Two Bills Drive

‘"There are no hard feelings toward Buffalo. They have a new coach and new general manager, so they wanted to go in a different direction. But I knew I could still play in this league, and New England gave me the opportunity. I’m just happy to be in a place where I’m wanted."’

I believe Jim Kelly is worthy of the Hall of Fame and I think he’ll make it. He was one of the great quarterbacks of his era — maybe not in the Elway and Marino class, but a great passer on a Bills team that did something remarkable (four straight Super Bowls). Not only that, but Jim has a heart of gold.

”It’s an honor to be considered by such a fine organization like the Bills," Ramsdell said. "Right now, I’m just trying to get through this week and go from there."’

‘Saimes returned to Canton the same year his playing days ended. That was 1974. He is 60 now and has worked as a scout in the NFL the last 18 years. Currently, he works for the Houston Texans.’

‘"I’m not saying Kelly is Montana, but we don’t need to take up our time. He should be in."’

‘"I’m flattered," Ramsdell said Wednesday morning. "I’m honored the Bills would consider me. Nothing has happened to this point. I’m just trying to get through this week right now. We’re pretty busy. But I will talk to them at some point after this week."’

‘The deal is worth about $6 million, according to Van Pelt’s agent, Eric Metz, and could more than double in value if certain incentives are met.’

‘Phillips flew in from his home in Austin, Texas, to meet with head coach Dan Reeves for a second interview Wednesday. Following the all-but-certain approval of the sale of the Falcons to Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank Saturday in New Orleans, Phillips is expected to be named the defensive coordinator.’

‘"It’d be accurate to say he’s more than the leading candidate," the source. "It’s his job, and he wants it. We just have to wait until this weekend before we can say anything."’

‘The Dolphins did not want to risk losing Shula if they cannot land Turner as their offensive coordinator. However, if Turner joins Wannstedt’s staff, then Shula could become a candidate in Buffalo if its job remains open.’

‘"I’m flattered the Bills were interested in me as their offensive coordinator," said Shula, who held that position in Tampa Bay from 1996 to 1999. "Right now, I’m happy here in Miami and I’m looking forward to continuing to contribute to our success next season whether it’s in my current role or any other capacity that Dave wants."’

‘There’s no devastation worse than losing the game. Even though you feel great exhilaration when you win and great despair when you lose, the exhilaration never exceeds the intensity of the despair.’

‘The wisdom in Western New York is that, well, they might have lost four in a row, but at least they got there. This is, of course, nonsense.’

‘"The doctors really did a great job. I can’t jog but, I couldn’t jog before so it’s not a big deal. But I’m pretty close to getting back to where I’m at least 80 percent. I don’t have any real problems doing anything that I need to get this job done at this point. If I was lifting bales of hay, it’d be a problem."’

The Buffalo Bills re-signed quarterback Alex Van Pelt to a five-year contract, rewarding the longtime backup for capably filling in for injured starter Rob Johnson.

It’s a hefty raise for Van Pelt, who earned the veteran’s minimum of $477,000 last season [plus $10,000 per TD bonus], and comes two years after he found himself on the verge of forced retirement.