Two Bills Drive

‘Larry Centers talks to the media about his role in the Bills’ West Coast Offence, and how he wants to be part of a Super Bowl contender in Buffalo.’

‘…given in an obituary from the Buffalo News (December 25, 1999):

SWEET – Donald E., gave Buffalo Bills their name 12/25/99

When the Buffalo Bisons of the All-America Football Conference sponsored an essay contest to re-name the team in 1947, Donald E. Sweet pulled an end run to win the $500 prize…’

‘The Bills Backers have arranged a group rate at The Holiday Inn located in the historic Old Town district of San Diego. The hotel is just steps away from dozens of shops, bars and restaurants. Most major attractions are just minutes away including beaches, Sea World, the San Diego Zoo and Qualcomm Stadium. Staying with the Backers is a great opportunity to meet and party with Bills fans from all over the country.’

‘The Bills claimed a huge offensive lineman off the waiver wire from the Green Bay Packers. Craig Heimburger, a right guard during most of his college and pro career will be signed when he clears waivers. He’s 6’2 312 pounds and was a 5th round draft choice of the Packers in 1999.’

‘"Many of the players who were here before Gregg said the one thing that was lacking was discipline," said Donahoe. "They wanted discipline, somebody to come in here and correct the way things were going. From the players I’ve talked to, there hasn’t been any complaints about the changes."’

‘Modrak met with Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe in Buffalo on Wednesday, Bills spokesman Scott Berchtold said. Berchtold described the meeting as an informal one…’

‘Antowain Smith puts house up for sale–you do the math.’

‘Nix was offered the position of director of college scouting with the Bills, but said he elected to join the Chargers because of his relationship with Butler.’

‘But given the outstanding job Modrak did in Philadelphia the past three years, he is a prime candidate for a general manager position in the NFL. He recently had an interview with the Chicago Bears.’

‘Tapping his Buffalo connections again, San Diego Chargers general manager John Butler hired Buddy Nix as director of player personnel Wednesday. Nix spent the last eight seasons as a scout with the Bills.’

‘"We’re confident there will be a fair resolution of this matter … and I expect it will not be a lengthy delay now," said Jerry Whalen, Phillips’ attorney.’

‘With Bills owner Ralph Wilson also on hand, Phillips presented his case to NFL arbitrator Jay Moyer during a daylong hearing in Buffalo. The hearing was closed to the public.’

‘Confidential documents entered into evidence during the Oakland Raiders’ lawsuit against the league reveal that the Bills — who once claimed an inability to compete economically and threatened to move — turned an $11.587 million operating profit in 1999.’

‘The Bills’ $11.58 million operating profit for 1999, the latest year covered in the documents, was nearly double their profit of $5.6 million the year before, according to documents released as part of Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis’ billion-dollar lawsuit against the league’s 31 teams.’

LA Times feature on the value of NFL franchises. Some very interesting information included. According to the Times, the average per-team operating profit jumped to $11.6 million in 1999–which just happened to be the same amount as the Bills operating profit in 1999. Buffalo reaped the benefits of a renovated stadium. There's also a look at which team might be the most likely to move to LA, as well as actual team financial statements for every NFL team, including the Bills. (Thanks to Boston's Sports Guy for the link.)