B U F F A L O   B I L L S
Go-To Guy | Weakest Link | Burning Question | Offseason Movement

Glance Head coach: Gregg Williams 2001: Results 2002: Draft picks Training camp: July 24 at John Fisher College in Pittsford, N.Y.  2002 Schedule Date  Vs.  Time  Sept. 8  NYJ  1 p.m.  Sept. 15  at Min.  4:15 p.m.  Sept. 22  at Den.  4:05 p.m.  Sept. 29  CHI.  1 p.m.  Oct. 6  OAK.  1 p.m.  Oct. 13  at Hou.  1 p.m.  Oct. 20  at Mia.  1 p.m.  Oct. 27  DET.  1 p.m.  Nov. 3  N.E.  1 p.m.  Nov. 10  Open     Nov. 17  at K.C.  1 p.m.  Nov. 24  at NYJ  1 p.m.  Dec. 1  MIA.  1 p.m.  Dec. 8  at N.E.  1 p.m.  Dec. 15  S.D.  1 p.m.  Dec. 22  at G.B.  1 p.m.  Dec. 29  CIN.  1 p.m.

By B. Duane Cross, CNNSI.com

Looking for this year's Patriots, a team that can jump from the shadows and step into the spotlight? Take a gander at the team, Buffalo, that landed New England's $100 million man.

Drew Bledsoe was dealt to the AFC East rival Bills in large part because of the Pats' infatuation with Super Bowl-winning QB Tom Brady. After all, Bledsoe had taken New England to the promised land, but come up empty. Brady, in just his second season, brought home the brass ring.

Never let it be said that the Patriots aren't about "What have you done lately?" Never mind that without Bledsoe playing the role of super sub the Patriots might not have defeated Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship Game.

With the addition of Bledsoe, Buffalo becomes a bona fide contender for New England's crown. The Bills' offense -- now directed by Kevin Gilbride -- has a leader who can get the ball downfield to receivers Eric Moulds, Peerless Price and Josh Reed, the team's second-round draft pick.

Toss in a complimentary backfield led by Travis Henry and Larry Centers, and Buffalo -- with the ball -- is as dangerous as almost any team.

There is a learning process that goes on, but we have a long ways to go," Bledsoe said during April's minicamp. "I'm new and I'm still trying to get acclimated to the new terminology and so on. It's an ongoing process, but by the time we come to training camp I would expect it to be my offense."

When the Bills' opponents have the ball, well .... in the words of head coach Gregg Williams: "There's a lot of work to be done before the end of training camp."

In particular, Buffalo's pass rush must improve. Linebackers Keith Newman, London Fletcher and Eddie Robinson are solid behind defensive tackle Pat Williams. However, rookie defensive end Ryan Denney must develop on the fly a pass rusher. If not, Newman, a good pass rusher, may line up as a defensive end.

Centers, who joined the team last season, already can see a difference in the team's attitude. "You talk about night and day," he said. "Last year was so dim around here. It looked like there wasn't any light at the end of the tunnel. But there's such a different attitude around here now. We're walking with a swagger. That's something we didn't have last season."

Fact Drew Bledsoe becomes the second high-dollar QB the Bills have turned to via trade -- and we all remember Rob Johnson. ... The last Bills-drafted QB to throw for 300 yards in a game: Jim Kelly (Dec. 8, 1996).

Drew Bledsoe, QB -- Christmas came early for Bledsoe, when the Bills traded their first-round choice in 2003 for him April 21, the second day of the '02 draft.

And he immediately went to work making an impression on his new teammates; three days after the draft, Bledsoe attended the rookies' minicamp.

"You don't get another chance to make a first impression," he said. "That is important, but at the same time the process for me is going to be one where on a day-to-day basis I'm going to have to show a willingness to work hard. I'm going to have to be here for the team and do that vocally and with my actions."

One thing going for Bledsoe is Gilbride, whose system plays into Bledsoe's strengths: intermediate and deep routes.

"I think he's still got a lot of good football left in him," Gilbride said. "He's certainly smart, and he's got one of the better arms in the league. We're trying to rebuild this offense, and he'll be energized because he wants to prove to everyone else that he can still play. He'll be a little more hungry, a little more determined.

I'm sure he worked hard before, but sometimes, without realizing it, when you come to a new situation, you work harder."

Buffalo hasn't had a lot to cheer about in the wake of Marv Levy's 1990s Bills. But even Levy thinks things are back on track in Orchard Park. "You never know until it works out, but I think it's a coup on the Bills' part. They've got an experienced -- not old -- quarterback who has a good work ethic and who happened to fall available because of circumstances in New England.

"And they got him exceptionally cheap. People say, 'Oh, they gave up a first-round draft choice.' Gosh, if you picked in the first round, you'd love to get a quarterback like Drew Bledsoe."

Fact Teammates with the Bills, Erik Flowers (Theodore Roosevelt High) and Sammy Morris (John Jay High) played against each other while growing up in San Antonio, Texas.

Defensive line -- A tough call, considering the defensive backfield is iffy, but as they say, "It all starts up front."

The retirement of DE Phil Hansen will prove tough to overcome. Aaron Schobel, another DE, had 6 1/2 sacks as a rookie, but otherwise it's slim pickin's on the edges. Denney, a second-round pick, was a "need" pick because former first-rounder Erik Flowers has been spotty, at best. Kendrick Office is another candiate to replace Hansen.

The Bills say DT Williams is making good progress after having surgery on both ankles during the offseason.

"He's worked very hard," Gregg Williams said. "He's passionate about playing the game. I'm looking forward to him being in the best shape he's ever been in. When he comes to training camp, he's the old veteran. He's got to step up and produce and show the way.

"There were times early in his career when someone took him underneath their wing and now it's time for him to do the same thing for the young guys here."

There certainly are enough of them around for Williams to mentor. The key, again, is that it's time for them to take their game to the next level.

"I don't care who plays right now or who starts or who lines up," defensive line coach John Levra said. "They all know what counts -- who is there at the end of preseason."

Of course, should the opposition break through the first line of defense, there's always the secondary....

In his fourth year, will Peerless Price shoulder his load on offense?

Moulds remains the top downfield threat, but Price must elevate his game to become someone who can eleviate the double coverage on Moulds.

Price has improved his total catches and yards during his first three years, and had a career-high seven touchdowns last season -- two more than Moulds. Now, with the addition of Reed, Price is a viable option who has become 1a. in the Bills' receiving hierarchy.

Both Price and Moulds -- disgusted with the Bills' offensive ineptness and who even talked openly about opting for a basketball career -- did their share of griping last season.

After the Bills acquired Bledsoe, Moulds was clearly rejuvinated. "Drew loves to throw the ball deep and my thing is going to get it," Moulds said. "I think that Kevin Gilbride is a traditional offensive coordinator that loves to throw the ball down field.

"I haven't been this excited in a long time," Moulds said. "I talked to Peerless, and he can't wait to get started."

But if there's any one reason for Price to have a career year, know this: He will be a free agent after next season.