Two Bills Drive

"I think the Patriots will win," says Tom Donahoe, the Bills’ general manager. "The final score might be 3-2. This will be one of those knockdown-dragout, old-fashioned games in which every inch will be hard to come by. I am going to ride the hot horse all the way to the Super Bowl. There is something special going on with them, and the players have totally bought into it and totally believe in it, and I think it will carry them to New Orleans."

There may have been flashier running backs in the Buffalo Bills storied history. Surely there was one who had the best season ever for the team. But there was no runner who was better all-round than Thurman Thomas.

Vic Carucci makes the case that the Patriots, like the Bills when they rallied from a 32-point deficit in 1993 to win an overtime wild-card game against the Houston Oilers, might be a team of destiny who are going to win despite playing better teams.

‘Other players with suspect futures on the team and who would represent cap savings to the Bills if taken by Houston are cornerback Ken Irvin ($4.2 million) and defensive end Erik Flowers ($1.1 million).’

Donahoe admits that the team’s decision to chop away salary cap excess made for a tough 2001 season. “We were up front with the people what we were doing and what we were trying to do.” he said.

‘Your kind words over the course of my career left impressions that will not be forgotten. The heart of Western New York is its working class people and I, for one, am grateful to have been associated with this community and its citizens.’

‘Last year’s draft, Donahoe’s first, added five starters. The next draft will need at least that many to push the Bills toward progress in 2002.’

‘Kelly was all football player. Two weeks from now, if there is any justice in the world, he will realize his life’s dream when he is voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.’

‘The other prime candidates to be on the Bills’ list appear to be cornerback Ken Irvin, tight end Scot Osborne, tackle Kris Farris, receiver Avion Black, safety Raion Hill, linebacker DaShon Polk and defensive tackle Leif Larsen.’

‘He retired maybe a season or two too soon. But he retired for the right reasons. "My focus, after Hunter was born, had to be somewhere else," Kelly said.’

‘"I really felt like we established a strong foundation," Williams said the other night. "I feel like the development of the young players that are going to take this franchise into the future, a lot of things were accomplished in that area."’

Bill Bradley, former Bills DB coach (1998-2000) brought to New York Jets last year by Ted Cotrell, is a candidate for the Defense Coordinator position for the Washington Redskins. Redskins sought permission after interviewing Kurt Schottenheimer for the DC job.

‘So the typical reaction of some – "Why doesn’t he just relax and enjoy doing nothing?" – is absurd for anyone who knows Marv Levy. "There are eons to do nothing," he says.’

‘… the History Channel has just the special for you. At 10 p.m. Tuesday, the basic cable channel partners with NFL Films for “Stories From the Hall of Fame: Pro Football.” Hosted by Hall of Famer Howie Long, two of the five stories involve Bills.’

‘Grumbling among players during the season was directed mostly at the play-calling of offensive coordinator Mike Sheppard and at offensive line coach Ronnie Vinklarek.’