Two Bills Drive

Shout’s Lary Bump breaks down the Bills re-signing of Eric Moulds: ‘Eric Moulds will be a Buffalo Bill for the next six seasons. He and the Bills signed a contract Friday, Feb. 16, that will keep him in Buffalo through the 2006 season. The amount of the contract wasn’t disclosed, but a source said estimates of $40 million-$45 million were accurate.’

Peter King writes: ‘Buffalo did the right thing in paying through the nose — about $6 million a year — to keep wide receiver Eric Moulds. Why? One AFC scout told me this week the Bills have no offensive weapon remotely close to Moulds in his ability to break a game open. As the scout said, Moulds can turn every eight-yard cross into a Randy Moss – type home run. Buffalo has no one else to strike fear into a defense. Though the Moulds’ signing will likely cost the Bills the services of valuable defensive players Ted Washington, Phil Hansen and John Holecek because of salary-cap constraints, this was easily the most vital of new GM Tom Donahoe’s goals.’

Mike Doser likes what he hears from this new cast of coaches: ‘Bills coach Gregg Williams introduced his offensive coaches Thursday afternoon. All of these people seem to be well spoken. Fans should enjoy this new era of Bills football simply because these coaches have no problem communicating their thoughts to the public. It’s refreshing.’

‘"Eric wanted to be here. He wants to be a part of what we’re trying to build here. He’s made a commitment to us and we’ve made a commitment to him," Donahoe said.’

‘"I could have gone on the free agent market, but I wanted to be part of something big with the Buffalo Bills," Moulds said. "I always wanted to remain a Buffalo Bill."’

‘The Buffalo Bills re-signed one of the players that would have been a hot commodity on the free agent market, as WR Eric Moulds Friday signed a long-term deal to remain with the franchise that drafted him in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. As per team policy, the length and terms of the deal were not disclosed.’

‘A 4 p.m. ET news conference has been scheduled for Friday to announce the signing.’

‘CNN/SI’s Pat Kirwan follows a possible path relating to Marcellus Wiley and the Bills cap woes in general. It doesn’t look good.’

‘The media blitz by Bills’ personnel continues as John Butler held a press conference Wednesday and participated in a radio call-in show from the Indy Combine, Friday night.’

‘On Thursday, Mike Sheppard began what is sure to become an exhaustive, monumental task: Explaining his offense.’

‘Somebody pinch me. These new Bills coaches actually like to talk. Sipowicz couldn’t have gotten a straight answer out of the old regime. Ask Gregg Williams a question, he recites the NFL Encyclopedia.’

‘The NFLPA released the new figures, which were set to coincide with the increase in the league’s salary cap from $62.4 million to about $68 million. Under the new scale, veterans with five or more seasons will be paid a minimum of $484,000, up 9.1% from the $440,000 minimum of last season. The scale runs down to $212,000 minimum for players with less than one year’s experience. The tender offer for free agents also went up. A team must now offer a RFA $519,000 if it wants right of first refusal on him. Last year, that figure was $471,000. If a team wants first refusal and a first-round choice for a free-agent, the minimum tender is $1.13 million. For 1st and 3rd round choices and right of 1st refusal, it’s $1.508 million.’

‘Apparently the battle will rage on until they do. Please let it end!’

‘Wiley is chosen by one of the editors at Pro Football Weekly.’