Two Bills Drive

‘The reality is this. London Fletcher, at 27 (as of May 19), is the same age as the man he replaced and though he isn’t a healthy Sam Cowart, he’s an awfully good player. Fletcher is squat – 5-10, 240 – but a sideline-to-sideline defender who has a non-stop motor and a vocal approach to leadership as compared to Cowart, a lockeroom leader who did it by example.’

‘Moore had an offer to be the backup tight end to Mark Bruener in Pittsburgh. He also had an offer to stay in Tampa. But he took the Bills’ offer because it should provide more playing time.’

‘The signing puts current tight Jay Riemersma in a precarious position. The Bills asked Riemersma if they could cut his $2.53 million salary this year by about $1.25 million and he refused, according to ESPN.’

‘”Alex and I were always on the same page back in our college days, I always knew what he was thinking. Both of those guys came out to dinner with me when I was up there and it was good to see them. I actually helped recruit Ruben to the University of Pittsburgh so we go back a ways.”‘

‘Last year he caught a career-high 35 passes and led the Bucs with five TD receptions. Moore, who will turn 33 in November, is a former University of Pittsburgh teammate of QB Alex Van Pelt and offensive guard Ruben Brown, and those players helped convince Moore to choose Buffalo.’

‘”The Bills’ offensive coordinator [Kevin Gilbride] is very big on using two tight ends, and that’s how I got my start here in Tampa, so either way I’m going to be able to contribute,” Moore said. “That’s the big reason I decided to make the move. Believe me, I gave Tampa an opportunity to get something done, and I had a couple of conversations with [Coach] Jon Gruden and he wanted me to stay. We just couldn’t come to terms.”‘

‘”I had a couple of conversations with (Gruden) and he wanted to keep me,” said Moore, who says he believes he can play for three more seasons. “We discussed the ways he was going to use me in his offense, different things. But the bottom line is, it comes down to the numbers. When push comes to shove, the Bucs weren’t willing to go where Pittsburgh and Buffalo wanted to go.”‘

@ Who is the most underrated player in the league?

"I’m not just saying this because he’s on my team, but London Fletcher. People don’t really understand what he means to the team and to our defense and how much of a force he’s been. Not just this year, but over the past three years.

TBD contribitor Gina ‘Moose’ Mustico does wallpapers for the Buffalo Bills. This Month – new starting #10 QB Alex Van Pelt.

‘It is believed that new Bucs coach Jon Gruden wanted to retain Moore, but the 32-year-old instead decided to head north where he will join two former teammates at the University of Pittsburgh — quarterback Alex Van Pelt and guard Ruben Brown.’

‘The contract will be for three years and is worth $3.8 million. The addition of Moore could result in the release Riemersma, a solid five-year veteran whose statistics rank among the top five in the league at his position. The Bills last week requested that Riemersma accept a salary reduction of about $1.25 million from his scheduled 2002 compensation of $2.525. Riemersma declined the pay cut.’

‘Tight end Dave Moore, who played nine seasons for Tampa Bay, was signed Monday by the Buffalo Bills.’

The Bills today announced that the team has agreed to terms with tight end Dave Moore, an unrestricted free agent.

‘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.’