ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – He wasn't gloating or taunting or anything like that, but Howard Griffith made sure Henry Jones saw his new Super Bowl ring.

The two former Illini – class of 1990 – were together at fellow alum Mike Bellamy's wedding this summer, and everyone was admiring Griffith's new jewelry. It came courtesy of Denver's win over Green Bay last winter.

"Man, it looked good," said Jones, entering his eighth year with the Buffalo Bills. "It was a big ring. We were happy for him."

Happy but jealous. Griffith's 1 for 1 in Super Bowls. Jones is 0 for 3, starting in 1993 and '94 at strong safety.

"I feel like I've got some more work to do," Jones said. "I went to three Super Bowls and didn't win one. I'd really like to win one. I've talked to Howard about it quite often."

The Lombardi Trophy is the ultimate goal for the 30-year-old Jones. He'll probably have to return to All-Pro form and the defense will have to carry the Bills to the postseason.

Jones missed the last three games of 1995 with cartilage trouble in his left knee and played five games before a broken leg knocked him out of '96.

"It was getting pretty frustrating," Jones said. "I had success early in my career and in the middle I got bogged down. It was a trying time. But through the grace of God and hard work, I got through it."

Jones missed Week No. 3 last year but finished second on the team with 122 tackles. That wasn't enough for a guy who made Pro Bowl in 1992 and was an alternate the next three years.

"He still wasn't 100 percent last year, so he couldn't play the way he wanted to play," defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell said. "He's got a lot of pride. He didn't show (frustration), but you could sense it and see it was burning inside him."

Cottrell said Jones, who had 13 interceptions in 81 career starts, has had a great camp. He's healthy, strong and still one of the few safeties that can go one-on-one with NFL receivers.

"He looks like the Henry Jones of the All-Pro years," Cottrell said. "He's moving around now. He's not sore. He's not hesitant when he's making breaks. He's back as good as new."

Cottrell now believes the hype he heard when Jones was the Bills' No. 1 draft pick in 1991. The Bills are on their second quarterback in two years since Jim Kelly retired, so they'll need Jones, Bruce Smith and the rest of the defense to pick up the slack for a young offense.

"I've got a good feel for this team," Jones said. "We'll do anything to improve on six wins. I think if we get four more, we'll be in the playoffs and probably win our division with 10 wins."

Ten could be the magic number for his career. He wants at least three more seasons before he looks into opening a chain of gas stations or a gym.

"I want to get to double digits," he said. "I'll think about it from there. Eventually, I'd like to own a franchise, work on my handicap."

Budding Bill

Cottrell also praised John Holecek, a former Illini who will start in the middle of Buffalo's 4-3 defense. Holecek started the last eight games of 1997 because of Chris Spielman's neck injury.

Spielman will sit out 1998 to help his wife cope with breast cancer and tend to their two young children. That's opened the door for Holecek, who's fought injuries in each of his first three years in the league.

"I never had any doubt about John's playing ability," Cottrell said. "It's always been a question of his health. But he's got his quickness back, believe it or not."

Holecek, who started the year on special teams, led the team in tackles three times during his eight starts. He registered the first full sack of his career when he popped Steve Bono in the season finale.

Former Illini in the National Football League

NAME, LAST UI LETTER, TEAM, POS, HT, WT, COMMENT

Blackman, Ken '96, Cincinnati, G, 6-6, 315, Third-year pro anchors young line

Brown, Cyron '96, Denver, DE, 6-5, 241, Will learn behind Neil Smith

Dilger, Ken '95, Indianapolis, TE, 6-5, 259, Could be closing in on Pro Bowl

Engel, Greg '94, Oakland, C, 6-3, 285, Raiders' new No. 3 center

George, Jeff '89, Oakland, QB, 6-4, 210, Big numbers, except in win column

Griffith, Howard '90, Denver, FB, 6-0, 240, First Illini since 1984 on Super Bowl winner

Hardy, Kevin '96, Jacksonville, LB, 6-4, 249, Healed and ready to be a star

Hartley, Frank '90, San Diego, TE, 6-2, 268, Sharing starting spot after best pro season

Holcombe, Robert '97, St. Louis, RB, 5-11, 216, Hill signing hurt starting chances

Holecek, John '95, Buffalo, LB, 6-2, 238, Will start opener in middle

Hopkins, Brad '92, Tennessee, OT, 6-3, 295, McNair's high- paid bodyguard

Jones, Henry '90, Buffalo, S, 5-11, 198, Healthy veteran hoping for offensive help

Rice, Simeon '96, Arizona, DE, 6-5, 260, Wadsworth should ease double teams

Stallings, Dennis '96, Tennessee, LB, 6-0, 234, Get used to special teams

Turner, Scott '95, Washington, DB, 5-10, 180, Still sprinting on kick teams