Two Bills Drive

‘"Pittsburgh approached me with a need and I’m just excited to be here," Riemersma said Wednesday.’

‘Riemersma received an $850,000 signing bonus on a contract worth $3.95 million.’

‘"I have kind of made my reputation as a pass catcher," said Riemersma, who signed a contract on the day he made his initial visit to Pittsburgh. "That’s kind of what I bring to the table."’

‘Riemersma would join returning veterans Mark Bruener, Jerame Tuman and Matt Cushing on Pittsburgh’s roster. Fordham might replace starting left tackle Wayne Gandy, who signed with the New Orleans Saints as a free agent.’

‘He was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 18 and was unlikely to be re-signed.’

‘Riemersma, in his seventh season, is second behind Pete Metzelaars as the Bills’ most accomplished pass-catching tight end with 204 career receptions for 2,304 yards and 20 touchdowns.’

‘"Jay has been a very productive and proven player in the National Football League," Steelers coach Bill Cowher. "We are happy to have had the opportunity at this time to add such a quality player."’

Jay Riemersma, who played for the Buffalo Bills for the last seven seasons, was in Pittsburgh visiting with coaches and team personnel on Wednesday and before he got a chance to walk out the door, he signed a contract.

According to Brian Levy, agent for defensive tackle Vonnie Holliday, the Bills are not a player in the Vonnie Holliday situation. "We have spoken, however, there is no interest in him at the numbers we are currently at with other teams," Levy said.

‘Buffalo was also a stop, but the Bills signed Jack-sonville’s Bobby Shaw instead. That left the Panthers, who hope a surgically repaired Dyson can once again become the kind of speed receiver they so desperately need.’

‘With training camp still four months away, and the draft over five weeks off, Bills’ fans are already cranked up over the coming season. And the reason is Donahoe’s aggressive personnel acquisitions via free agency that have addressed Buffalo’s defensive shortcomings in emphatic fashion.’

No one has played in more games, has caught more passes, has more receiving yards and has hauled in more touchdowns for the Buffalo Bills than Andre Reed. A two-time ECAC All-Star at Kutztown (PA) University, Reed realized during the first day of Buffalo’s training camp in 1985 that he had what it took to make the transition from Division II to the NFL.

‘"I never expect to be given a starting position," Reese said. "I know at safety there’s some opportunity here. I’m well aware of that. All you can ask for is to compete for the job."’

Brian Levy, Holliday’s agent, said that Buffalo has dropped out of the running to sign the unrestricted free agent. Levy wouldn’t name the other two teams that might try to sign his client because they haven’t decided whether to get in the running.

‘”The offer is there if he wants to take it, but there’s one thing about (general manager) Tom Donahoe: He sizes up talent, their value to the team, he makes an offer and that’s it. Otherwise you’re going to get yourself into this game of just going up and up. We were in that cycle and we’re trying to get out of (it).”‘