Two Bills Drive

‘Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Rob Johnson was down but not out yesterday, practising despite battling stomach cramps. Feeling ill for the last few days, Johnson had antibiotics delivered to his room at about 2:30 a.m. EDT yesterday, coach Wade Phillips said.’

‘They asked the former Buffalo Bills offensive line coach to cast aside the strongest NFL bond he forged over a 37-year career and help the AFC East rival Dolphins. Bresnahan responded in heroic fashion. He was on a cross-country flight the next morning . . . and on the field coaching Miami’s linemen the morning after that. "There was no decision to make," Bresnahan says. "I mean, I checked with my wife, but she was going to urope with her sister and I wasn’t invited — I would have been scrambling."’

‘The team’s first-round draft choice out of Arizona State ended his four-day contract holdout late Sunday, and was on the field for the first time yesterday at St. John Fisher College. All eyes are fixed on No. 96, the first defensive end drafted by the Bills since a guy named Bruce Smith back in 1985. With Smith now wearing Washington Redskins colors and veteran Marcellus Wiley recovering from back surgery, Flowers will get immediate playing time, something that should help his career blossom sooner than normal. "He’s ready to play. He obviously has been working out," coach Wade Phillips said. "He didn’t miss anything we didn’t go over in our June mini-camp, so he seemed to fit right in."’

‘"I hate the cold," he said at training camp yesterday. "And I’ve seen about two inches of snow in my whole life. So where do I end up? Buffalo." Somebody down here likes Cavil, too. The Buffalo Bills. "He’s looking pretty good," Eric Moulds said. "He’s big, fast and strong. That’s hard to find in a receiver."’

‘Artificial turf causes wear and tear on the joints of the body, not to mention scrapes and "turf burns" to the skin during a fall or tackle. That’s why all the drills are taking place on the grass practice fields. "You want to save your knees and legs and everything," punter Chris Mohr said. "We’ve always practiced on grass. We don’t even practice on the Astroturf in Buffalo." That goes for the kickers, too. "The grass is just so much easier on the body," kicker Steve Christie said. "I’d rather stay on the grass as long as possible."’

‘The couple met about five years ago at a concert, and the first questions Gary asked were: Do you smoke and Who’s your favorite football team? Shari answered "No" to the first one and "Bills" to the second. "When she told me Bills, I said, ‘That’s so cool,’ " said Gary, whose late father hooked him on the team years ago. When Bills officials heard the Kums were on their honeymoon, they invited the couple to the camp’s VIP section. Following the morning practice, Gary and Shari began their Finger Lakes vacation. They hope to take in a regular-season game at Ralph Wilson Stadium this fall.’

‘Christie has been with the Bills for nine seasons, and in that time he has broken most of the team records for kicking and scoring. But the 59-yard field goal and the 12 game-winning three-pointers pale in comparison to his work with Camp Good Days and Special Times. Continuing a tradition begun by former Bills kicker Scott Norwood, Christie donates money to the camp for each field goal he converts. Camp founder and director Gary Mervis says Christie has helped raise more than a quarter of a million dollars since becoming involved. The money has been used to construct a 35- by 18-foot arts and crafts building on the campgrounds near Keuka Lake.’

‘The Bills worked in their dime defense for a substantial amount of the afternoon practice. The dime line consisted of Erik Flowers at left end, Shawn Price at left tackle, Phil Hansen at right tackle and Sam Rogers at right end. Rogers, of course, is filling in for the injured Wiley.’

‘Four days late, rookie defensive end Erik Flowers felt like all eyes were on him Monday morning. “It kind of reminds you of being a little five-year-old going to kindergarten class, but being late and everybody’s watching you as you walk through the door,” Flowers said after making his debut at Buffalo Bills training camp. “I was a little nervous during the beginning of the drills. But things started to fit in a little bit.”‘

‘Regarding Buffalo’s many off-season moves, Levy said he became sentimental when the team cut veterans Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed last February. “I hated to see those three last remnants of all four Super Bowls go,” he said, adding that he called all three of them the day after it was announced. “But I realize that faces change. When I first started coaching, Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones were on the team I was coaching. It changes.” Still, Levy remains impressed with his former team. “If I’m into predictions, and I will do this on my show, I’m going to say it’s Indianapolis or Buffalo in the (AFC) East,” Levy said. “(The Bills) have good depth at quarterback, excellent receivers. I’m impressed how they’ve kept the team going.”‘

‘Former Syracuse University wide receiver David Byrd reportedly packed his belongings and left the Buffalo Bills training camp Sunday, stating he needed to attend to family problems, according to a source close to the NFL team…The Buffalo Bills signed rookie defensive end Erik Flowers on Sunday, the last of the team’s eight draft picks to sign.’

The 15th castaway has been voted off Buffalo Bills Island, leaving only one survivor standing – Mr. Buffalo Bill! The voting wasn’t lopsided, but it wasn’t close either. The vote count was 110 to 64. Who won – Kelly or Tasker?

‘Critics have said Flutie needs to stop wallowing in self-pity and get over it. They feel his constant harping on the past might have a negative effect on the team’s preparation for the season. Don’t buy it. It’s highly doubtful Flutie’s words bother the Bills one bit. If fact, they are glad to have a backup who believes he is worthy of being a starter. Furthermore, Phillips knows his team is in great shape at quarterback with a talented young starter and a proven veteran in reserve. You can count on one finger the number of NFL teams who have the same luxury.’

‘”I’m not tired of hearing it (avoiding injury problems) because I want to do it,” he said. “It’s good motivation. I haven’t done it yet. A lot of quarterbacks get hurt. You just have to stay away from the big injury. The hits you take, with the size of the guys hitting you, you’re going to get some bumps and bruises week to week. You just have to avoid the things that keep you out a long time.” “I can play with pain. It’s not that. It’s just the injuries I’ve had. The ribs are tough to play with quarterback-wise because it’s tough to throw. The head was a fluke thing that I hope never happens again. I just have to stay away from the unlucky breaks.”‘

‘So Flowers’ deal figured to fall between $5.5 million and $6 million over five years with a signing bonus of $2 million to $2.5 million.’