Two Bills Drive

‘"I’m pleased about that because we did lose two guys out of the secondary that started for us," said Phillips, who saw Smith (Chicago) and Schulz (Detroit) leave via free agency. "But it looked like we’re right back where we were last year. It doesn’t look like we’ve missed a beat as far as pass coverage is concerned. There’s no pass rush on seven-on-seven drills, so the quarterbacks have time (to throw), and we’re covering them. Some of the guys are making outstanding plays. "I’m encouraged about our pass defense. It’s going to take a rush with it, but the coverage has a lot to do with how well you rush sometimes."’

‘“No, I’m definitely not over that,” Flutie said yesterday as the Bills went through day two of a four-day mini-camp. Furthermore, he doesn’t think he will ever be able to put it behind him. “Just like I’ve never gotten over why they benched me back in New England 10 years ago,” added the former six-time CFL MVP. “If you don’t understand (why something’s happened to you) it’s hard to accept.’

‘"There may have been some questions — by a lot of people, a lot of guys on the team, even — about the moves that were made in the off-season," [Henry] Jones said. "And I think it was time to clear the air, for us and say, ‘Every year there’s change. … The only difference this year is some veterans that were here for a long time are gone. But that just means some guys are going to have to step up and play."”

"The Bills survived a couple of scares when trainer Bud Carpenter had to go onto the field to tend to Antowain Smith and nose tackle Ted Washington. When Smith came up limping after catching a pass, there was concern that Smith had aggravated his turf toe."

Wade Phillips stated the obvious." Our pass coverage looked awfully good. It was good for our offense working against the defense that led the NFL in pass defense last year. Our linebackers did a good job, and our secondary coverage looked very good."

"Flag Football is coming to Ralph Wilson Stadium Saturday & Sunday, July 8-9, when the Buffalo Bills host the first ever Buffalo Bills Youth Foundation Flag Football Tournament. The tournament will be held on the Buffalo Bills grass practice field adjacent to Ralph Wilson Stadium."

“It feels good being back able to do what I used to be able to do,” Bryson said. “Right now everything’s going good. I’m proud … It is a relief because I spent a lot of time rehabbing.”

What makes Kelly rare is that he was the only quarterback of his era who called his own plays, and that he was good enough at it to direct the Bills to four Super Bowls. That is what gives him a chance at the Hall.

‘When rookie defensive end Erik Flowers got his first playbook before the Buffalo Bills’ minicamp in April, he must have thought playing in the NFL would be a cinch. Then he got a look at the real playbook. "It looks like a dictionary," the Bills’ first-round draft pick said following Tuesday’s minicamp workout at Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Field House. "It was stunned. I looked at it, and said to myself, "What am I supposed to do with this?’ It taught me my first lesson that there’s a lot more to learn."’

"The Bills’ third voluntary June mini-camp under head coach Wade Phillips opened with 73 players present from the 77-man roster. Missing were left offensive tackle John Fina, Sam linebacker Sam Rogers, kicker Steve Christie and non-drafted rookie wide receiver Corey Jones."

‘But don’t try to tell head coach Wade Phillips that this is a rebuilding year, or that the team will be revamped, retooled or redesigned. In Phillips’ mind, there’s no reason the Bills should not be expected to build on its 11-5 record of a year ago and get deeper into the postseason that the division wild card game. Las Vegas oddsmakers clearly concur, recently listing the Bills at 8 to 1 to represent the AFC East in the Super Bowl.’

‘The Bills signed Giancola primarily for kickoffs, which is not a strong suit of veteran placekicker Steve Christie of Oakville…To be sure, the Bills need work in that department after losing to Tennessee in the first round of the playoffs on the Titans’ miraculous last-play touchdown return.’

Obviously, JetBlue Airways needs a better spell-checker!

‘For Polian, it was a chance to reminisce about his days as the Bills’ general manager. “Those were some really special times,” said the President and General Manager of the Indianapolis Colts. “Western New York remains a very special place to everyone in my family. Seeing all the guys again is very special.’

“Broncos officials said Friday the visit wasn’t finalized yet but any decision likely would be made before the staff goes on vacation after the team’s mini-camp Tuesday through Friday.”