Two Bills Drive

‘The Buffalo Bills haven’t practiced at their new training camp at St. John Fisher College yet, but owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. already has proclaimed the move a success. The campus will make its official debut as the Bills’ summer home today. "We’re excited about being here," Wilson said during a news conference. "Everything looks fantastic."’

"Meanwhile, talks between the Bills and Flowers are continuing. Neither Butler nor Flowers’ agent, Eric Metz, could be reached for comment. Both had expressed confidence last week that an agreement would be made soon. Bills coach Wade Phillips said Flowers can’t afford a long layoff. "At some point it will hurt young players not to be here, but it’s not to that point right now," Phillips said. "It’s hard for both sides to get exactly what they want. But I’m not into the business side of it. I’m into the football part. Whoever’s out there, I’m going to coach them."’

‘Reed said he contemplated retirement but a chance to get that elusive Super Bowl ring was too hard to pass up. "I wanted to finish out on my own terms and come to a team that has a good rep, a good coach and good players and fit into a situation. It worked out for me. I’m happy to be here," he said.’

‘"We have a large stadium in Buffalo. And in the present environment of the National Football League, (Buffalo) is going to have a very difficult time supporting this franchise," Wilson said. "So we have to reach out to Rochester and Syracuse and across Western New York to establish ourselves as a Western New York franchise.’

‘New location. Revamped team. Combined, they made Wade Phillips feel like a rookie head coach again Thursday as the Buffalo Bills prepared to open training camp. "I’m excited about being here as I am every year, but I think even more so this year — it’s something new," said Phillips. "It seems like the first year I was here. The excitement is there because it’s something new. "I think that helps. I think that’ll help our football team respond the right way."’

‘Reed went to the Super Bowl four times with the Bills but never came home a winner. He believes Shanahan may help him get that elusive championship ring. "I just heard tremendous things about him from people around the league," Reed said. "It’s no secret that he’s a proven winner and what kind of show he runs here. He just wants guys to win, and that’s why I’m here. I told Mike that I just want to taste (winning a Super Bowl) one time. I think I had the best chance of doing that by coming here."’

‘Giancola will be trying to land the placekicking job currently held by veteran Steve Christie, but a more realistic outcome would have him handling strictly the kickoff duties…Bills coach Wade Phillips was impressed with Giancola’s performance during the team’s first mini-camp in the spring, but said the rookie faces a formidable task in unseating Christie. “Steve’s an awfully good kicker and has been for a long time,” said Phillips, measuring his words carefully. “I don’t know that Giancola can do that, but maybe he can do some things that we need. If he can help us with kickoffs, then he has a chance to make the team. But if he’s not a whole lot better than Steve as far as kickoffs are concerned, then I’d think he’d have a tough time making the team. But if he can, then he has a chance.”‘

‘”I have no choice but to deal with it and I will, I’ll be ready,” Flutie said. “Chances are I’m going to get a chance to step on the field at some point. In what capacity whether it’s filling in, mopping up or taking over for a segment of the season who knows? “But it is my job to be ready when that opportunity comes.”‘

‘At 9:30 a.m. Friday, the Bills will start their three-week training camp. As they settled in, the players gave the set-up at Fisher good reviews. "The facilities look beautiful," Flutie said. "I’m sure the crowds will be bigger down here in Rochester." Defensive end Marcellus Wiley was equally impressed. "When I drove up, it looked like a carnival over here," Wiley said. ". . . You can see it’s set up to be something big." The camp was put together by Fisher, the Bills and Wegman’s Food Markets Inc., the main sponsor. "This was my first look at the camp," said Wegmans CEO Robert Wegman. "I think Rochester is in for a treat."’

‘At 37, Flutie doesn’t think he’s had his last hurrah. Given Johnson’s history of injuries, it’s quite likely he will be called upon at some point again, just as in ’98 when he guided the Bills to a 7-3 record and a playoff berth after Johnson injured his ribs.’

‘Flutie’s one-day camp had been put together by Wegman’s Food Markets Inc., the training camp’s main sponsor. Jo Natale, a Wegman’s spokesman, said 5,000 young people ages 9-14 had entered the drawing for spots at the camp. Talks on nutrition and other issues were mixed in with the activities. The campers were also given lunch featuring the Flutie’s Favorite Sub marketed by Wegmans.’

‘Tillman agreed to a four-year, $2.1 million contract, and his agent, Ben Dogra of St. Louis, said his client is looking forward to starting his NFL career. "He is very excited," said Dogra. "It was his goal to be in camp on time and he will. He recognizes this is a great opportunity for him and he wants to seize it." Tillman is a free safety, and that is a position that will be up for grabs in camp because of the free agent departure of six-year starter Kurt Schulz. Tillman will compete with Daryl Porter and Keion Carpenter, backups last season.’

‘"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 offseason," veteran strong safety Henry Jones said. "It was a time to clear the air for us and to say, ‘OK, every year there’s change, the only difference this year is that some veterans who were here a very long time are gone.’ But that just means some guys are going to have to step up and play."’

‘Though he has not seen the Bills do any type of work since their wild-card playoff loss to Tennessee in January, Clayton — as he does every team in the league — has a good feel for what to expect from the Bills this season. "They’ve been drafting well year after year, that’s the one thing this franchise has done, they’ve brought in good athletes and because of that, they have a chance," he said. "And this division is the most changed in the league. Every team has taken a step back except Indianapolis. "I think Indy has the best team and there’s going to be a battle for the No. 2 spot between Buffalo and Miami and right now I think Buffalo has the advantage."’

‘Buffalo Bills coach Wade Phillips said only two players will not participate in the opening workout. Defensive end Marcellus Wiley is recovering from lower back surgery, and free agent cornerback Courtney Jackson will be placed on the injured reserve list and will miss the entire season after blowing out his knee during the last mini-camp in June. Also, Erik Flowers’ situation remained up in the air as of last night. As for the rest of the players, Phillips expects everyone to be in tip top shape and ready to work.’