Two Bills Drive

Mel Kiper lists each AFC team's major draft need. His opinion? The Bills need to get help on the offensive line, at cornerback, and on the defensive line.

‘When the Buffalo Bills conducted their three-day practice last week, Jerry Ostroski was lined up at right guard instead of the center position he played last season. It appears the position switch will be permanent.’

‘Washington is an unrestricted free agent after his release last month by the Bills. He decided to leave Buffalo rather than agree to a cut to his $5.28 million base salary. He met at Halas Hall with the Bears on Monday and would like Miller and his agent to get together again.’

‘"If they work something out with my agent and the negotiator here, it’s pretty much a done deal," the 6-5, 350-pound Washington said. "I like what I see and I’ll fit in good." The Bears are trying to be patient and prudent with the $4 million of salary-cap room they have remaining.’

‘[Ted Washington] could spend weeks visiting other interested employers, but he didn’t seem eager to do so at Monday afternoon’s Halas Hall press conference. "Hopefully not," he said of the possibility of taking other trips. "I like what I see here, and think I’ll fit in good."’

‘Van Pelt, a dependable backup with the Buffalo Bills for six seasons, re-signed, as expected, with the club yesterday. The Bills are switching to the West Coast offense under new coach Gregg Williams, the quick, rhythm passing attack that Van Pelt operated at the University of Pittsburgh in the early 1990s where he broke many of Dan Marino’s records.’

‘The Bills as usual did not disclose terms of Van Pelt’s contract — which is believed to be at or slightly above the veteran minimum salary of $477,000 for 2001, with a small signing bonus.’

On Buffalo’s cap situation:

We don’t think [it’s all cleared up], though we’re trying to. At least right now, the cap is at a place where it’s manageable and we can survive on a daily basis. Each time we go to sign somebody, it has implications with the cap, and we have to study it and look at it. We’re going to have to continue to do that.

‘"Everyone wants to play, but Rob’s the guy," Van Pelt said. "There’s no question. There was no question in my mind all along. What helps me is that I know my job: Be ready to go at the No. 2 or No. 3 spot and support the guy who’s in there."’

‘After two years of salary-cap-forced purges, the Bills aren’t out of the woods just yet. Although the situation is more manageable, Donahoe said he doesn’t expect to be comfortably clear of the cap until next year.’

‘Ostroski signed a 2-year extension through 2004, getting a $2 million signing bonus. He took a pay cut on his base salary this season from $1.5 to 1.25 million, pushing some money to the last two years of the deal. This freed up $1 million in cap room and, according to sources, the Bills are now about $4 million under the cap.’

‘The Bills have announced that free safety Keion Carpenter and wide receiver Jeremy McDaniel, both of whom were exclusive rights free agents, have accepted the team’s tendered offers. Van Pelt will continue with the Bills for a 7th season.’

‘Would you work out under the instruction of nutrition and exercise experts at no cost? Would you do it in Buffalo even if your annual six- or seven-figure income allowed you to live in climates where spring was actually a season and not just an annual wish? Would you do it for $80 per day, plus food?’

‘The Johnson-Flutie issue won’t go away because the media loves it. It makes copy for the print journalists, when football writers were once struggling for material in the off season. And for radio and TV, it’s a bonanza.’

Ted Washington will be visiting the Bears on Tuesday and a 3:00 pm press conference has been scheduled. The Bears have not made similar announcements with other visiting players…