--The Bills were elated to land defensive backs Ashton Youboty in Round 3 and Ko Simpson in Round 4. Each could have been picked in the first or second round and critics wouldn't have raised an eyebrow. Why did they fall? "Maybe we're just smarter than everybody else," Bills scout Joe Haering said with laugh. "You look at our board, and we feel we have them in good order, and then someone falls. It's need and fit into a system. Some people play more zone, or two-deep, and are looking for a different player. When looking for a player, you grade him as an athlete and a college player but also how he fits your team."

--The Bills are eyeing RB Fred Jackson as a possible No. 2 back behind Willis McGahee. The 6-1, 210-pound Jackson enjoyed a strong year in NFL Europe for the Rhein Fire and was named Offensive Player of the Week for a 22-carry, 154-yard effort against Cologne. On Rhein's first play from scrimmage, Jackson raced down the field for an 80-yard touchdown, the third-longest rushing play in NFL Europe history. The Coe College product finished the season ranked second in the league with 731 rushing yards and was one of only two players with 1,000 yards from scrimmage (1,048 yards). He arrived from Europe this week to take part in organized team activities in Orchard Park.

--The Bills are conducting the first of three consecutive organized team activities this week. Rookie draft picks, per NFL rules, can't participate until after their schools' exams are finished. Top pick Donte Whitner and third-round pick Ashton Youboty of Ohio State likely won't participate until after June 8.

--Coach Dick Jauron on players participating in off-season programs: "It's critical, and I suspect everyone feels that way around their off-season program. I have a lot of faith about what our guys do (on their own), but we want our guys to be in our program, doing the things we do. We feel it benefits them."

--Bills Pro Bowl punter Brian Moorman, a three-time national champion and 10-time All-American in track at Pittsburg (Kan.) State, was inducted into the NCAA Division II Track and Field Hall of Fame this week.

--WR Kyle Smith, son of ex-Bills assistant GM A.J. Smith, now of the San Diego Chargers, has signed a free gent contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Kyle Smith starred at Youngstown State, catching a team-high 37 passes for 482 yards and five TDs as a senior. He's also a skilled punt return specialist.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I do feel like I'm more mentally prepared, because going through a season you play Notre Dame and Michigan and Texas and a lot of these big schools. We play in front of 105,000 plus every Saturday. We have one of the largest fan bases in America. I've talked to Troy Vincent and I already know guys like Nate Clements and London Fletcher, and they tell me all the time to come in, learn the defense, and eventually you'll be out there. There's no need to worry, no need to get nervous." -- Bills top pick Donte Whitner of Ohio State on handling the pressure of being a first-round pick in the NFL

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