Two Bills Drive

‘When asked how he felt about leaving the Bills, Johnson sounded more relieved than disappointed.’

”’I’m kind of happy,” he said. ”It hasn’t been an easy situation there. Every off-season there’s been something, whether it was me or Doug (Flutie), or new coaches, so it’ll be a fresh start.”’

‘Working in Cowart’s favor is that his was only a partial tear. Healy said his client has been given second positive opinions by noted orthopedic surgeons in New York, Alabama and Florida.’

‘"Everybody’s saying, ‘What’s going to happen tomorrow?"’ Healy said. "From our point of view, if nothing does happen tomorrow or even the next day, we have not foreclosed the possibility of still working out something with the Bills."’

Len Pasquerelli rates Sam Cowart 24th best free agent.

Played just one game in 2001 and coming off Achilles surgery, yet asking for a $10.5 million signing bonus. If he regains his sanity, will have a market, since a few more teams are switching to 3-4 front.

‘The Buffalo Bills have elected not to offer safety Keion Carpenter a new contract, allowing him to become a free agent on Friday.’

@ Chris Brown of WGR reports that Safety Pierson Prioleau has been tendered a qualifying tender offer of $563,000. He joins Shawn Bryson, Jay Foreman, Sheldon Jackson, and Keith Newman as Restricted Free Agents who rights have been kept. Chris Watson and Keion Carpenter have not yet. The Bills have decided not to tender Craig Heimburger an offer; in addition Kenyatta Wright was not tendered an offer but may be back in the Spring.

‘"What I look at as a real positive is the fact that last January we had 38 players under contract and were $19 million over the cap. This year by the end of the week we’ll have close to 60 players and we’ll be under the cap."’

‘That would leave Buffalo director of football operations Tom Modrak, a highly accomplished player personnel man, and Seattle executive vice president Mike Reinfeldt, a polished administrator.’

‘History will not judge Rob’s time here kindly.’

@ Cowart’s and Johnson’s contracts have issues related to their injures. Beyond those two problems, the Bills shouldn’t have much competition for most of their remaining free agents. Bills observers believe the remaining UFAs shouldn’t receive too much attention on the market, and the Bills certainly would like to have Conaty and [Shawn] Price back for their leadership qualities.

@ Butler’s decision [on a five-year, $15 million contract for fast-but-frail receiver/returner Tim Dwight] also is raising questions as to whether past spending sprees in Buffalo genuinely can be attributed to owner Ralph Wilson?s zeal for a Super Bowl title. Really, Butler?s over-the-top deal for Dwight makes Rob Johnson?s money-for-nothing seem downright reasonable.

@ Staticreative Design Studio was awarded the Camp Good Days & Special Times account for 2002, and will create media kits for A Kickin’ Campout With Christie, a June 22 Camp Good Days event honoring Buffalo Bills alumnus Steve Christie.

@ He is now the assistant deputy commissioner for New York State Park and is STILL a die-hard Bills fan.

@ “In my opinion, it’s poor planning, because it’s really taxed everyone,” said Buffalo Bills general manager Tom Donahoe. “I’m sure it probably has something to do with the collective bargaining agreement, but I’d still prefer they move free agency back a couple weeks, because we’d still be able to get everything accomplished.”