Two Bills Drive

‘Flutie or Johnson? It’s a question that splintered the Bills and led to the release of head coach Wade Phillips. It’s the issue that must be laid to rest before this franchise moves forward into free agency and the off-season.’

‘Quarterbacks Doug Flutie and Rob Johnson, defensive end Phil Hansen, linebackers Sam Rogers and John Holecek, cornerback Ken Irvin, running back Antowain Smith and long-snapper Ethan Albright remain candidates for release.’

‘Bills general manager Tom Donahoe, coach Gregg Williams and several offensive assistants will meet at the Indianapolis Scouting Combine tomorrow night to discuss the team’s quarterback quandary.’

‘The Buffalo Bills have discussed changes in their uniform but there are no plans to follow through with any of them.’

‘Thurman Thomas, a five-time Pro Bowl running back, was cut loose by the Miami Dolphins on Thursday, paving his way to rejoin the Buffalo Bills so that he can retire with the team he helped to four Super Bowls.’

‘Could it be? An article logically arguing for the retention of Johnson?’

Williams said he’s talked to 50 or 60 people about the situation… "I don’t know who else I can talk to," Williams said. "We’ve talked to the media people in Buffalo about how they handled that, we’ve talked about community relations and whether they wanted to live in Buffalo."

‘Doug can’t throw the deep in route. He is not able to attack the middle of the field with his arm. To account for this, the coaches have developed alternatives with fade routes and an increased reliance on tight end Jay Riemersma.’

‘Washington, Panos and Mohr were scheduled to eat up $12.412 million in cap room in 2001. Instead, the Bills trimmed approximately $5.05 million from the more than $18 million they must cut by next Friday.’

‘When he accepted the position of Buffalo Bills president and general manager last month, Tom Donahoe didn’t realize that putting out brush fires was a significant part of the job description. But there he was Thursday morning dragging out the hose again.’

‘Backup Shawn Price is considering testing the free agent market next week, a move that would further deplete the Buffalo Bills defensive line.’

Thurman Thomas will be on ESPN’s UpClose, Friday from 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm ET. He will be on the show along with 2001 Daytona 500 Winner: Michael Waltrip. (Thurman and Michael will split the 30 minutes). The show re-airs Saturday morning on ESPN2 from 2:30 am to 3:00 am ET.

‘A couple comments by RJ and how Mike Riley goes googoo eyed talking about him…’

The Miami Dolphins released wide receiver Tony Martin and running back Thurman Thomas today, the team announced. “I appreciate the contributions that Thurman made to the Dolphins this past season, in addition to his professionalism,” Wannstedt said. “We wish him well in whatever career decision he chooses to make.”

‘Bud Carpenter, head athletic trainer for the Bills, will head to his 17th scouting combine this weekend in Indianapolis, a process in which he will try to evaluate the physical condition of over 300 NFL prospects and administer physicals on each one.’