Two Bills Drive

@ The Bills were so interested in QB Jeff Blake that they were prepared to give the Saints a fifth-round pick for him. And Blake was so interested in playing for the Bills that he was willing to rework his contract. Knowing the Saints would release Blake anyway, the Bills backed out. Now that Blake has been released, he is expected to sign with the Bills.

@ Now that Rob Johnson has left Buffalo, let’s all look ahead. Johnson was given every opportunity to be the leading QB of the Bills.

‘Houston offensive coordinator Chris Palmer was Johnson’s quarterback coach at Jacksonville and thinks highly of him.’

‘"It was our intention to try and work something out with Rob," he said. "Right from the beginning we wanted to work something out. If there’s a guy in free agency who makes sense, we’ll take a look at him. But we really like Alex."’

@ Kris Brown is kicker who missed so many field goals last year, right? Simon has the explanation.

@ Don’t be surprised if the Bills sign Steelers K Kris Brown, who is a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet, wrote ESPN.com’s Len Pasquarelli.

‘A source with the Bills who knows Johnson said over the weekend that money isn’t the issue with him because he made $18.8 million at Buffalo. The issue with Johnson is working with a coach who likes, understands and respects him in a situation where he can repair his damaged reputation.’

@ Look for the Houston Texans to bring quarterback Rob Johnson, released by the Bills last week, to town for a visit. The meeting could take place as early as Tuesday, when the Texans start to visit with between 8 to 10 unrestricted free agents. Houston offensive coordinator Chris Palmer had the same job in Jacksonville when Johnson played for the Jaguars and is familiar with him. But it doesn’t appear Johnson, or any other veteran QB for that matter, is going to get rich by signing with Houston. The team has decided that Carr will play as a rookie and has budgeted just $1 million for a veteran backup.

‘In the NFL you’re either a winner or a loser, and right now Johnson is a loser, until he proves otherwise.’

@ The Bills are hoping that the unrestricted free agency market swings back into their favor with regards to middle linebacker Sam Cowart, just as it did with Ruben Brown two years ago. If not it appears they will turn toward ex-Titan players.

‘McKinnie and Williams – the top two offensive linemen in the NFL draft this year – are the kind of behemoths that are rare even by the oversized standards of pro football.’

‘Considering how Johnson’s situation had soured here – especially in the locker room where his teammates liked him but simply did not believe in him – it’s probably a better career move for him.’

‘The problem is that the patience of Buffalo fans with young pro athletes, gauged on a scale of 1 through 10, measures around a minus-14.’

‘Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly and his wife, Jill, shared the podium to praise the work of doctors at Children’s Hospital in caring for their 5-year-old son, Hunter, who suffers from Krabbe disease, and their two daughters.’

‘The wordplay between former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly and Assemblyman Sam Hoyt ended in a tie, with each scoring a verbal touchdown, at a news conference last week to promote Saturday’s rally to keep Children’s Hospital on Bryant Street.’