Two Bills Drive

‘Meanwhile, it’s just a matter of time before free-agent quarterback Rob Johnson officially is a Texan, if you listen to the native Californian. Johnson has made it clear Houston is his first choice and that he is willing to take less money to play for the Texans, who are prepared to make a one-year, $1 million commitment to the former Buffalo Bill.’

@ The first effect of hiring Wade Phillips as the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive coordinator came Tuesday when ESPN.com learned that the team reached a contract agreement in principle with free safety Keion Carpenter.

@ Outside Western New York, Buffalo is best known these days for snowstorms, chicken wings and a pair of professional sports teams. But anyone who has spent more than a week a or two here, knows that second guessing is really the region’s forté. Orchard Park has been home for the Buffalo Bills since 1973, but a segment of the second-guessing population still talks about impact a city football stadium would have had.

‘Johnson said he is also talking to Tampa Bay, Cincinnati and Baltimore but didn’t see anything stopping a deal with the Texans.’

‘Fletcher’s agent Anthony Paige said his client is keenly interested in playing for the Bills, who have a starting job available and have a defensive-minded head coach in Gregg Williams, a former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator.’

‘Donahoe might be interested in a couple of Steelers, including Holmes and kicker Kris Brown, a restricted free agent.’

‘There’s pretty much no reason to be excited about the 2002 Bills. Worse, at least right now, the current team isn’t nearly as good as the one Donahoe inherited.’

‘Fletcher, 26, is a four-year veteran who led the Rams in tackles this year and was an alternate to the Pro Bowl.’

‘Cowart, who spent his first four NFL seasons with Buffalo, will meet today and possibly Wednesday with Bradway, coach Herman Edwards, and defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, his coordinator with the Bills.’

‘While the Bills clearly have far more room to manuever under the salary cap now than they did this time a year ago, Fletcher’s asking price may be too high anyway. But the fact the Bills are apparently going to the trouble to fly him in and talk to him could signal they are looking for options in their talks with Cowart, who is coming off an achilles injury.’

‘Keeping all options open, the team has scheduled free-agent visits with Sam Cowart today and Shawn Barber on Thursday. Cowart, 27, thrived in Buffalo’s 3-4 defense under Jets defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, but missed all but one game last season with an Achilles injury. One of his agents, Gene Burroughs, said Cowart is ready to pass a physical. If healthy, Cowart is an attractive option.’

‘Now, don’t misunderstand our point. Ruskell isn’t an awful choice for the Falcons. He just isn’t the best choice, especially since Tom Modrak and his decades of experience when it comes to player personnel decisions is only a phone call away with the Buffalo Bills.’

‘"Coming from the team I came from, (the Texans) already have a better offensive line, defensive line and secondary in place. That’s very attractive. I know the offensive coordinator, and I’m very comfortable with him. I think my best years are ahead of me."’

@ LB Sam Cowart looks to be leaving Buffalo but may not be moving out of the state of New York. The Jersey Jets, who have been one of the busier teams early in free agency, will bring Cowart in Tuesday. The Bills maintain interest in bringing the 1998 second-round pick back. One player with a vested interest in where Cowart lands is LB James Farrior, who led the NFL in tackles with the Jets last season. Farrior?s destination of choice remains New York, but he?s unaware what level of interest the Jets have in bringing him back.

‘If the Texans do sign Johnson, it would likely be a one-year deal for about $1 million, which may not sound like a lot of money, but it would give Johnson the chance to jumpstart his career again. The Texans would likely make him the starter ahead of rookie David Carr, who is almost certain to be their choice with the first pick in the April draft. The Texans would love to allow Carr a year to groom behind a veteran before turning over the starting job to him.’