Two Bills Drive

‘"Being out of coaching for a year really made me appreciate how much I missed being a part of it all," Gilbride said. "The competitiveness of football – the scheming, the working, the interaction with the players and coaches. That’s what made me say I thought I could enjoy doing what the media does, and I did enjoy it. It was a great experience and it gives you a different feel for things."’

‘I’d rather go with AVP as my caretaker, and draft my potential QB of the future next month. Unless Tom Donahoe and Gregg Williams believe Blake can win the big game for them, why waste time and precious salary cap money on him?’

‘"We felt last year he showed tremendous toughness and leadership on our team," Bills general manager Tom Donahoe said. "We’re happy to have him because we think he’s a good young player and we appreciate all that he did last year, playing hurt."’

TriStar Sports Management has informed KFFL that unrestricted free agent QB Jonathan Quinn (Jaguars) will visit with the Buffalo Bills on Monday and Tuesday next week.

"It will be a similar situation to that of the quarterback situation. We’ll try to improve our team any way that we can. We drafted two very good young offensive linemen last year in Jonas Jennings and Marques Sullivan. Bill Conaty our center will be coming back next season, we’ve signed him to a new contract. Bill got a chance to play as virtually a rookie last year."

‘"My style of play is passionate," the Bills’ new middle linebacker said Thursday. "That’s one word I’d use. All-out effort, 110 percent. I feel I can energize a team, not just a defense. I’m going to play fast. I’m going to lead by example and from my style of play. I’m going to be physical."’

‘There are no questions about Fletcher’s health. He gives the locker room a championship presence. The Bills potentially save $14 million on the cap over the next five seasons.’

‘The Texans’ search for a quarterback remains up in the air as the team awaits a decision from Rob Johnson, who seemed all but signed, sealed and delivered a few days ago. Johnson is the Texans’ first choice, but general manager Charley Casserly isn’t going to wait on his decision much longer. Chris Chandler, who spent the past five seasons with the Falcons, appears to be the top fallback option, and former Saints quarterback Jeff Blake’s name has begun to resurface although Blake has said he’s leaning toward Buffalo.’

‘"By them bringing me in as their first free agent visit, it showed me they really wanted me," Fletcher said. "Coach Williams looked me in the eye and I saw his passion for having me here. It would have been hard-pressed for any of those other teams to sell me on their organization."’

‘”I just thought it was time to move on,” said Fletcher, a 26-year-old who won a Super Bowl with the Rams two years ago and played in their 20-17 loss to the New England Patriots last month. “My gut told me that I had done everything I could accomplish in St. Louis.”‘

@ Buchsbaum: The Bills, who needed an impact LB to replace injury-prone Cowart, signed former Rams LB London Fletcher. Fletcher can be a very effective player if the tackles in front of him keep him free. He?s extremely active and runs very well and has good instincts. However, at times he will gamble too much and take himself out of position. He has some hot dog in him and is a very aggressive player who will take some dumb penalties. He also likes to call attention to himself.

@ A scouting report on Fletcher from the view of a avid Rams fan.

Shout’s Mike Doser has inside info on new uniforms.

‘Where have you been and where are you heading? This is my first visit. I am headed to Chicago this afternoon and scheduled for Pittsburgh on Monday.’

‘"This is a true football town and I am thrilled to death about getting involved in the community and just becoming a true Buffalonian."’