Two Bills Drive

The Buffalo Bills would like to congratulate their 2001 Class of Blue Coats on a job well done. The Blue Coat annual awards reception was held Friday, February 22nd at Brierwood Country Club and top Blue Coats were recognized for their accomplishments in 2001.

‘"I think this is a great place to play, because they have a chance to win," Riley said.’

‘"Buffalo seems like a nice city, the coaching staff seems sincere and it looks to be going in the direction I want to go. I want to be on a good team that’s on an upswing, and they’re definitely headed in the right direction."’

‘If Brees won the job, Flutie told his new head coach, he would be supportive as his backup. There would be no sulking. There would be no lobbying. There would be nothing associated with Flutie’s contentious relationship with Rob Johnson in Buffalo. In short, there would be no controversy.’

While the Denver Broncos continued to look at prospective left tackles, their starter at the position last season headed to Buffalo for a visit. Trey Teague, who is an unrestricted free agent, was scheduled to fly to Buffalo on Thursday night and meet with Bills officials today. Coincidentally, Victor Riley, whom the Broncos brought in for a visit Wednesday, also was scheduled to arrive in Buffalo on Thursday night. Teague has a standing offer to return to the Broncos, but he is testing the market to establish his value. Riley, a starter with the Kansas City Chiefs, also has visited Cleveland.

‘Blake first met Gilbride as a freshman in college at East Carolina, where Gilbride served as offensive coordinator.’

‘"It looks like a young team in some spots," Gilbride said, "but a team that has a chance to be competitive if we can just get a few more pieces put together and do a good job coaching them."’

‘The team said no change has been decided upon, but that paperwork has been filed with the NFL office.’

‘"It’s got everything I’m looking for," Blake said. That would be good receivers to throw to (Eric Moulds, Peerless Price), a coach he’s played for and respects (offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride), friends on the team and a nice community to raise his family.’

‘”My meetings [with the Bills] have gone very well. It’s refreshing that there are coaches who are different than Tom [Coughlin].”‘

‘But there are two issues with Blake. First is whether Spurrier believes the quarterback can fit into his offense. Second, whether the Redskins are willing to meet Blake’s contract demands. Blake would be more expensive than Matthews, who is scheduled to earn $750,000 this season.’

‘Williams doesn’t have to deliver a winning season to the rebuilding Bills, but he does have to show real improvement to avoid the hot seat. Another 3-13 level debacle and he might not be asked back for the third and final year of his contract.’

Jeff Blake’s right foot is the biggest question mark holding up a deal with the Bills. If Buffalo signs him, it will be facing a similar situation that it faced with Sam Cowart: the team will have to calculate the risk of buying a player’s services against the possibility that this player might never return to the form he once had before a debilitating injury.

‘"They have the weapons, the running game, the offensive line is coming along and definitely with (defensive coordinator) Jerry Gray bringing in the players he wants, they’ll have a good defense," Blake said of the Bills.’

The Bills have been busy entertaining free agents during the past two weeks as 10 different players have visited Buffalo.