Two Bills Drive

‘It includes a $9 million signing bonus, a $1 million base salary the first year, plus another $1.5 million option bonus after the first season, according to a league source. The deal would pay Spikes $14.1 million over the first two years and $17.7 million over the first three. Those aspects of the deal slightly surpass the big contract Atlanta gave middle linebacker Keith Brooking last week. Brooking will get $34 million over the first six years.’

”’It was an opportunity for me to go to a place I feel wanted me, and gave me the opportunity to be a No. 1 receiver,” Price said after the Bills traded him to Atlanta Friday for a first-round draft pick.’

”’It’s amazing how everything happened at the same time,” Donahoe said with a smile. ”There’s been a lot of papers and faxes flying back and forth all day long.”’

‘Western New York fans can reasonably dream of a 2003 Bills team including linebackers Takeo Spikes and Jeff Posey, top-shelf defensive tackle Sam Adams and possibly an instant-impact pass-rushing specialist with the No. 23 pick.’

‘With Moulds already a superstar and the promise shown last year by rookie Josh Reed, the Bills believe they have some depth at the receiver position. They also re-signed veteran Charles Johnson yesterday.’

‘The Falcons tried to swing a deal without sending this year’s first-round pick to Buffalo, instead offering either a second-round pick this season or next year’s first-rounder. Donahoe didn’t bite.’

‘Price still was grinning Friday at the Falcons’ headquarters over the week-old memory. “The video, the private jet. Everything was just breathtaking,” he said, before recalling a time before his last four seasons with the Buffalo Bills. In fact, it was long before he helped the University of Tennessee to a national championship. “I haven’t felt like that since I was going on recruiting trips for college,” said Price, shaking his head.’

‘Spikes’ Buffalo offer calls for $9 million to sign, and his total first-year pay could be $11.5 million with a $1 million base salary and a $1.5 million roster bonus. The deal is worth $18.2 the first three years if Spikes makes one Pro Bowl.’

‘Price’s exit gave Buffalo the cap space to pursue defensive help. The Bills’ immediate target was Spikes. They want him to replace 33-year-old Eddie Robinson as the starting right outside linebacker.’

‘The Bengals still have seven days to determine whether or not to match the six-year, $30 million-plus offer sheet Spikes received from the Bills and keep him in the fold. But Friday’s moves were a strong indication that Cincinnati was prepared to let its best defensive player walk and stock its roster with athletes who wanted to be a part of the team’s effort to pull itself out of the muck.’

‘Spikes has led the Bengals in tackles in four of his five seasons in the National Football League. Cincinnati named Spikes its transition player last month, allowing them to match any contract offer he receives.’

In a move that indicates the Bengals won’t match the Bills’ offer to Takeo Spikes, the agent for Cowboys linebacker Kevin Hardy said Friday night his client has agreed in principle to a four-year deal in Cincinnati.

Buffalo is believed to have offered Spikes a six-year deal that gives him more guaranteed money than Brooking’s $11.2 million, and a contract that gives him more than Brooking’s $17.4 million over the first three years of the deal.

‘Sure, the Falcons surrendered their first-round draft pick to Buffalo, but when you’re drafting 23rd tell me where you find a wide receiver to step in and make an immediate difference. You don’t.’

‘The contract, negotiated by agent Todd France over a two-day period, is for six years and believed to be worth about $32 million. Spikes will earn over $17 million in the first three years of the contract.’