Two Bills Drive

‘Milloy will earn $7 million this season in base salary and bonus with the Bills instead of $6 million over two years, which was New England’s final offer. The rugged 6-foot, 210-pounder – who averaged 121 tackles a season for the Patriots – will also get to play in a defensive system that will use him near the line of scrimmage. The Patriots had gotten away from using him in that role and his statistics fell off sharply in 2002.’

‘Smart? No. But it just shows how confident Belichick is. Or arrogant.’

‘”Buffalo is one of our most mature and most successful markets,” said Philip Yawman, executive vice president of corporate development for Choice One. “Our partnership with the Buffalo Bills has had a significant impact on our visibility and brand in Buffalo and throughout Western New York.”‘

‘Sure, Milloy told the media he was impressed with how eager the Bills were to get him. But you have to wonder with Dan Snyder in the bidding war – quite possibly offering money exceeding that of Buffalo’s offer – if a desire to spite Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick and company helped the Bills’ cause.’

‘The steel-shouldered Gash, back here for a second time after a three-year stint with Baltimore, said Milloy can count on better days here. He had a six-year stay in New England and, similar to Milloy, didn’t like how his New England experience ended. “I told him I’m glad to see him and said, `It’s about time,’ ” said Gash. “I’m very happy to see him, and obviously, I think he’s going to mean a great deal to this team.”‘

‘Specifically, Milloy, though it’s difficult to imagine him playing a key role in Buffalo’s defense mere days after joining it, figures to be able to assist his new teammates, particularly one new old teammate (quarterback Drew Bledsoe), in deciphering the Patriots’ coverages, audibles, and formations. “We will have to pay particular attention to some of the things like that, the communication signals, the play calling, and so forth,” Belichick said. “Nobody knew our defense any better than Lawyer did over the last three years. He handled a lot of the audibles and checks in the secondary.”‘

‘Poston said the Redskins offered more money over seven- and five-year terms, but he wanted the certainty of up-front cash, and Bills owner Ralph Wilson stepped up.’

‘They’re already calling it “The Incest Bowl.”’

‘“I think he has a lot to prove and I think he’ll make the whole defense better, even the team better,” Fauria said. “He’s not a defensive leader, he’s a team leader. I hate to say it. He’s a friend but he’s the enemy now and that’s weird.”’

‘On the other side of the coin, another veteran was asked if Milloy’s release had demoralized some players. “Hell, yes,” said the veteran. “Let me ask you, what does it mean to be a captain around here? What does it mean to get one of those parking spots (for being among the team leaders in offseason workouts, which Milloy was)? I see that `Iron-man’ T-shirt hanging in his locker (given to those players who participated in every training camp practice) – what does that get you?’

‘A bigger problem is what Milloy can tell the Bills about the Patriots. Although Belichick and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel don’t give the defenders that Sunday’s game plan until Wednesday – a day after Milloy was dumped for refusing to take a pay cut – Milloy’s knowledge of the Patriots defense is almost unsurpassed.’

‘”I would expect our defense to be a little more stingier this year than they were last year,” Buffalo quarterback Drew Bledsoe said, “and I would expect our offensive production to remain high. The real goal for us this year is to eliminate some of the mistakes that put us behind the eight-ball in some games.”‘

‘”Nobody knew our defense better than Lawyer did over the past three years. He handle a lot of audibles and checks in the secondary. I know he knows it and knows it well.”‘

‘One thing the Patriots have in their favor now that they didn’t have last year is an improved pass rush. If they can put heat on Bledsoe — who’s not a terribly elusive sort — that can cover a multitude of sins in the secondary.’

‘Maybe more important will be the way the Bills decide to deploy Milloy. He is talented. And he will be motivated. The Bills will want him on the field. But Milloy will be working virtually without a net if Buffalo opts to use him extensively. If he messes up a coverage — and working with an unfamiliar secondary group, that’s not out of the question — the Patriots will be ready to make him pay.’