Two Bills Drive

@ The ever-affable Cottrell, of course, was a significant factor in Cowart moving to southern New York. "He taught me the NFL game from the LB position," Cowart said. "Some people told me when I dropped from the first round to the second round that maybe going to Buffalo was like a blessing in disguise, and it definitely was. As soon as I walked in, Teddy and I kind of connected, and I give him the credit for the player I am today."

‘Riley figures to be the much more expensive of the two. He is a former first-round draft choice who has started the past four years for the Chiefs at right tackle. He missed the last 10 games of last season with a broken right leg.’

‘Blake said he probably will choose between the Redskins and the Buffalo Bills within the next few days.’

‘Blake visited Buffalo on Thursday before flying to Washington for dinner with Spurrier and owner Dan Snyder, and the Bills are prepared to give him their starting job. With Washington, Blake would have to beat out Danny Wuerffel, another Spurrier protege, and youngsters Dameyune Craig and Sage Rosenfels.’

‘Houston tendered [Kris] Brown an offer that would make his first-year salary cap figure about $1.2 million. They structured the contract with a higher first-year salary-cap as an attempt to thwart the Steelers’ willingness to match it. The Buffalo Bills also considered presenting Brown with an offer sheet, but he prefers to play in his native Texas.’

‘The team made a formal offer to restricted free-agent kicker Kris Brown late Friday evening, but the offer sheet was completed too late to reach the league office by the close of business. It will be filed Monday morning. Brown, who spent the past three seasons with Pittsburgh, also visited Buffalo but prefers Houston because it’s only four hours from his hometown of Southlake.’

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.’