Two Bills Drive

With Thomas Smith signing with the Bears, Antoine Winfield is the starting RCB. Winfield said it was his plan to start at cornerback in 2000 all along, regardless if Smith were on the team. In this player column, Winfield talks about his off-season.

A list of Fox’s best 31 picks (best #1 pick, best #2 pick) since the AFL/NFL merger. Ignore Ronnie Lott on the list – it is a pat on the back to their broadcaster.

Jim Kelly (with one ‘e’ please) made it as the best ever #14 pick

as well as John Elway and Marino.

Joe DeLamielleure (OG) made it as best ever #26 pick

Chris Spielman made it as #29 but the Bills did not draft him and he was a 2nd round pick that year.

Two weeks into free agency, it’s one player back, two gone and a bunch more leaving town for the Bills. Half of the starting secondary has left the salary-cap-strapped team, and tight end Jay Riemersma has become the crown jewel because the team can’t afford higher-priced players.

‘As for [Reuben] Brown, while the Dolphins have talked to agent Eric Metz twice a week since free agency began on Feb. 11, they have yet to set up a visit…Brown’s asking price of $4.5 million per season is still too high for the Dolphins, who don’t want to pay an interior offensive lineman that kind of money. “There’s no doubt about his ability,” Boudreau said of Brown. “He’s made three straight Pro Bowls for a good reason. His play has gotten him there. But as a lot of guys find out, there’s just not much money out there for a lot of teams.”’

‘Wannstedt said that, contrary to some reports, the Dolphins haven’t begun to arrange a visit for Buffalo guard Ruben Brown. “It’s not because of his playing ability,” Wannstedt said, inferring that it is the $5 million to $6 million salary demand. “We’ve talked to his people once a week since free agency started. But I don’t want to waste our time and money unless we feel there is something worth talking about.”‘