Two Bills Drive

‘While the personality this Bills team will display remains to be determined, it is easily the most talented of coach Gregg Williams’ three teams in Buffalo, capable of winning that extra game or two it will take to make a run at a wild-card berth in the rugged AFC East.’

‘Player to watch: WR Clarence Coleman — Former Division II record-setter at Ferris State was on track to make the final roster after missing all of 2002 with a broken lower leg/ankle. He was such an afterthought; he didn’t make the Bills’ media guide but turned in big plays in each preseason game at wideout and punt returner.’

‘GM Tom Donahoe continues to deny reports that he’s shopping RB Olandis Gary. If young Joe Burns continues to develop as he has, however, Gary may become expendable for a third- or fourth-round pick.’

‘Thus, among his 13 veteran acquisitions were seven defenders. Three of those — outside linebackers Takeo Spikes and Jeff Posey and defensive tackle Sam Adams — are guaranteed starters, and three others — defensive ends Marcus Jones and Keith McKenzie and free safety Izell Reese — could join them.’

‘Brown’s injury complicates the Bills decisions in making their final cuts. Like most teams, the Bills would rather enter the regular season with only three quarterbacks on their roster. Now they must decide whether to: go with two healthy quarterbacks and keep Brown on the active roster while he’s injured; keep Brown and bring in a fourth quarterback; or reach an injury settlement with Brown to allow for his release and bring in a new third-stringer.’

‘This is where the plan might break down. Adams, who has been hailed as some sort of savior for the Bills, gradually wore out his welcome after a six-year run in Seattle, got his game in order and put together two Pro Bowl seasons with Baltimore, and then spent a nonproductive 2002 season with the Raiders, who cut him. He’s on the downside of a basically underachieving career. "Not here, he won’t be," Williams says. "Have you ever heard of a coach we have named Tim Krumrie?"’

”’He’s really taken the next step, going from a guy to being a guy that’s a legitimate NFL football player,” Bledsoe said. ”And we expect big things from him.”’

‘Henry’s injury isn’t expected to be serious, but there is a good chance he’ll sit this contest out. Veteran reserve RB Olandis Gary could see a bulk of the carries in this game.’

"If you’re a linebacker," said Spikes, "you dream about having a guy like Big Sam in front of you. Believe me, he isn’t (anonymous) to the guys playing with him. And to all those (offensive) linemen trying to move that big butt even an inch … well, they know what a load he can be, and how good he can make the run defense."

‘Moody concluded his playing career in ’80 with the Super Bowl XV-winning Oakland Raiders. He still lives in Northern California, and is an assistant principal at Mountain View High School in Mountain View, Calif.’

‘Bledsoe will see limited action Thursday against the Lions along with back-up quarterback Alex Van Pelt. Rookie quarterback Jason Johnson should see a lot of snaps against Detroit. Johnson re-signed with the Bills after being cut at the end of training camp. Third-string quarterback Travis Brown disclocated his middle finger, which made room for Johson.’

‘”We’re going to play James Stewart a little bit and then the other guys are going to have a chance to show what they can do again,” Mariucci said Tuesday.’

‘"With Alex, we wouldn’t miss a beat," veteran guard Ruben Brown said. "We have some inexperience on the offensive line and if someone went down there we might have some problems, but not at quarterback. With Alex, I think we have the best backup in the NFL."’

‘The move does not affect McGahee’s contract because it includes a clause that ensures he will get his full base salary of $411,000. Ordinarily, teams are not obligated to pay players’ base salary if they are placed on any of the reserve lists.’

‘” In a lot of ways, he’s a steal,” said offensive line coach Pat Ruel. ” Ben came into Iowa and started at left tackle as a true freshman, which freshmen don’t do.”‘