Two Bills Drive

Honorable mention All-ACC guard…first-team Strength All-American in 2001…started at three positions over his Clemson career…second on the Tigers in knockdown blocks in 2001 with 130…finished his career strong with 13 in the win over Louisiana Tech in the Humanitarian Bowl.

‘He was flagged for a team-high seven pass interference or illegal contact penalties. He also had one other penalty, a roughing-the-kicker call in New York on a 26-yard field-goal attempt. It gave the Jets first-and-goal at the 4 and started New York on the path to an easy win.’

‘Buffalo Bills: Rolling dice on McGahee, but why not gamble on potential greatness? Second-round DE Chris Kelsay is first-round talent. Next three picks (LB Angelo Crowell, CB Terrence McGee and WR Sam Aiken) provide depth and special teams help. Grade: B.’

Another player who was taken too early was RB Willis McGahee, but it wasn’t to fill a need. That’s what makes the Bills’ 1st round selection even harder to figure. McGahee is not expected to be able to help the Bills much this season, and his ability to overcome the physical and mental barriers associated with tearing three knee ligaments is questionable. In the 1st round, risk should be at an absolute minimum.

“We had fun.”

-Tom Donahoe, on this year’s draft

Second-best line of the night: emcee John Murphy asked TD (who had a root canal earlier in the day) whether he’d rather have three root canals or one telephone conversation with Drew Rosenhaus. That one got a big laugh.

‘Instead of the six-year, $38 million deal with a $10.5 million bonus that San Diego gave LaDainian Tomlinson — the last running back chosen in the top 5 back in 2001 — the market for McGahee is more like five years, $7.5 million with a $3.2 million bonus.’

‘Watson struggled as the third cornerback last year, eventually losing his job to rookie Kevin Thomas at the end of the season. Earlier this month, the Bills signed free agent cornerback Dainon Sidney.’

‘Watson’s struggles in pass coverage last season led Bills fans to wonder, "What took you so long?"’

‘The Bills signed free agent cornerback Dainon Sidney earlier this month, making Watson expendable.’

‘Overall Draft Grade: C+’

Jim Kelly was drafted with the 14th overall pick in 1983.

Last year, on the second day of the draft, he engineered a trade with the Patriots that brought quarterback Drew Bledsoe and a lot of enthusiasm to Orchard Park. It’s fair to say Buffalo didn’t stand pat this year. About the only bigger surprise (outside of the Bills’ draft-room) would have been if NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced, ‘With the 23rd selection of the 2003 NFL draft, the Buffalo Bills select … LeBron James.’

The Bills today announced that the team has released CB Chris Watson. Watson spent the last three seasons with the Bills and played in 44 games and made 13 starts over that span.

The team has agreed to terms on a contract with OL T.J. Watkins, who was with the Seattle Seahawks as an UDFA during the 2002 preseason. Watkins played collegiately at Clemson, where he played both guard and tackle.

‘That same little voice telling me the Bills just might roll the dice for McGahee, is now telling me not to be at all surprised, if one Willis McGahee is on the field by that time in a Bills uniform, making life miserable for the pro team he grew up watching.’

Good athlete who has made strides as a pass blocker…Has large, soft hands and quickness getting off the line.