Two Bills Drive

‘"Last year was one of the hardest ones for me to shake during the off-season," Bledsoe said. "I can’t claim that I’ve done any more work or worked any harder this year than I have in years past, but during the off-season I spent a lot more time thinking about football because I was so frustrated by what happened last year. I do have a sense that this year is an opportunity for us."’

‘Sunday will mark the fourth consecutive season and the 36th time in team history that the Bills have opened at home.’

”’I’m sure my time will come,” said Evans, who was limited to two catches for 12 yards. ”But right now, I’ve got to do the things that I’ve got to do to help this team win, whatever it may be.”’

‘”I know he’s pretty fired up,” said quarterback Drew Bledsoe. “He was pretty fired up for the first pre-season game, too, but this is for real. (Still) I expect him to be the way he’s been all along on game day. He’s very calm and right in the moment all the time.”‘

‘"Our group meets on one side and the Patriots fans have their area on the other side," said Shirley Trippany, secretary/treasurer for the group. "And they complain and say we make too much noise," she said.’

The key for Buffalo, as it figures to be most of the season, is to keep the Jaguars from launching a full-scale assault on the statuesque (and that’s not meant in the glamorous way it’s usually used) Drew Bledsoe by running early, often and then some more.

‘"I’m going to put pressure on myself because that’s what motivates me," Schobel said. "There’s always something to play for. You play hard for your teammates. I don’t like looking bad on film. When everybody watches it together, I don’t want to be the weak link."’

‘"Josh just looks a lot more comfortable," quarterback Drew Bledsoe said. "When he’s on the field, he’s ready to go play. There were times last year when I think some of the comparisons that were thrust on him were hard to deal with. But Josh had a great camp, he caught the ball very well."’

‘Coaching isn’t the real problem, though. It’s the personnel. Donahoe has brought in a lot of names, but he doesn’t have a playoff roster. Like the man who put it together, this Bills team is less than what it seems, a team that will struggle to be average.’

‘The defense is solid and could be aided by better ball control. It remains to be seen how the same defensive cast will create more turnovers. Good luck (in the form of health along the lines) is essential. Get ready for a lot of tight games. The Bills will need numerous fourth-quarter wins to make the playoffs. Look for a 9-7 finish but no wild card.’

‘"The game dictates what I like to call," Gray said. "I have to pick what’s working that day. It’s trial and error. I know their tendencies, but if they get ahead or behind, they may get away from some of their tendencies. Or maybe they’ve made adjustments and we’ve never seen the adjustments they’re making on the film that we’ve watched. Now it’s up to us to adjust."’

‘"Our approach this year is run the ball first, pound them with the running game and get the play-action going and not put too much pressure on our protection with the deep passing game," Bledsoe said. "I like that approach. It allows us to be more efficient and not so reliant on making big plays. We’ll be more consistent, move more methodically and control the time of possession better than we did last year."’

‘"It’s true on any team," Clements said. "In order to win in the NFL, you have to be able to run the ball and stop the run. There may be some exceptions in years past. If you can run the ball, you’re going to be in third-and-shorter situations where you don’t have to hold onto the ball a long time. The pass protection is still at a premium, but the quarterback can get it out of his hands quicker. It helps the offensive line."’

‘"If you’re a pounding running team, you need good, quality backs who can hold up," Mularkey said. "I think Travis and Willis give us a chance to have a very good rushing attack."’

‘"In this league any hesitation you can create on the offensive lineman gets you one step closer to the quarterback," Posey said. "We’ve been able to create that hesitation."’