Two Bills Drive

‘Starting right end Marcellus Wiley will undergo surgery today [Saturday] to correct a bulging disk in his lower back and will be sidelined between four to six weeks, according to media reports. It comes as a shock because Wiley showed no signs of problems in any of the mini-camps.’

‘The Buffalo Bills defensive lineman is one of the most generous players in a league that seems to get more attention nowadays for the ones who commit crimes. With his own charitable foundation he established in 1998, Washington has made it his mission to give. He hands out thousands of pairs of shoes annually, plays Santa every Christmas to donate toys, and offers advice and hope to all. He also has organized a football camp for hundreds of children at the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center near Twentynine Palms, Calif., in the Mojave Desert.’

‘The Bills recently signed a sponsorship deal with JetBlue Airways, a new airline based at New York’s Kennedy Airport. The Bills will promote the airline on an electronic billboard in the east end zone and other stadium signs. JetBlue executives are already salivating at the prospect of flying throngs of Bills and New York Jets fans between Buffalo and New York when the teams meet during the upcoming season.’

‘Doug Flutie said recently that he will be back on the field, despite coach Wade Phillips going with Rob Johnson as his No. 1 quarterback. The decision to bench Flutie in the playoffs last year may become Phillips’s haunting legacy. Even former Bills great Jim Kelly said that while he considers Phillips a friend, he can’t approve of the decision to bench Flutie. Another bad sign for this team, which will be one of the league’s youngest, was cutting fullback Sam Gash. The Patriots found out Gash brings an attitude to the offense. The Patriots miss it and the Bills will also. This is also a team void of the great Bruce Smith, who can still be productive. But the Bills have drafted well lately and their young players will be put to the test. The Bills must also replace receiver Andre Reed. At least they have a viable option in Peerless Price.’

‘Wiley will be out of action for four to six weeks due to surgery he will have today to repair a bulging disc in his lower back. The fourth-year right defensive end probably will miss all of the team’s training camp in Rochester. He is scheduled to be back on the field sometime between Aug. 7 and Aug. 21.’

‘The former head doctor to the Buffalo Bills has been sanctioned by state health officials for inappropriate billing. Dr. Richard L. Weiss, of Amherst, agreed not to contest the charges against him, including professional misconduct and filing false reports. He also agreed that his license to practice medicine be permanently limited, although Weiss is retired…Weiss, 71, joined the Bills as an associate physician in 1967 and had been their primary team doctor from 1977 to 1995, when his role diminished…State officials could not say whether the billing was related to the Bills or Weiss’ other patients.’

"Flutie Flakes, which made their 1998 debut in a bright red box, then were switched to a deep blue box in early ’99, will hit supermarket shelves in early August in a new red, white and blue box. Melissa Heher, vice president of PLB Sports, the Pittsburgh company that created Flutie’s hit breakfast food, said the time was right for Flutie Flakes III."

"The Buffalo Bills signed four NFL Europe players Thursday, including wide receiver Kevin Drake, who led the league this season with a record-tying 12 touchdown catches. Also signed were defensive backs Nick Ferguson and Quincy Coleman and wide receiver Todd Floyd, who returns to the Bills after they released him prior to the start of last season."

"They are wide receiver Kevin Drake and defensive back Nick Ferguson of the World Bowl champion Rhein Fire and wide receiver Todd Floyd and defensive back Quincy Coleman of the Frankfurt Galaxy."

‘The 7th castaway has been voted off Buffalo Bills Island. This former Bill went out in style. His last play in uniform was a touchdown catch against the Miami Dolphins in 1986. He injured his knee that play and never suited up again.’

‘The Bills announced that the team has signed four players who most recently competed in the 2000 NFL Europe season. They are wide receiver Kevin Drake and defensive back Nick Ferguson of the World Bowl champion Rhein Fire and wide receiver Todd Floyd and defensive back Quincy Coleman of the Frankfurt Galaxy.’

‘There have been all kinds of media reports about the Bills this off-season, leading fans to believe all kinds of things. Here’s what I believe – and I think you should take heed of my thoughts over some national journalist because I actually was at every mini-camp session this off-season.’

‘Fans can purchase tickets in person at the Ralph Wilson Stadium box office, the team’s downtown Buffalo office in the Statler building, the Rochester office in Pittsford Plaza, and the Central Ticket Office on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo. In addition, tickets can be purchased with a credit card by calling toll free at 1-877-BBTICKS and through the team’s web site, www.buffalobills.com. Tickets are also available at all Wegmans Food Markets in the video departments, which are open seven days a week.’

‘Thanks to the generosity of its readers and supporters, Two Bills Drive has been able to donate six Buffalo Bills season tickets the past two seasons for the use by the Pediatric Care Unit of Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Please help us repeat our past efforts for this season.’