‘Bresnahan’s name should be familiar to Dolphins fans from his nine-year coaching stint in Buffalo. Not only did the Bills field dominating offensive lines during that span, but Bresnahan also served as offensive coordinator for the Buffalo teams that reached Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII.’