Two Bills Drive

‘Besides Rogers, the Bills have another breakaway threat on punt returns in cornerback Nate Clements, who returned one 66 yards for a touchdown last year. Clements would love to get more chances to return punts than last year, when he fielded only four.’

‘A week away from opening day against the Jets in Ralph Wilson Stadium, the defense, and the improved special teams under eight-year veteran Danny Smith, may turn out to be Buffalo’s best hope.’

‘The SUV easily is the most popular vehicle among the Bills. On any given day, 50 or so Denalis, Escalades, Lincoln Navigators, Ford Expeditions, Toyota Range Rovers and Jeeps give their parking lot the appearance of a timber sports competition in the Adirondacks.’

‘There is no mistaking the Bills will be better. How could they not be after 3-13? A climb to .500 would be a substantial step, and given the talent upgrades throughout the roster, it is imminently possible.’

‘"I think anything’s possible," says Bledsoe, who looks like a man bent on proving that he still has plenty of good football left in his 30-year-old body. "Teams flip-flop in the standings in a hurry. It seems like every year, somebody new is winning division titles. So why not us this year?"’

‘"Some weeks, some people won’t be as involved, but for the most part, we expect to be (a productive offensive team)," Price said. "We have a lot of weapons, good tight ends, Larry Centers, Travis Henry, Eric Moulds. This list can go on and on. We have a lot of playmakers so hopefully we can spread the ball around."’

‘While Bledsoe’s departure may have divided some Patriots loyalists, it clearly has united the citizens of Bills Nation. The dawn of the Drew Era in western New York has fans stoked as they prep for next Sunday’s National Football League opener against the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The dress rehearsals indicate that Buffalo may have the last laugh; that this won’t be another tragic comedy, a la Rob Johnson.’

‘The Bills will be one of the league’s most improved teams. But let’s not give them too much credit. How about 8-8?’

‘No matter how bad the Bills D turns out be — and it could really be bad — Bledsoe will keep most games close.’

‘For starters, they got a future Hall of Famer in Bledsoe for next to nothing and they’ve surrounded him with soft hands. Wide receivers Eric Moulds and Peerless Price, fullback Larry Centers and tight end Jay Riemersma were already onboard and then the Bills added second-round draft choice Josh Reed, a nifty wideout. The first-round pick was offensive tackle Mike Williams, who will protect Bledsoe’s back.’

‘Watson fits the mold the Bills desire in their cornerbacks. He has good size – 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds – so he can defend tall receivers. And he’s comfortable playing man-to-man coverage, which the Bills emphasize.’

‘Only about 400 scattered seats are left for the Sept. 8 game in Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills also have three other games that are close to being sold out. A little less than 1,000 seats remain for the games against Chicago on Sept. 29, Oakland on Oct. 6 and New England on Nov. 3.’

‘For the half, Buffalo’s first unit rushed 10 times for 15 yards.’

‘Like the offense and defense, the Buffalo Bills special teams units rode a roller coaster in Thursday’s 20-13 loss to the Detroit Lions in the final game of the preseason.’

Q: Will the Bills go to the 4-6 defense this year? I thought they were going to run it last year.

A: The Bills wanted to switch to the 4-6 defense but they simply did not have the personnel to do it last year. That, however, changed CB Nate Clements entered the starting lineup. With Clements and Winfield, the Bills have two CBs capable of playing on an island, which is exactly what the aggressive 4-6 defense needs to be effective. How important is it? Two of the biggest reasons the Titans had such a down year in 2001 were injuries in the secondary and the inability of their corners to play on an island.