Two Bills Drive

‘Bills second-round draft pick Travares Tillman agreed to terms Thursday, leaving only first-rounder Erik Flowers unsigned. Tillman was expected to arrive in Pittsford, N.Y., in time for the team’s first training-camp meeting, at 7 p.m.’

"He’s so smooth that sometimes it seems he’s not moving so fast," said Johnson, whose superior arm strength should boost the a 6.10 yards per pass play rating that ranked in the middle of the NFL statistics last season. "Peerless sort of glides by people and then, when the ball is in the air, he kicks it into another gear and really goes after that thing."

‘Sensing he had more to lose by missing training camp, safety Travares Tillman, a second-round draft pick, agreed to a four-year deal worth more than $2.1 million with the Buffalo Bills on Thursday…"It’s a good deal for everyone. We’re glad to get it rectified because it wasn’t worth it for him to hold out,” Dogra said. "We were very close, the difference was so minute, it made sense to get the deal done. … You’ve got to seize the opportunity."’

"I lost a nice amount of weight, but I’m not telling how much," he said. "I took it upon myself to get a new diet, without starving myself, and a lot of treadmill, bike, Stairmaster. I took a six-week program, and I’d say I’m 90 percent better and stronger coming into this year than last year. I have a better look, attitude, feel, more strength, everything."

‘"It was just a matter of time,” Reed said of his contract negotiations. "I wanted to finish on my own terms and go where I thought I could fit in. I think that’s here."’

‘The switch came down to numbers. Chautauqua County, where Fredonia sits on the northern edge, lists a population of just under 140,000. Rochester’s Monroe County has over 700,000. While the Bills rarely drew 1,000 fans in a day at Fredonia State, they’re hoping for five times that many at St. John Fisher. “The move to Rochester has been a major success for us”, said team owner Ralph Wilson Jr. “It gives us a presence in an area we’re trying to promote as a regional franchise. “Fredonia was great to us, but it’s not centrally located … people wouldn’t drive there. I was surprised how few fans came to camp last year”. And, oh yeah, the Bills sell 20 percent of their tickets in Monroe County, 14 percent in Rochester alone.’

‘The Bills are addressing the demand for autographs this camp by creating the McDonald’s Kids Autograph Tent. Children under the age of 14 will have a chance to get autographs following each practice session. Three players per session will be available for 15 minutes, and each child will be able to have one item signed. Because of high demand, the lines will be cut off at a certain point. The Bills want to avoid a situation in which a child stands in line but doesn’t reach the players’ table during the 15-minute signing period.’

‘The Bills’ staff was busy getting ready for the coaches and players, all of whom are to be on campus by 4 p.m. Thursday. "We’re working diligently," said Russ Brandon, the Bills’ vice president for marketing, just before he ran off to take care of another detail. All of the players and staff will stay in dorms at Fisher.’

‘Never in the team’s 40 years have the two facets of football, the game, and football, the business, been so intertwined. Only 10 years ago, Buffalo’s marketing staff consisted of one person; it now numbers near 30. For 19 summers, the team was content to train in sleepy Fredonia, Chautauqua County, drawing a couple hundred fans per practice on average. In Rochester, the Bills’ second-largest fan base with tentacles that can reach as far east as Albany, they expect crowds in excess of 5,000. The Bills say they can’t survive into the new millennium without becoming a regional franchise, much like a Green Bay or a Kansas City or a New England. "This is about the long-term viability of our franchise," said Russ Brandon, vice president of business development and marketing.’

‘Talks with the agents for Flowers and Tillman were ongoing yesterday, but when asked if he’d get the two young defenders the Bills are counting on heavily this season under contract on time, Butler wouldn’t say. "I have no idea, and I never do until a deal is done," he said.’

‘"Last year I started every game, but I wasn’t into playing as a starter. They made me feel like I wasn’t even there. I just didn’t want to be there. That’s the bottom line. And I have nothing against the organization. I had some great years there. I was able to play with some Hall of Fame players and be coached by a Hall of Fame coach in Marv Levy. I will never downgrade some of the years that I had there. "It’s just that last year left a bad taste in my mouth about the organization and about football, period. I vowed to myself if I get another chance to play, I’m going to go out on my own terms."’

‘Reed, the NFL’s No. 2 all-time receiver, visited the Broncos complex Wednesday. He might be a natural fit as the No. 3 receiver. He also provides insurance should the league further discipline Rod Smith following his guilty plea in a domestic dispute.’

‘Buffalo Bills: Here’s one the kids will love — give your $10 admission fee to ticket taker Doug Flutie! He’ll have plenty of spare time while Rob Johnson steers the offense in practice. Pat Doug on the head! See if your kid is taller than he is! Try to win your second consecutive jump ball against an NFL player!’ (Thanks to CW for submitting this link).

‘Russ Brandon is quick to note that his Buffalo Bills are the only NFL team in New York state. The New York Giants and Jets, their monikers aside, technically are residents of The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J. But geographical quibbles aside, Brandon and the Bills hold no illusions about becoming the state’s official football team. The fanatics behind the Giants and Jets have a firm grip on the turf of New York City and its environs. Beyond those boundaries, however, the Bills figure the rest of the state is up for grabs. And that fight to win the upstate fan’s allegiance is why the Bills have moved into new summer digs a mere 75 minutes west of Syracuse.’