Two Bills Drive

‘With Leaf, the Chargers hoped they had a quarterback. With Flutie, they know.’

‘Chargers director of ticket sales Jerry McBurney said that as a result of the Flutie signing the club sold about 100 new season tickets yesterday. "The phones have been ringing off the hook and the lobby has been full of people," McBurney said.’

‘Former Titans safety Marcus Robertson said last night that while several teams have shown interest in his services he’d like to wind up in either the Oakland Raiders or Buffalo Bills. He plans to visit both cities next week.’

‘"The people of Buffalo, the fan support that I had there, the organization, the players on the team, it was just a great, great three years and a lot of fun," Flutie said.’

‘And Antowain Smith, who lost his starting job last season, asked to be traded and was expected to be a salary-cap victim but survived last week’s cuts, is part of new coach Gregg Williams’ plans.’

‘One potential problem for Doug Flutie in San Diego: The Chargers want him to start for next season but he says he has three or four good years left in him as an effective NFL QB.’

‘One of the most beloved players in New England history, the former Natick and Boston College star fielded calls from Atlanta, Carolina, Kansas City, and Miami, but decided sunny Southern California was his best option.’

‘SportsLine.com has learned that the six-year contract that Doug Flutie signed with the team on Friday is structured more as a two-year deal. On paper, the contract is believed to be worth $28 million to $30 million, but is severely backloaded, with the final four years averaging somewhere in the area of $5 million annually.’

‘Flutie’s pretty excited, too, notwithstanding his $30.3 million, six-year deal that includes a $3 million signing bonus.’

‘The Washington Redskins on Friday signed lineman and long snapper Ethan Albright from the Buffalo Bills.’

‘Although neither side would discuss specifics, the contract is believed to be in $28 million to $30 million range, similar to what Brad Johnson got from Tampa Bay and Elvis Grbac got from Baltimore. The signing bonus is believed to be about $3 million.’

‘The Buffalo Bills allocated fullback Josh Roth and guard Corey Hulsey to NFL Europe on Friday.’

‘"He’s been a winner. That is the realm of a quarterback. That is what its all about," Chargers coach Mike Riley said. "He has won football games."’

‘Even before signing Flutie, Butler had spent $71.6 million on defensive free agents Wiley and cornerbacks Ryan McNeil and Alex Molden.’

‘Grocery stores should begin stocking up on Flutie Flakes, since that breakfast cereal figures to be a hit in San Diego now that free-agent quarterback Doug Flutie has agreed in principle to a contract with the Chargers.’