Two Bills Drive

‘Meanwhile, first-year Raiders’ coach Norv Turner is delighted by the intimidating reputation of his team’s home field. “It’s hard to play here,” he said, “just like it’s hard to play in Pittsburgh or Buffalo. We’ve got to make it a homefield advantage. We have a great start with our fans … they’re fabulous and they’re different, but we have to do what it takes at home to ignite them.”‘

‘Q: How long is it going to take you to make $1 billion? A: It’s something I threw out there. I don’t know. Say, 10 to 15 years. I think that’s conservative.’

‘"They’ve got a tough defense," Bledsoe said. "They’re not afraid to come after you with the blitz because they have one of the best corner tandems in the league in (Charles) Woodson and (Phillip) Buchanon. Those guys can cover man-to-man as well as anybody. When they leave those guys in coverage we’re going to have to make plays against them."’

‘It’s the longer kicks that he falters on. The longest field goal Lindell hit last season was a 44-yarder – every one of the other 31 NFL teams had a kicker make a longer field goal than that.’

‘”I do feel like we have enough (talented) skill position guys that the big plays are going to happen for us,” Bledsoe said.’

‘"I hesitate to say I’m looking forward to it, but it’s certainly one of those unique experiences in the NFL,” he said. "Like I guess, without being there, it’s kind of like going to Green Bay. It’s just one of those unique places in the league where it’s an experience to be a part of it.”’

‘“Last year we really struggled with our passing game,” Bledsoe said. “Our stud, our horse in the passing game, Eric Moulds, was hurt most of the year. And we really didn’t have a speed guy to stretch the field. We made too many mistakes offensively to consistently move the ball. This year I do feel like we have a team that can execute in that manner.”’

‘Not so important that either team should refer to it as a must-win game, he added. “It can be done if you go 0-2,” Bledsoe said. “But at the same time, that’s a pretty big hole to have to start digging yourself out of to start the season. So, this is a pretty pivotal game for both of us, even though it’s very, very early.”‘

Illegal contact? No problem (Oakland Tribune)

Bledsoe knows slow start is no reason to panic (Contra Costa Times)

Bills’ Bledsoe seeking change of fortune (San Jose Mercury News)

A new challenge for Bledsoe (San Francisco Chronicle)

Bills’ Bledsoe is prepared for a ‘Black Hole’ welcome (Sacramento Bee)

Defensive backs fit right in (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

‘Having faced the Bills five times in the past three years (3-2 record), he knows Buffalo defensive coordinator Jerry Gray inside and out. "Put the tape on from say Week 2 of last year when we played them and you see guys grow and understand the defense better and not make the little mistakes," he said. "There’s no question that the Bills defense is as talented as any in the league. Jerry’s done a great job with them and they continue to get better."’

‘”When they pressure us we’re going to have the opportunity to take some shots,” Buffalo quarterback Drew Bledsoe said. “They are aggressive in the secondary, both at the corner position and their safety’s they’re aggressive as well. There should be some chances to take the ball down field against these guys.”‘

‘Bouncing back from a loss like last week can be difficult. Do you see this team being more resilient than last years? And, what role do you feel you play getting the offense rejuvenated after last week’s loss?

EM: We just have to go out there and play a lot better. I think when we have an opportunity to put teams away we’ve got to put them away. When we have an opportunity to make plays we have to make them. It was a loss and losses always hurt you but at the same time we have 15 more games left and we’ll go from there and hopefully things will work are way.’

‘Raiders 26, Bills 21.’

‘Oakland 24 Bills 17.’

‘"The General Manager of the restaurant, Jimmy Peterson, is a Bills fan," said the club’s co-president Kim Montoya. "When he approached one of our members [about making the restaurant the new home for the group], my husband and I went over and tested the wings. Then we were all set."’