Two Bills Drive

”’Be patient,” Bills fullback Jonathan Linton said. ”We’d like to get to everybody, but sometimes we can’t. It gets even worse when somebody is willing to trample someone else for a signature. Especially when it’s an adult. The kids are the most important people to autograph for.” Linton admits that players are more likely to sign for a child than an adult, but doesn’t advise people to ”borrow” children to get an autograph. There are more prudent ways for older fans to ask players for a signature. The best time to ask a player for an autograph is after the second or afternoon practice, not earlier in the day. It is also wise to know where to ask for a signature. Although many Rochester residents may see Bills players at local hangouts or eating at area restaurants, these are not the best places to ask.’

‘The bottom line was the bottom line: Fredonia is about 40 miles southwest of Buffalo in Chautauqua County, a county with an estimated 137,431 residents. Monroe County, home of the Bills’ new summer home at St. John Fisher College, has an estimated 712,419 residents.’

‘The Bills do have a close tie to the Wings with Russ Brandon, one of the key players in the team’s decision to move its camp to Fisher. Brandon, a Fisher graduate and the Bills vice president of business development and marketing, served as Red Wings assistant general manager with Mason in the early 1990s. ”Hopefully we’ll help them sell some tickets during their regular season and they’ll help us during our season,” Mason says.’

‘The defensive unit of the Buffalo Bills has taken a few hits even before training camp. The Sporting News Pro Football 2000 annual ranks the 31 NFL teams in a variety of categories.’

‘Marcellus Wiley walked unaided into the media room of the Bills’ new administration building Friday. That was good news, and it was even better news that he seemed to be in new shape than the room that doesn’t yet look moved into.

‘…the ring belonged to [Chuck] Burr, an assistant general manager and public relations director for the Bills at the time. Oddly enough, Burr mentioned the ring to [Denny] Lynch two weeks ago, when Lynch called him about a 35th reunion for the Bills’ 1965 championship team.’

‘The Bills report the surgery to repair a bulging disc in Wiley’s lower back was successful. He is expected to return to action in four to six weeks. "Steve McNair had a similar thing last year during the season and missed five regular-season games," said Bills coach Wade Phillips, referring to the Tennessee Titans quarterback. "I’d say it’s somewhere in there, which would put us at the end of the preseason. Maybe he’ll be able to play in the last preseason game."’

‘…the ring belonged to team’s former public relations director and assistant general manager Chuck Burr, who in 1970 lost it at the beach, about 15 miles west of Buffalo. Burr had been given the ring after the Bills, led by quarterback Jack Kemp, won their first AFL championship with a 20-7 win over San Diego.’

‘Reportedly, the deal is three years for just under $900,000, with a $26,000 signing bonus. Haddad will be there when training camp opens next Thursday. Haddad’s best chance to make an impact as a rookie is on punt returns. The Bills have no veteran returner on the roster.’

‘Moore, the third-round draft choice of the Buffalo Bills, on Thursday reached a three-year contract agreement. The deal is worth $1.201 million and it includes a $375,000 signing bonus and base salaries of $193,000 (2000), $275,000 (2001) and $358,000 (2002). The agreement leaves first-round pick defensive end Erik Flowers and second-round free safety Travares Tillman as the only unsigned members of Buffalo’s 2000 draft class.’

July 2 to July 8 (in alphabetical order by subject). This is a weekly collection of the fans’ most interesting posts on The Stadium Wall message board. Posts will be highlighted each week on the Shout!/TBD web site. Posts from the previous week follow the new posts.

‘The 11th castaway has been voted off Buffalo Bills Island. This former DT was the heart of the Bills defense back in the mid-60’s. If it wasn’t for a knee injury that forced him to retire in 1968, he could have had a Hall of Fame career. ‘

‘Shout!’s annual training camp issue will be out on newstands July 14. Here’s an article on the players’ camp itinerary. The issue also includes defensive unit overviews and a complete analysis of how the Bills will use their tight ends and wide receivers. Call 1-800-932-4557 to get your copy.’

‘"The Bills have a good reputation of treating their players fairly," [Flowers’ agent Eric] Metz said. "We’re making progress with Erik, and I’m sure we’ll be able to get a deal done by next week."’

‘Buffalo has 21 victories and a pair of playoff berths in Phillips’ first two seasons, and he’s already lasted longer than he did in Denver. But with the divisions’s toughest schedule and a younger team than Bills fans have grown used to, a third trip to the first round is anything but assured.’