Two Bills Drive

‘Free agency is just two weeks away, but teams are scrambling to get players in under the $67.4 million salary cap. The Bill are $12,744,000 over the cap and are in one of the worst financial positions in the league. Here is a list of how each team currently stands in relation to the 2001 salary cap.’

‘The accountants have closed the books on the 2000 season and the final numbers are in. The New York Giants went to the Super Bowl last season with the third-lowest payroll in the league – $57.3 million. The Washington Redskins, however, spent the postseason at home with a bloated $92.4 million payroll, the most in the league.’

‘Wide receiver Eric Moulds and the Buffalo Bills have come to terms on a new contract, The Buffalo News has learned. Greg Johnson, one of Moulds’ New Orleans-based agents, said Wednesday night there are a few details that need to be worked out regarding incentives.’

[NOTE: Bills are also on front page of Sporting News as well] Here is a look at some of the best players who are vulnerable to getting released:

QB Doug Flutie, Bills. The Bills can’t afford to keep both Flutie and Rob Johnson, so it is likely they will chose to keep the 27-year-old instead of the 38-year-old. Even though Flutie was a better player last year, it’s hard to argue against keeping Johnson.

RB Antowain Smith, Bills. This former first-round pick fell out of favor with the old regime. If the new regime doesn’t think more of him, Smith will be a cap casualty.

‘Unless something unforeseen happens during last-minute negotiations, wide receiver Eric Moulds will sign a new contract with the Buffalo Bills today.’

‘Any synopsis of Thurman would be incomplete, but Hodge pays Thurman the homage he deserves.’

‘Thomas will finish his career with 12,074 yards rushing, ninth on the all-time list and just 46 yards behind Franco Harris. Thomas also is sixth in all-purpose yards.’

‘Eight of Williams’ assistants – including three who followed him from Tennessee and two holdovers from Wade Phillips’ staff – have had previous NFL coaching experience. However, the other four..Miles Aldridge…Fred Graves…Tommy Kaiser…and Steve Kragthorpe…all developed sparkling reputations as teachers on the collegiate level.’

‘…as he goes riding into the sunset this week after five decades of service to Buffalo journalism. He [Larry Felser] has been synonymous with Bills coverage since Day One. I wish him the best in his retirement.’

‘Jerry Gray has been involved with enough good NFL defenses to understand the special challenge he faces as the Buffalo Bills’ new defensive coordinator.’

‘Inmates work on chain gangs, eat ostrich casserole, among other menu items, and are prohibited from drinking coffee. Troublemakers are fed bread-and-water diets as part of Arpaio’s deterrence program. The average meal at Tent City costs 45 cents to provide, according to Arpaio.

‘Arpaio also has installed Web cameras throughout the jail. Internet users can view inmate activity at http://www.mcso.org. [No Bills Content]’

‘A seven-year veteran of the Oklahoma State football coaching staff and athletics department administration, Tommy Kaiser, will leave Wednesday to join the staff of new Buffalo Bills head coach Greg Williams.’

‘While he plans to instill his aggressive get-after-the-ball philosophy, Gray is aware that he can’t foul up what has consistently been one of the league’s best defensive units since 1997.’

‘John Butler & A.J. Smith, Buffalo’s ex-head office team, have not even been introduced to Ryan Leaf, the poster child for spoiled players. Another reason why rumors keep flying about Rob Johnson or Doug Flutie going to San Diego keep appearing. Of course with with the Chargers having previously a 1-15 season, any moves made by Butler are going to look good.’

‘The Buffalo Bills’ new defensive coordinator, Jerry Gray, isn’t ready to say he wants to re-create the defensive scheme he helped coach in Tennessee the past two years. But he definitely wants to re-create the results.’