Two Bills Drive

‘Giancola will be trying to land the placekicking job currently held by veteran Steve Christie, but a more realistic outcome would have him handling strictly the kickoff duties…Bills coach Wade Phillips was impressed with Giancola’s performance during the team’s first mini-camp in the spring, but said the rookie faces a formidable task in unseating Christie. “Steve’s an awfully good kicker and has been for a long time,” said Phillips, measuring his words carefully. “I don’t know that Giancola can do that, but maybe he can do some things that we need. If he can help us with kickoffs, then he has a chance to make the team. But if he’s not a whole lot better than Steve as far as kickoffs are concerned, then I’d think he’d have a tough time making the team. But if he can, then he has a chance.”‘

‘”I have no choice but to deal with it and I will, I’ll be ready,” Flutie said. “Chances are I’m going to get a chance to step on the field at some point. In what capacity whether it’s filling in, mopping up or taking over for a segment of the season who knows? “But it is my job to be ready when that opportunity comes.”‘

‘At 9:30 a.m. Friday, the Bills will start their three-week training camp. As they settled in, the players gave the set-up at Fisher good reviews. "The facilities look beautiful," Flutie said. "I’m sure the crowds will be bigger down here in Rochester." Defensive end Marcellus Wiley was equally impressed. "When I drove up, it looked like a carnival over here," Wiley said. ". . . You can see it’s set up to be something big." The camp was put together by Fisher, the Bills and Wegman’s Food Markets Inc., the main sponsor. "This was my first look at the camp," said Wegmans CEO Robert Wegman. "I think Rochester is in for a treat."’

‘At 37, Flutie doesn’t think he’s had his last hurrah. Given Johnson’s history of injuries, it’s quite likely he will be called upon at some point again, just as in ’98 when he guided the Bills to a 7-3 record and a playoff berth after Johnson injured his ribs.’

‘Flutie’s one-day camp had been put together by Wegman’s Food Markets Inc., the training camp’s main sponsor. Jo Natale, a Wegman’s spokesman, said 5,000 young people ages 9-14 had entered the drawing for spots at the camp. Talks on nutrition and other issues were mixed in with the activities. The campers were also given lunch featuring the Flutie’s Favorite Sub marketed by Wegmans.’

‘Tillman agreed to a four-year, $2.1 million contract, and his agent, Ben Dogra of St. Louis, said his client is looking forward to starting his NFL career. "He is very excited," said Dogra. "It was his goal to be in camp on time and he will. He recognizes this is a great opportunity for him and he wants to seize it." Tillman is a free safety, and that is a position that will be up for grabs in camp because of the free agent departure of six-year starter Kurt Schulz. Tillman will compete with Daryl Porter and Keion Carpenter, backups last season.’

‘"There may have been some questions by a lot of people, a lot of guys on the team even, about the moves that were made in the offseason," veteran strong safety Henry Jones said. "It was a time to clear the air for us and to say, ‘OK, every year there’s change, the only difference this year is that some veterans who were here a very long time are gone.’ But that just means some guys are going to have to step up and play."’

‘Though he has not seen the Bills do any type of work since their wild-card playoff loss to Tennessee in January, Clayton — as he does every team in the league — has a good feel for what to expect from the Bills this season. "They’ve been drafting well year after year, that’s the one thing this franchise has done, they’ve brought in good athletes and because of that, they have a chance," he said. "And this division is the most changed in the league. Every team has taken a step back except Indianapolis. "I think Indy has the best team and there’s going to be a battle for the No. 2 spot between Buffalo and Miami and right now I think Buffalo has the advantage."’

‘Buffalo Bills coach Wade Phillips said only two players will not participate in the opening workout. Defensive end Marcellus Wiley is recovering from lower back surgery, and free agent cornerback Courtney Jackson will be placed on the injured reserve list and will miss the entire season after blowing out his knee during the last mini-camp in June. Also, Erik Flowers’ situation remained up in the air as of last night. As for the rest of the players, Phillips expects everyone to be in tip top shape and ready to work.’

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‘Recorded in active audio, Wade Phillips says the Bills will likely be without Erik Flowers and Travares Tillman for at least the first meeting of training camp this evening. This was his first press conference of training camp at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, N.Y.’

‘Bills second-round draft pick Travares Tillman agreed to terms Thursday, leaving only first-rounder Erik Flowers unsigned. Tillman was expected to arrive in Pittsford, N.Y., in time for the team’s first training-camp meeting, at 7 p.m.’

"He’s so smooth that sometimes it seems he’s not moving so fast," said Johnson, whose superior arm strength should boost the a 6.10 yards per pass play rating that ranked in the middle of the NFL statistics last season. "Peerless sort of glides by people and then, when the ball is in the air, he kicks it into another gear and really goes after that thing."

‘Sensing he had more to lose by missing training camp, safety Travares Tillman, a second-round draft pick, agreed to a four-year deal worth more than $2.1 million with the Buffalo Bills on Thursday…"It’s a good deal for everyone. We’re glad to get it rectified because it wasn’t worth it for him to hold out,” Dogra said. "We were very close, the difference was so minute, it made sense to get the deal done. … You’ve got to seize the opportunity."’

"I lost a nice amount of weight, but I’m not telling how much," he said. "I took it upon myself to get a new diet, without starving myself, and a lot of treadmill, bike, Stairmaster. I took a six-week program, and I’d say I’m 90 percent better and stronger coming into this year than last year. I have a better look, attitude, feel, more strength, everything."