Two Bills Drive

This is a much stronger draft at QB than it is in free agency. This year, Carson Palmer, Byron Leftwich, Rex Grossman, Chris Simms, Kyle Bollar, Dave Ragone and Ken Dorsey lead a group that is being compared to the classes of ’83 and ’99. But things have changed in the NFL since the class of ’83 and club executives realize they’re dealing with a different set of circumstances these days.

The class of ’83 included Dan Marino, John Elway, Jim Kelly and Ken O’Brien. All four played for one NFL team their whole career. That will not be the case with this draft class or any other in the near future.

Biggest Decisions: Donahoe has to decide whether or not to keep Price or let him go through free agency. It isn’t an easy decision. If the Bills franchise Price, it throws the balance of their cap onto the offense, which will limit the ability to rebuild the defense. On the other side, can the Bills afford to lose a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver when they aren’t certain that Josh Reed is ready to take over for him. Odds favor the Bills letting Price go.

‘Miami reportedly is contemplating making a contract offer to Spikes despite Cincinnati’s plan to tag him as the team’s transition player.’

‘Riemersma, a Zeeland High School graduate, played football with the University of Michigan before joining the National Football League.’

I say use the money which might retain Price and use it on Spikes to help bring the Bills’ nearer to parity with its own attack. Defense wins. Donahoe saw Tampa Bay win the Super Bowl like everyone else did. He really doesn’t need to be convinced.

The Bills’ window of opportunity will last for two years, three at the most, then another salary-cap exodus will begin. What their defense needs most is a playmaker. Spikes answers that description. He’s also a team leader and a young one.

‘Tickets for the banquet are on sale and available through Tedeschi at 1-800-736-1890, with proceeds benefiting the Interval Brotherhood Home in Akron.’

‘Voting on this category will run from Friday, Feb. 14 to Sunday, Feb. 16.’

‘This year, $40,000 will be presented to area charities from funds that were raised at the Bills Alumni golf tournament held last September.’

‘Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame president Ron Melquist has announced that Buffalo Bills tight end Jay Riemersma, who will be the guest speaker at the 22nd annual induction dinner, will appear at the Hall of Fame museum Monday afternoon.’

‘”I’ll reiterate it, we’re very happy with Gregg,” Donahoe said.’

”’I’m not optimistic at this time, quite honestly. But, you never know,” Price’s agent Tim McGee said. ”It may be unrealistic because it may not be cost-effective (for the Bills).”’

”’We made it clear to his agent and Jay last year when we talked about it,” Donahoe said. ”We said, ‘We’ll live with it for another year but, going into 2003, there’s no way we can afford that number.””

‘Tonight is the big birthday bash for Hunter Kelly. The party is held every year for the son of former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly and his wife, Jill…Hunter’s Day of Hope begins tonight at Chestnut Ridge Park at 5 p.m.’

‘But I’m betting he’s neither franchise nor transition.’

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