Two Bills Drive

‘Coach Jon Gruden continues to say that Brad Johnson is his starter, but the signing of Rob Johnson and the high praise Gruden continues to give Shaun King are clear examples that Gruden wants a collection of more mobile athletes at this position. One of three players with starting NFL experience at the spot, Rob Johnson figures to make the competition at QB quite fierce. He doesn’t possess a quick release but he has a very strong arm and is usually accurate. He is quick to leave the pocket and make a run for it, but Gruden seems to admire that kind of ability. Though he has been in the league awhile and has had some success, Rob Johnson still lacks confidence at times. A summer working with Gruden could change that. The bottom line with Rob Johnson is this: for around $1 million, the team further improved its depth at the most vital spot on the roster. Like Ryan Leaf a year ago, Rob Johnson was a bargain the team couldn’t pass on. . . .’

‘On another matter, the Steelers are no longer in the running for tight end Dave Moore, who will sign a contract with the Buffalo Bills today. Moore, who played at Pitt and is a free agent from Tampa Bay, visited the Steelers Friday and said he preferred to play here. However, the Bills made him a better offer and he will take it.’

‘As the gift of life happily beat inside Goodwin’s massive chest, the old Buffalo Bill was immensely grateful for the stranger’s kindness. But as the post-op fog lifted, he glanced up at his television and wondered why-in-the-devil they were showing a Godzilla movie in the recovery room of a heart transplant patient.’

‘The Buffalo Bills are close to a contract agreement with Tampa Bay unrestricted free agent tight end Dave Moore, an NFL source said Sunday.’

Today is Monday, March 11, 2002. It has been exactly six months since the September 11th attacks that forever changed this nation. The life of a one-time Bills player will be forever linked with the events of that dark day.

‘After graduation from Michigan, Dan was drafted by the Buffalo Bills of New York to continue his football career. He played for the Bills for four years, furthering his education in the off-season by earning a masters degree from the University of Michigan in urban planning.’

‘"He has a lot of interesting qualities," new Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden said in a press release. "He’s young, talented and has experience as a starting quarterback in the National Football League."’

“Doug’s story is one of the most incredible stories I’ve ever heard of in my whole life,” Kemp said. “I just shudder when I think about it.”

‘Any way you slice it the Bills are in a great position. They’re going to get somebody very good, one way or the other.’

‘Monday will be a bittersweet day for the man who was a backup fullback on the Buffalo Bills’ 1965 American Football League championship team.’

‘It is believed Johnson changed his mind about the Texans because the situation offered no guarantee for how many starts he would get before the coaching staff decided Carr was ready.’

‘Johnson balked at the Texans’ one-year, $1 million offer, and the team’s apparent desire to groom rookie David Carr as the starter.’

‘Terms of the contract were not released, but it is expected to be similar to the one-year, $1-million deal Johnson was offered by the Houston Texans last week.’

‘In Tampa Bay, the former Southern California star will be reunited with two of his Trojans teammates in Keyshawn Johnson and linebackers coach Joe Barry, with whom he roomed.’

‘Two weeks after Gruden was introduced as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ new coach, Johnson agreed to terms on a free agent contract Saturday.’