Two Bills Drive

‘Pitt quarterback David Priestley was not selected in the NFL Draft, but was signed as a free agent immediately after. Priestley joined the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night. He’ll attend mini-camp next week to battle for the No. 3 quarterback spot with two-year veteran Travis Brown.’

‘"Buffalo’s getting a good player," Belichick said. "Buffalo is paying a significant price, and they are getting a significant player."’

‘…so this franchise quarterback finds himself gone with the Buffalo wind. And it’s no cool, refreshing breeze, either, but a harsh, cold one that tells us some decisions are left to the cruelty of fate and the whim of sport.’

‘Coach Bill Belichick of the Patriots said, “We all knew what the situation was. A football team can have only one starting quarterback. In the end, it can be only one guy. When you put it all together, this is probably best.”‘

‘"We at first approached Mr. Kraft at the owners meeting (in mid-March),” said Bills general manager Tom Donahoe. "We just took a shot at it. We didn’t know how he would react to it. We had some hesitation whether they would be reluctant to trade within the division, Mr. Kraft said it wasn’t (a problem) if it was the right deal."’

The Buffalo Bills would like to congratulate Chad Smith of North American Health Plans as the winner of the buffalobills.com "Meet The Draft Picks" promotion.

Meet the new picks, hear, read and watch what they had to say in the buffalobills.com Virtual War Room.

The Bills yesterday announced that the team has acquired quarterback DREW BLEDSOE from the New England Patriots in exchange for a first-round pick in 2003.

‘"We’ll always be loyal, win or lose, but we wanna win. We will with Bledsoe," said a Buffalo fan.’

‘Wright finished with more catches (222) than any player in school history, despite missing several games because of injury. His 3,274 receiving yards and 23 touchdown receptions rank second and third, respectively, on the Bulldogs’ career list.’

‘The Buffalo Bills were sorely lacking in star power the past year. Not any more.’

‘His Friday offer of a second-round pick in next year’s draft had been flatly rejected by the Patriots. But acquiring Bledsoe was simply too good of an opportunity to pass up. It was time to sweeten the deal.’

‘The Patriots didn’t arrive at this decision lightly. They know the risk of dealing the holder of virtually all of their passing records to an AFC East rival. They accept the fact they might be playing Russian roulette by going with Tom Brady as their quarterback.’

‘The Buffalo Bills walked away from the NFL draft Sunday with four players who have a chance to start or see significant playing time as rookies.’

‘"The fans deserve it," Donahoe said.’