Two Bills Drive

Besides his regionalism concept, Giambra knows sometime in the next 24 months he has to sit down with the Buffalo Bills and talk about their lease, which has an escape clause after the 2003 season.

“I’d prefer to sit down with them now and start negotiations,” Giambra said.

Giambra has met informally with Bills owner Ralph Wilson Jr., but their meetings have been more social than anything else. “The Bills are a very important piece to this community,” Giambra said.

‘”I think he’s a slam dunk,” said Felser, who will lead the campaign to get Kelly inducted when the voters meet on Feb. 2 in New Orleans.’

‘Johnson and Fina come with hefty salaries that Houston would inherit.’

‘John Fina, the last link to the Buffalo Bills’ four Super Bowl seasons, is among the five players the team has placed on the National Football League expansion draft list, his agent said Tuesday.’

Two names have been leaked to the Buffalo Press of names to be put on expansion list – Raion Hill, starting safety last year, and Avion Black, part-time WR and full time special teams player. Nothing published on Empire web site so keep reading the Stadium Wall for reports.

"I think the Patriots will win," says Tom Donahoe, the Bills’ general manager. "The final score might be 3-2. This will be one of those knockdown-dragout, old-fashioned games in which every inch will be hard to come by. I am going to ride the hot horse all the way to the Super Bowl. There is something special going on with them, and the players have totally bought into it and totally believe in it, and I think it will carry them to New Orleans."

There may have been flashier running backs in the Buffalo Bills storied history. Surely there was one who had the best season ever for the team. But there was no runner who was better all-round than Thurman Thomas.

Vic Carucci makes the case that the Patriots, like the Bills when they rallied from a 32-point deficit in 1993 to win an overtime wild-card game against the Houston Oilers, might be a team of destiny who are going to win despite playing better teams.

‘Other players with suspect futures on the team and who would represent cap savings to the Bills if taken by Houston are cornerback Ken Irvin ($4.2 million) and defensive end Erik Flowers ($1.1 million).’

Donahoe admits that the team’s decision to chop away salary cap excess made for a tough 2001 season. “We were up front with the people what we were doing and what we were trying to do.” he said.

‘Your kind words over the course of my career left impressions that will not be forgotten. The heart of Western New York is its working class people and I, for one, am grateful to have been associated with this community and its citizens.’

‘Last year’s draft, Donahoe’s first, added five starters. The next draft will need at least that many to push the Bills toward progress in 2002.’

‘Kelly was all football player. Two weeks from now, if there is any justice in the world, he will realize his life’s dream when he is voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.’

‘The other prime candidates to be on the Bills’ list appear to be cornerback Ken Irvin, tight end Scot Osborne, tackle Kris Farris, receiver Avion Black, safety Raion Hill, linebacker DaShon Polk and defensive tackle Leif Larsen.’

‘He retired maybe a season or two too soon. But he retired for the right reasons. "My focus, after Hunter was born, had to be somewhere else," Kelly said.’