Two Bills Drive

‘"It’s tough to deal with," said Williams, shaking his head. "Even now, it’s hard to believe he is gone." "He" is Ted Washington, the Pro Bowl nose tackle who was released by the Bills last month. To Williams, Washington was more than just a vital element of the Bills’ defense. He was Williams’ confidant and closest friend on the team.’

‘He signed with Buffalo as a free agent in 1998 and started all 16 games that season, but missed all of 1999 after undergoing surgery to repair a bulging disc in his neck. He was able to rejoin the team last season, but a series of nagging injuries, as well as the play of Pro Bowler Ruben Brown and Jamie Nails, kept him on the bench for the entire season.’

‘Waived by the Buffalo Bills for salary cap purposes in February, Panos has started 56 of 83 games in seven NFL seasons.’

‘The Bills will play preseason games at Pittsburgh and at Cincinnati. Their home games will include the Rams and the Eagles.’

‘He signed with the Buffalo Bills in 1998 and started every game that season. But he missed all of ’99 after surgery to repair a bulging disk in his neck, and missed three games last year with injuries to his right heel and knee.’

Mel Kiper lists each AFC team's major draft need. His opinion? The Bills need to get help on the offensive line, at cornerback, and on the defensive line.

‘When the Buffalo Bills conducted their three-day practice last week, Jerry Ostroski was lined up at right guard instead of the center position he played last season. It appears the position switch will be permanent.’

‘Washington is an unrestricted free agent after his release last month by the Bills. He decided to leave Buffalo rather than agree to a cut to his $5.28 million base salary. He met at Halas Hall with the Bears on Monday and would like Miller and his agent to get together again.’

‘"If they work something out with my agent and the negotiator here, it’s pretty much a done deal," the 6-5, 350-pound Washington said. "I like what I see and I’ll fit in good." The Bears are trying to be patient and prudent with the $4 million of salary-cap room they have remaining.’

‘[Ted Washington] could spend weeks visiting other interested employers, but he didn’t seem eager to do so at Monday afternoon’s Halas Hall press conference. "Hopefully not," he said of the possibility of taking other trips. "I like what I see here, and think I’ll fit in good."’

‘Van Pelt, a dependable backup with the Buffalo Bills for six seasons, re-signed, as expected, with the club yesterday. The Bills are switching to the West Coast offense under new coach Gregg Williams, the quick, rhythm passing attack that Van Pelt operated at the University of Pittsburgh in the early 1990s where he broke many of Dan Marino’s records.’

‘The Bills as usual did not disclose terms of Van Pelt’s contract — which is believed to be at or slightly above the veteran minimum salary of $477,000 for 2001, with a small signing bonus.’

On Buffalo’s cap situation:

We don’t think [it’s all cleared up], though we’re trying to. At least right now, the cap is at a place where it’s manageable and we can survive on a daily basis. Each time we go to sign somebody, it has implications with the cap, and we have to study it and look at it. We’re going to have to continue to do that.

‘"Everyone wants to play, but Rob’s the guy," Van Pelt said. "There’s no question. There was no question in my mind all along. What helps me is that I know my job: Be ready to go at the No. 2 or No. 3 spot and support the guy who’s in there."’

‘After two years of salary-cap-forced purges, the Bills aren’t out of the woods just yet. Although the situation is more manageable, Donahoe said he doesn’t expect to be comfortably clear of the cap until next year.’