Two Bills Drive

‘"It’s going to be exciting considering I used to watch those guys on TV when I was in college," Smith said. "I think it’s going to be a big test, a big challenge."’

‘”I remember my first game there,” said Bills guard Chris Villarrial of a 1999 trip with the Chicago Bears. “I looked up in the stands and this kid was probably 8 years old and he was giving me the finger, and he was standing next to his dad. You can expect the unexpected at this place. It’s unusual. It’s going to be a loud environment.”‘

‘Gannon said he was “totally” surprised that Mularkey, whom he played with in 1987-88, delved into coaching because in the 1980s he seemed a better fit for Saturday night at the comedy club than drawing up X’s and O’s on a Sunday afternoon.’

Walker suddenly starting on bench (Oakland Tribune)

Gannon works on quicker release (Oakland Tribune)

Walker left out in O-line shuffle (Contra Costa Times)

Johnson waits for turn to contribute (Contra Costa Times)

Top pick Gallery unseats Walker at right tackle (San Jose Mercury News)

Ex-teammate Mularkey to coach against Gannon (San Jose Mercury News)

Raiders’ game Sunday not on TV (San Jose Mercury News)

Rice adjusting to new role (San Francisco Chronicle)

As usual, no local TV for Sunday’s home opener (San Francisco Chronicle)

Gallery replaces Walker at tackle (Sacramento Bee)

Are team’s multiple sets too complex? (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

Rookie Gallery to make first NFL start as Oakland’s right tackle (AP)

‘"Thank God for guys like him. He’s what we hope the makeup of this team is going to be when it’s all said and done."’

‘Henry, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher, remains the starter. He ground out 75 yards on 23 carries against the Jags. But don’t be surprised if McGahee receives more carries as the season progresses, maybe even Sunday when the Bills visit the Oakland Raiders, who start run-stuffing Ted Washington and Warren Sapp on the defensive line.’

‘"I’m a little interested to see what that’s all about," Bledsoe said. "I’ve heard about it and I’ve seen it on TV. I know it’s a crazy, crazy place to play. And I hesitate to say I’m looking forward to it, but it’s certainly one of those unique experiences in the NFL."’

‘Playing well isn’t the same thing, though. Attention to detail and game awareness are just as crucial as the willingness to bang your head against a locker-room wall, and the vaunted (in some circles) Bills defense came up woefully short in both categories on Jacksonville’s final drive last week.’

‘"Coy is a tremendous role model on and off the field, who is willing to work hard to help this community," said Joe Ferrino, Vice President of the local McDonald’s Co-op. "The McDonald’s team appreciates Coy’s devotion to the community and his dedication to this program. The opportunity for local students to have an NFL player as their principal for a day is exciting and we could not do this without Coy."’

‘"We can go out and get a win and not play well. Where does that put us going into the off week?" asked offensive tackle Jonas Jennings. "We’re always looking to go out and play to win, it’s never looking ahead saying `man what if we lose this game then we got a bye week?’ If you lost you definitely got a sour taste in your mouth and you can’t wait to the next game. Our next game is in Oakland, and it’s a west coast trip. We just got to go out there and man it up and play football."’

”’It’s killing me not to be out there,” he said. ”I’m a guy that prides myself being loyal to myself, loyal to my teammates, one of the guys that’s dependable. But sometimes when nature takes its course, you can’t do anything about that."’

‘"Playing in the ‘Black Hole" is different," Reese said. "You’ve just got to focus on your game and what you’ve got to do. It’s a totally different atmosphere. It’s like Halloween is coming early. As far as the costumes go, you see everything from A to Z."’

‘A committee comprised of community leaders will review the nominations and select the 10 finalists and name the 2004 Buffalo Bills Community Quarterback winner. The Buffalo Bills Youth Foundation will then award each of the 10 finalists with a $1,000 grant for their charitable organizations, with the winner receiving an additional $10,000 grant. Winners and their agency contacts will also be recognized on the field at the Bills-Steelers game on January 2.’

‘"We watched the tape and Monday and moved on," cornerback Troy Vincent said of the last-second loss to Jacksonville. "They won, we lost, and we’ve got another opportunity this weekend as we travel out to Oakland. We’ll get it together and see if we can have another good defensive performance but this time seal the deal."’

‘This year marked the third consecutive year that the Bills in the Tops Rookie Club attended the event. Students in the Buffalo area have been unable to attend field trips in the past few years due to the Buffalo Public Schools funding crisis. The lack of funds has forced the school board to cut all field trips from the curriculum.’