Two Bills Drive

‘Flowers is the latest member of the Bills’ 2000 draft class — the last overseen by former general manager John Butler — to be released.’

‘4. 1971 Bills.’

In its 2002 valuation, the Bills showed an operating income of $29.4 million, seventh-best out of 30 teams. The magazine said the Bills generated revenue of $131 million. The high-standing income comes despite the fact that the Bills, playing in one of the NFL’s smallest markets, are rated just 25th in valuation at $458 million.

The Chargers are also looking for a backup running back, and there’s a chance that they’ll do something with the Bills with regard to that. The possibility is that one of their backup linebackers (possibly Orlando Ruff, a starter last year) will go to Buffalo for a running back.

Perhaps a position change is the next step for Flowers, who will most certainly be signed in the near future. In the NFL, speed on defense is held at a premium, and teams will be hard pressed to find a player with more pure, straight-ahead velocity than Erik Flowers. But as NFL teams are beginning to realize, there’s more to being a football player than speed.

‘Coach Gregg Williams said Ahanotu (whose name is pronounced CHEE-dee uh-HAHN-uh-too) would not play Saturday in Indianapolis.’

‘"The defense doesn’t have to be great because the offense is going to be pretty damn good," he said. "But if they stop the run on first down, now they can dictate to the offense and tee off on the quarterback in the passing game."’

Erik Flowers among the nine players released by the Bills.

Complete list:

Daryon Brutely, CB (Northern Iowa)

Erik Flowers, DE (Arizona State)

Demetrious Maxie, DT (UTEP)

Jeremy McDaniel, WR (Arizona)

Devonte Peterson, DT (Catawba)

David Priestley, QB (Pittsburgh)

Milton Proctor, S (Kansas State)

Marc Samuel, K (Georgetown)

Tom Schau, C (Illinois)

‘Ahanotu and Price bring a combined 18 seasons, 240 games and 47.5 career sacks to a defensive unit that’s raised nothing but red flags this preseason.’

‘Flowers, taken with the 26th pick by former general manager John Butler, started only six games. He had four sacks.’

‘To be sure, after the horrific play of the offensive line in 2001, bringing in just about anybody to bolster that unit qualified as an upgrade.’

‘"I was hoping for a winning record, but now it looks more like six or seven wins. We just can’t stop anyone with our defensive line."’

The Buffalo pass rush is so flimsy that it might be more productive to send threatening letters to enemy quarterbacks.

The Bills reshuffled their undermanned defensive line by signing veterans Shawn Price and Chidi Ahanotu, but they opened a roster spot by releasing 24-year-old defensive end Erik Flowers, the 26th player selected in the 2000 draft. Flower’s release was expected because he had fallen onto the third team in the defensive line rotation before the signings of Price and Ahanoto. The 273-pound Flower only started six games in two seasons and had only four sacks. The Bills invested a first-round choice in Flowers with the hopes of developing him into an every down pass-rusher. Foot problems slowed him, and his playing time diminished once Gregg Williams took over as head coach last season.

‘The Bills didn’t disclose financial terms. The National Football League’s minimum salary for players with nine years of experience is $650,000.’