Two Bills Drive

‘”It was like going from a truck to a Rolls Royce,” said former Bills safety John Pitts. “The War Memorial had its great moments and great days, but that was a dive. But the people there in Buffalo, I don’t think you could find no more committed and loyal fans. We used to race off the field because whoever got in the shower first – you got hot water. If you were the last one, the water was going to be cold. Even the guys that were injured, you could see them sprinting off the field. You could just stay back and see if that injury is real or if they’re just faking.”‘

‘The Bills are one of only three teams in the league that have two former No. 1 draft picks starting at corner. The others are Oakland (Charles Woodson and Phillip Buchanan) and Pittsburgh (Chad Scott and Dewayne Washington). That isn’t to say Clements and Winfield have proved themselves to be one of the top three tandems in the league. Miami, for instance, had two Pro Bowl corners last year in Sam Madison (a first-rounder) and Patrick Surtain (a second-rounder). Nevertheless, it’s a good situation for the Bills.’

‘A larger-than-usual preseason crowd of more than 50,000 is expected for tonight’s game, in part due to the Bills’ Kids Day promotion. Tickets for children age 14 and under can be purchased for $8 at all Tops Friendly Markets or at the stadium box office.’

‘The Buffalo Niagara Partnership will host its annual season kickoff banquet with the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.’

‘” I wouldn’t say this game solidifies who we’ll be this year, but this is big. We’re playing at home, before our fans, and we need to get them pumped up for the home opener.”‘

‘Bills coach Gregg Williams will play his starters the entire first half, which is normally how it goes at this point in the preseason.’

‘Kurt Warner did everything but throw deep against Tampa Bay. Warner should play more than he did against the Bucs but that depends partly on the play of the patchwork offensive line. If they struggle, or get nicked up, Warner may make an early exit.’

‘”London’s such a terrific guy. He’s what football’s all about. That personality, the toughness, the passion and enthusiasm he brings to a team. We miss him, obviously, miss his personality. We wish him the best.”‘

‘”Big London is going to be out there making noise and trying to do all he can, I’m sure,” Jackson said. “Knowing him the way I do, it doesn’t matter that it’s the preseason. We could be playing flag football, and if he was playing the Rams, I think he would be ready to roll.”‘

‘As for Willis McGahee, Donahoe said, “He’ll start the year inactive and then I think after Week 6, if things are going well, he’ll be in uniform if everything has progresses according to plan.”‘

”’We need to address some of the mistakes that we had. And we need to be a little sharper in our execution,” Bledsoe said. ”Those are two things that we have to get done in the last few days that we have before we head into the regular season.”’

‘Pucillo’s competitor for the position, Marques Sullivan, is working as backup left tackle. Sullivan is feeling more comfortable on the outside of the line than he did at right guard.’

‘"I’d like to thank the Bills organization, Mr. (Ralph) Wilson and Tom Donahoe, who are great people," Graves said. "I think I’ve been very fortunate to catch it very early. The doctors did a great job, and my recovery has been very good."’

‘” Everybody’s fast and they’re good (in the NFL). In Division I-AA, some people are good and some people are not, but now everybody’s good.”‘

‘The scouting report on the Hamilton native — who signed as a free agent after being bypassed in the NFL draft –says he’s a good pass-blocker with speed and great catching ability. There’s room for two more tight ends on the Bills, including one more on the practice roster. Thomas hopes to occupy one of the open spots next to veteran tight ends Dave Moore and Mark Campbell after final cuts are made on Aug. 31.’