Saturday, April 20, 2002
Bills back off deal for Patriots QB Bledsoe
The Cincinnati Enquirer
There may be no front-runner in the Drew Bledsoe trade front. Again.
The New England Patriots reportedly turned down Buffalo's latest offer Friday — a No. 2 pick in 2003 that would become a No. 1 pick if Bledsoe starts 12 games and the Bills make the playoffs — according to ESPN.com.
The Patriots declined, ESPN.com reported, because they are looking for draft picks this year.
Buffalo has the No.4 pick in today's draft.
Bledsoe, a former Pro Bowl and Super Bowl quarterback, lost his starting job last season to Tom Brady, who led New England to a Super Bowl victory.
The Bengals apparently aren't in the running for Bledsoe. They admittedly were interested a few weeks ago, but that waned when they were told Bledsoe didn't want to play for them.
Bledsoe later backed off of that stance, but by then the Bengals already had spent much of the money they had put aside for Bledsoe, using it to sign free agents.
The Patriots reportedly were looking for at least a first-round draft choice this year for Bledsoe.
If Bledsoe were to be traded, the Boston Herald reported, his new team would be responsible for his base salaries of $5 million, $5.5 million and $6 million the next three years.
Bengals Stories
Cubs 5, Reds 2
Reds box, runs
Casey comfortable despite beaning
Reds won't see Alou this weekend
Clement gets W to go with 12 K's
AP's gameday notes
Pudge may be headed for DL
NL: Neagle beats D-Backs
AL: Pedro rules Royals
RedHawks look for running backs to break out
Another Charismatic Lexington for Lukas?
Mickelson fires 64
Golf scores
First-round NBA playoff matchups
NBA Today
Red Wings, Devils in 0-2 holes
Serena ousted; Capriati moves to semifinals
Coming up this week
Moeller romps 11-3
• Return to Bengals front page...
Bills back off deal for Patriots QB Bledsoe
