Two Bills Drive

‘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.’

‘"We could do that," Donahoe said, "and that’s still an option that we’ll certainly take a look at. I don’t like it because I think sometimes it creates hard feelings. But in the system that we have it’s available to us. We would be foolish if we didn’t explore it."’

Donahoe reiterated that Buffalo will not offer Johnson a long-term contract extension and still prefers a deal that allows the team one more season to evaluate him. The indications are that Johnson won’t accommodate the club with that kind of contract.

‘”I think it’s totally unfair to expect a player, who would normally get his bonus at one time, be expected to tier it in a way that means he has to audition,” Burrough said. “Once you activate a player, then you’ve determined by activating him that he’s ready.”‘

The Bills signed 3 free agents: WR Reggie Allen (1999, 2001 Bills training camp), WR Scott Keys (Eagles 2001 camp), and Safety Chad Sears (1996-2000 University of North Alabama).

‘The Buffalo Bills signed three free agents on Friday, including receiver Reggie Allen, who spent part of last year on the team’s practice roster.’

Marv Levy opened the door to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jim Kelly might be the first to follow him in. In his first year of eligibility, and a year after Levy was inducted, Kelly was among 15 finalists announced for selection into the hall. The class of 2002 will be determined on Feb. 2, a day before the Super Bowl, following a vote of the hall’s board of selectors.