Two Bills Drive

‘Antoine Winfield knew Nate Clements could be a good defensive back the first time he saw him at Ohio State three years ago. They’re in similar roles now with the Buffalo Bills. The team drafted both players in the first round — Winfield in 1999, and Clements a week ago.’

‘When it comes to scouting, Buffalo Bills coach Gregg Williams knows his stuff. When asked what attracted him to Boston College quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, Williams answered without hesitation. "His girlfriend," Williams said.’

‘"We just wanted him to come in and visit with the coaches and take a look at what we’re trying to do," team president and General Manager Tom Donahoe said. "And then we’ll see if it makes sense to try and sign him."’

‘Hasselbeck’s fiancee is Elisabeth Filarski, one of the castaways on Survivor who made it to the final four before meeting her demise Thursday night when she was voted off the island, leaving only two men and one woman alive for the $1 million grand prize.’

‘Meanwhile, the Bills have contacted free agent defensive end Mike Mamula, a Lackawanna native cut this week by the Philadelphia Eagles, and may entertain signing him to help their pass rush.’

‘Larry Centers, the NFL’s career leader in receptions by a running back, was at Buffalo’s mandatory minicamp Friday, watching from the sidelines in street clothes.’

‘"I’m glad I have a chance to play for the Buffalo Bills, which are contenders and have a great reputation."’

‘In the offseason where the Bills’ starting lineup and depth were once again ravaged by free agency, Dwight Adams once again held center court in the setting where he is most at home, the annual NFL draft.’

‘There is a neat story about Tim Hasselbeck, the Boston College quarterback. He is the younger brother of Seattle Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck, but that’s far from his only claim to fame. Tim’s girlfriend, Elisabeth Filarski, is one of the remaining members on the CBS-TV show Survivor: The Australian Outback.’

‘McPaper gives Donahoe and Co. a B+…’

Big thumbs up to Tom Donahoe and Co. from Dallas Morning News’ Rick Gosselin. He rates Bills with second best overall draft in the league, behind Seattle. Better than the Rams, the Pats, the Bears and – Ralph Wilson is lovin’ this – the Chargers: “Buffalo and Seattle had a league-high 12 picks apiece. The Bills had plenty of quality to go with their quantity with the best second day of this draft. Spoon, Sullivan, Driver, O’Leary, Williams, Germany … all good players. A”

‘The most intriguing acquisition made by the Buffalo Bills last week snuck onto the roster under cover of pre-draft hype. He is Kris Farris, former Outland Trophy winner, 1999 draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, a player who has the instant adoration of head coach Gregg Williams because he’s hit town with a monster chip on his shoulder.’

‘At Boston College, Hasselbeck threw for 29 touchdowns, fifth most in BC history, and 3,890 yards, sixth on the school’s all-time list.’

‘Fifteen teams including the Buffalo Bills were dropped Tuesday from a $1 billion lawsuit in which the Oakland Raiders claim the NFL forced them to leave the lucrative Los Angeles market.’

‘Haslett set school records with 20 sacks and five fumble recoveries in a season before becoming a second-round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1979. He was the AP’s defensive rookie of the year and played for nine years before going into coaching.’