Two Bills Drive

If every player in the league prepared in the offseason as well as Bills strong safety Coy Wire, coaches would have a lot less to scream about on game days. In addition to getting his body in top condition, Wire works overtime in the film room trying to understand his assignments, technique and opposing offenses.

Players work from about 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. The goal is for the newcomers to hit the ground running when training camp starts. "It’s got to help a lot," said defensive end Chris Kelsay, Buffalo’s second-round pick out of Nebraska. "They expect the rookies to know their stuff and know their plays and they’re preparing us. It’s my job now and I don’t want to get fired from my job."

‘Congratulations to Buffalo Bills photographer Thomas Wolf for winning Honorable Mention in the feature category of the 35th annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Photo Contest (below).’

Team president Tom Donahoe’s judgment is rarely questioned, but until Willis McGahee becomes a 1,400-yard rusher, the team’s first draft pick is suspect. Yes, Travis Henry’s contract could be an issue down the line. And yes, the third-year runner has a fumbling problem, but using such a high pick on a risky performer while the team had other holes to address is peculiar.

‘"Without football I don’t know where I’d have wound up," he said. "Probably as a welder at St. Bonaventure University."’

The Claymores benefited from a perfect mix of Craig Nall (Packers)’s arm and the legs of Malan, Ken Simonton (Bills) and Maurice Hicks (Bears) who accumulated a bulk of the yardage for the Scotland offense.

‘WGRZ-TV, Channel 2, has won the broadcast rights to carry three Buffalo Bills games that will be carried simultaneously by cable’s ESPN. The first one is a preseason game with Tennessee on Aug. 16. The other two are Sunday night regular-season games with Miami on Sept. 21 and Kansas City on Oct. 26.’

‘Items donated by Bledsoe, who quarterbacked at Washington State University and the NFL New England Patriots before joining the Buffalo Bills last season, has contributed an autographed Bills jersey, a Bills helmet, an NFL football and a WSU helmet. He has also autographed a Wa-Hi helmet and a Wa-Hi jersey No. 12 for auction.’

Ruben Brown of the Buffalo Bills will be one of the headline attractions in the inaugural Celebrity Golf Classic benefiting the Niagara Falls YMCA. Former Bill Shawn Price is also among the notables in the field for the event, to be held June 30 at Niagara Falls Country Club. Former Bills WR Don Beebe will hold his annual speed camp July 23-24 at the Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse in Orchard Park.

RB Ken Simonton earned NFLE Offensive Player of the Week honors for the 2nd time this season in week five against the F.C. Barcelona Dragons. He gained 108 rushing yards on 20 carries, caught eight passes for 97 yards and returned five punts for 66 yards. His 271 total yards were just eight shy of tying a league mark. Simonton is the only player in the league to receive the POW distinction twice so far in 2003. He first earned the honor when he ran for 94 yards and tied a league record with four rushing touchdowns in the Claymores 62-31 win over the Berlin Thunder in week one.

Winfield: He is a smaller (5-feet-9) corner, which might deter some teams, but he is a tough, physical player. The Bills love him and will do whatever it takes to keep him, which could mean using the franchise tag. They put that label on receiver Peerless Price before trading him to Atlanta. It’s a safeguard for the team. But the Bills will have to decide if he’s worth shutdown corner money. He certainly is if Bly can get $5 million a year.

‘"As long as we are playing football, the level of play doesn’t matter. The players don’t grow an extra leg. The game is still the game to me, no matter the level of play."’

‘It was very difficult to select only 12 contestants from all of the 50-word essays we received. But we think we have a good representation from our avid fans to appear in the CBS spot. CBS is excited to shoot the promo and all of us are excited to see the spot when it airs.’

Photo gallery of turf installation