Archives for August 1999

‘Smith is expected to make his pro debut tonight in a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. It won’t amount to much — after signing a contract earlier this week, the quarterback from Oregon needs to catch up before he can play much.’

‘Phillips has been evasive and prickly about the subject of his quarterbacks, each of whom earns a starter’s salary. “Maybe I’m being hard-headed about it,” Phillips said. “We’ve got two good quarterbacks, our team is happy about that. That’s it.”‘

‘NFL rosters must be trimmed to 65 players by Tuesday, making tonight’s third preseason game at Cincinnati a night of last auditions. Making the game more critical for those on the bubble is that Bills coach Wade Phillips plans on using much of it honing his first units and working on things they will be operating this year. If some starters need rest, they can take it next Saturday when the Bills end their practice schedule at home against Pittsburgh. What it means is less opportunity tonight for newcomers to make a good impression.’

‘”I don’t want to try to unseat Bruce or Phil because that’s not my position here,” Wiley said. “We have two great defensive ends already and hopefully I can step from good to great and the team would benefit from it.”‘

‘”You can see Keith has ability,” linebacker coach Chuck Lester said. “He’s got natural things that will allow him to rush the passer. He’s got body lean and he’s strong, the way he sheds blockers. He has improved every practice.”‘