Two Bills Drive

‘First of all, the word has always been that the Bills’ players preferred Johnson at quarterback.’

‘Donahoe said last week that the one quarterback who remains probably will have to restructure his contract to accommodate the team’s tight cap status. Flutie has a 2001 cap value of $7.753 million and Johnson of $8.292 million.’

‘After weeks of internal debate on the merits of their two quarterbacks, the Bills have decided in favor of Rob Johnson. The team will officially announce the decision to retain Johnson at a 7 p.m. EST news conference at the team complex.’

‘The Bills were forced to make a decision mostly for salary-cap reasons as they had to cut almost $8 million off their payroll in time for Thursday’s 4 p.m. deadline.’

‘One day after saying goodbye to Thurman Thomas Tuesday, the Buffalo Bills looked towards the future in retaining quarterback Rob Johnson as the team’s starting quarterback in 2001. With the large amount of money the team’s two quarterbacks would count when the salary cap numbers are enforced Thursday evening, the Bills decided they could only keep one of their two quarterbacks. After an exhaustive review of film, interviews with other players and coaches, and thought to the future direction of the club, the Bills retained the younger Johnson.’

Now that Johnson is the man in Buffalo, head over to the Stadium Wall message board and tell us what you think of the decision! (If you were reading the Wall last night you would have had this information before ANYONE on the internet!).

‘Multiple media sources are reporting that a press conference will be held at 7:00 pm to announce that Rob Johnson has survived his battle for the starting quarterback position for the Buffalo Bills.’

‘If the Dolphins don’t want him, why would we?’

‘No explanation necessary…’

‘Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ted Washington, released last week in a salary cap move by the Buffalo Bills, will meet with Bengals coaches and officials Monday at Paul Brown Stadium.’

‘If the 6-foot-5, 340-pound Washington does not immediately sign with Seattle, he plans to visit the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday. No other visits have been arranged, although Cleveland is another possibility.’

Great article about a great back.

Read it today before it is replaced with another column.

‘"I always considered Thurman my adopted son, and he always called me dad," Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. said. "It was a running repertoire between Thurman and myself. . . . Thurman is the best all-around back I’ve ever seen."’

‘See you in Canton.’

‘The Bills can save at least $4 million at the quarterback position, whether Doug Flutie or Rob Johnson is the choice.’