Two Bills Drive

His agent, Frank Murtha, indicated the Lions, Buffalo and Jacksonville have expressed interest in signing Gary.

The Chargers re-signed kicker Steve Christie, one of the most prolific kickers in NFL history, to a one-year deal on Monday. The bulk of his career was spent in Buffalo, where he played for eight seasons (1992-2000). During his time in Buffalo, he became the Bills’ all-time leader in career points and field goals.

Nearly one year later, here's a look back at the Bills' draft class of 2002, including a recap of their rookie-year contributions and a thought about where each player fits into the team's current plans.

The Bills primary objective this off-season was to upgrade a defense that ranked last in the NFL in takeaways, 27th in points allowed and 29th against the run.

The coaching staff is addressing ways to cut down on the number of sacks allowed last season – 54, fourth most in the NFL. OC Kevin Gilbride, though, isn’t lying awake nights. He’s put the onus on QB Drew Bledsoe. “Some of that falls to him, getting rid of the ball and not trying to show his manhood every play,” Gilbride said.

Signing Gash, a fan favorite during his first tour with the Bills, is the latest sign of the team’s commitment to running the ball more and creating more balance for an offense that set numerous team passing marks last fall.

Buffalo – Sure, the Bills lost one key component off their explosive offense in WR Price, but GM Donahoe has radically improved the defense with the additions of DT Adams, LBs Posey and Spikes and highly respected assistant coach LeBeau. That, in turn, should take the pressure off the offense to have to put a ton of points on the board for the Bills to win. Bledsoe is a battle-tested QB who seems rejuvenated in Buffalo. RB Henry and WR Moulds are game-breaking talents and Buffalo believes second-year WR Reed can adequately fill Price’s big shoes. If the defense and special teams improve as they should, I look for the Bills to win a couple more games this season, leaving them in the running for a playoff spot.

“It’s extremely deep,” Bills GM Tom Donahoe said. “In the years we’ve been doing this, this is one of the deepest drafts — numbers-wise — for defensive linemen that we’ve seen. We talked about the defensive line (in team meetings before the Combine) for a long time. It’s usually a short list. But this year there are a lot of names.”

‘And Simonten, on loan from the Buffalo Bills, added: "The way the game started I just had a good feeeling for it. Everything felt right and a lot of things fell into place for me".

‘Hollis spent the last season with the Buffalo Bills and made 25 of 33 field goals including a carrer long 54 yard FG. Prior to the Bills, Hollis kicked for 7 years with the Jacksonville Jaguars.’

Buffalo Bills allocated running back Ken Simonton set a new team mark and tied a league record with four rushing touchdows for the Scottish Claymores on Sunday. He scored on runs on 11, five, three and five yards on the day.

‘Despite all the improvements made during this eventful offseason, I don’t see the Bills much better than 1-3 in the first quarter of the season.’

‘Dec. 27 — at New England. If the game means a playoff berth for one or both teams, this would be the perfect spot for Bledsoe to end the Belichick hex. Easier said than done. 10-6.’

‘The Bills bolstered their defense, which ranked 29th against the run last year, by signing Cincinnati’s best defensive player in linebacker Takeo Spikes; space-eating tackle Sam Adams (from Oakland), another productive linebacker in Jeff Posey (eight sacks with Houston), and safety Izell Reese (Denver).’

‘Jim Kelly is scoring again. The football great, who is the only NFL quarterback to lead his team to four consecutive Super Bowls, will be the grand marshal for Sunday’s race.’