Two Bills Drive

‘"The protection was outstanding," said quarterback Drew Bledsoe. "We ran the ball well at times, so that gives me a reason to be very optimistic about what we’ve done so far as far as the changes."’

‘"I try to come back stronger and faster and more mentally prepared as far as knowing the schemes and the defense," Clements said Friday. "I know the defense now. I’m expanding on it by knowing what all the guys around me are doing to help me be in the best position."’

‘”Both clubs are trying to establish identity, both clubs are trying to look good against an opponent and, you know, we play a contact sport,” Bills cornerback Troy Vincent said. “It’s a physical and emotional game, so you’re going to have emotions flaring because everyone wants to make a play. (The gunner drill) is the highlight of the morning. It got the juices flowing.”‘

‘”Sometimes with rookie quarterbacks, if they’re not absolutely positive where they should go with the ball, they should just take it and run. With him, that’s OK.” Bills coach Mike Mularkey on fleet QB J.P. Losman.’

‘”I think we have some talent,” said McNally, who as one of the most respected line coaches in the league knows what he’s talking about. “I don’t know how much depth we have, but we have some guys with experience.”‘

‘”At this point, I want to show them that I still can play the game,” said McKenzie, a nine-year NFL veteran. “Right now, I’m not worried about the season. I’m worried about this preseason, about making the team. I want to show that I’m able to run, do good things and make plays.”‘

‘General manager Tom Donahoe and Jim Overdorf, the Bills vice president of business administration, had only around $4 million in rookie pool money to get their six picks signed. They had to get creative with the distribution of bonus money to first-rounders Lee Evans and J.P. Losman, getting them to accept deals that pay out the money over two years. “We ended up with a about $1,000 in our rookie pool,” Donahoe said, sounding dead serious.’

‘The teams love seeing an opponent. Said Buffalo receiver Josh Reed, "The offense is running smoothly. The younger guys are getting everything down pat. They’re getting everything under their wings and everything seems like it’s rolling right now."’

The Bills are doing an interesting thing in an effort to get Bledsoe to get rid of the ball quicker and avoid sacks this season. Starting this offseason, Buffalo has been using a four-second clock on pass plays in practice, with an alarm clock buzzer going off when time is up.

‘”I think we have enough guys to win with,” Mularkey said. “I know I have an advantage of talent level here compared to some other new coaches. But still, it’s basically the same team that went 6-10, so you’ve got to find a way to get them confident about themselves. That’s what you do constantly from the very first time you step in front of them to present the staff and your plan. They’ve got to know that they are a good football team.”‘

‘According to the Bills RB, he felt the knee buckle a bit and admitted he was scared, however Henry added that he feels fine and he should be OK.’

‘A .500 season looks like a reasonable expectation, and if those questions receive positive answers, the Bills could have a shot at 10 wins and a return to the postseason.’

”’He doesn’t seem like a first-time NFL head coach,” Bledsoe said Friday after Buffalo’s practice with Cleveland at the Bills’ suburban Rochester training camp. ”He seems like a guy that is a very natural fit for the position.”’

‘Gildon said the Bills are in for a challenge this weekend and should get a great test from the Browns. He said they always come to play and never back down. "It’s going to be a very spirited and physical practice as well as scrimmage," Gildon said. "Those guys want to come down with the mind set of getting something done and we’re going to take the same approach. We’re going to go out there and be physical and get something done. It’s going to be a good one."’

‘On the four-second ‘quarterback alarm’ on Bills QB Drew Bledsoe during practice:

That’s been the history of that clock. That clock is supposedly a sack. We are presented as when that clock goes, throw it to your check down, your outlet, and that’s still giving him time before a sack. He’s done really well with it, we chart it and monitor it everyday and let him know what he’s done, and for the most part he’s getting it out of his hands.’