Two Bills Drive

Rookie Lesson:

"At some point in your career, and it may be this first year, you’re going to have to make a conscious choice: Do I want to be a champion or do I want to go to the Pro Bowl?" Billick said. "That’s a hard decision, particularly when you’re young and trying to make a name for yourself.

This week, the NFL is holding its fifth annual Rookie Symposium at the Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Va.

‘Moore, 24, was charged with aggravated assault in May after he allegedly hit Jeremiah Taylor with a beer bottle. But the district attorney’s office requested the charges be dropped, said Jim Haywood, Moore’s attorney.’

The linebacker had been charged with aggravated assault. The charge was dismissed Monday after the man struck with the bottle refused to testify, said Gary Brown, district attorney general for Haywood County.

"I think Denver has shown it doesn’t matter who the running back is," Bills’ offensive coordinator Mike Sheppard told the Buffalo News. "Olandis Gary does a great job when Terrell Davis goes out. I think it’s just a matter of getting quality people and players that are smart guys that understand what you’re trying to do. Does one guy have to be the guy? I don’t think so."

Over 500 bikers participated in the event benefitting Salvation Army with former Bills quarterback, Jim Kelly and current tight end, Sheldon Jackson among the crowd. Riders paid $25 per person or $35 per couple.

Two Bills will join the millions of Americans heading to the beach over the next month, but will be working on much more than their tans.

‘June 25, 1977: Bills veteran backup quarterback Sam Wyche announced his retirement from professional football.’

‘The third of four Super Bills quarterfinals will be played Monday, with two similar squads taking the field against each other in a game that will likely confuse the press and fans alike as two teams just three years apart meet for the right to fight on for the title of best Bills team in history.’

‘We’ve talked in detail about a surface called "SportTurf." It’s almost a combination. It looks like grass, but it’s more artificial. Seattle played on it last year at the University of Washington, and it got rave reviews from their players and the visiting teams’ player. The surface was a good surface to play on, so we’re going to look into it.’

The Boston Globe reviews the teams that helped themselves the most this offseason. Bills rank #9.

‘The Bills are not in the top 10 in talent but they’re better than last year’s record, and new coach Gregg Williams has them working overtime for the first time in years.’

Bills receiver and two-time Pro Bowl player Eric Moulds hasn’t let his rich new contract spoil him. Moulds, who signed a six-year, $40 million contract this offseason, has been one of the most active participants in the team’s voluntary offseason conditioning program. Moulds usually spends his offseasons near his home in New Orleans but recognized the importance of buying into the new system.

Very last item on page:

Fingers of blame were pointed by several black assistant coaches within the NFL at Donohoe for not hiring Baltimore defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis as the team’s coach after the Ravens won the Super Bowl. Lewis finally has made it clear to Donohoe that he harbors no ill feelings over being bypassed

The deal includes a signing bonus of $450,000 and base salaries of $209,000 (2001), $298,000 (2002), $389,000 (2003) and $418,000 (2004). The 2001 cap value is $321,500. It is only the second contract beyond the second round this year to be for more than three years.

‘Linebacker Brandon Spoon made his wife and and nine-week old daughter, Avery, a little happier last week when he signed his contract with the Bills.’