Two Bills Drive

‘You never know. They might even make that playoff run. But give them room to exceed your expectations. If it happens, let it be a surprise.’

‘The Bills will double their win total, to 6-10.’

‘Williams has always been a big dude. He was 6-4 and 330 pounds when he graduated from high school at age 17. Surprisingly, his father and brother are about 6-feet and weigh in the 160- to 185-pound range. His mother is 5-foot-1.’

‘Cancer cost him one kidney and a rib, but it did not steal Gilbride’s spirit. In a way, it was symbolic of the highs and lows he experienced for his 50 years.’

‘The Buffalo Bills’ offensive line is tougher, meaner and more athletic than the 2001 version. It is also much younger and less experienced.’

‘"I’m looking forward to the season getting started," he said. "The coaches have told me that we’re going to run the ball a lot, and I think I’m ready to make things happen this year."’

‘"Like everybody else around here, I didn’t know much about him before he came," says Bills fullback Larry Centers. "But the thing I’ve been impressed with is his leadership qualities – the ability to not even hesitate, not even blink, to step forward and speak to the team and talk about something that’s not getting done right, something we need to work on as a team. He is willing to speak up. He’s not afraid at all to step on that soapbox."’

‘Today is the deadline to submit your picks for week 1 of the pool. Don’t be left out!’

‘The Bills’ prospects this season are riding on Bledsoe. Their young defense is not looking strong to open the season. The team will need Bledsoe and the offense to play well right away if it is going to have a good start to the 2002 campaign.’

‘So this Sunday, two of the game’s stars will try to prove themselves all over again. It doesn’t matter how well Cowart was playing for the Bills before he went down on that afternoon in Tampa two seasons ago, or how much money the Jets paid him as a free agent. No one really cares what a good soldier Bledsoe was after losing his starting job to Tom Brady during New England’s improbable run to the Super Bowl. No one talks about the $103 million contract he signed before his final, ill-fated season with the Patriots. It’s what you do on the field that matters.’

‘Ahanotu, the 10th-year veteran who started in Tampa and St. Louis, is expected to play most first and second downs against the Jets. But he also will get snaps in pass-rushing situations, both at end and tackle.’

‘"Man, it puts a lot of pressure on me," Cowart said. "I definitely have to step up and meet the requirements. But I think everything will be good. We have a lot of good guys up front, and we have Marvin and Mo (Lewis), guys who are definitely going to help me. If I do what I’m suppose to do in the defense, it’s going to put me in position to make plays."’

‘[Q:] How will Bledsoe hold up playing behind a young offensive line? [A:]We really think that Drew will do a lot of things for the offense and mask several young players as they get acclimated to the league because he’s been in the fires before. The fact that he may have to move around mobility-wise will be some of the things we will design also. So we’re fine with that. The big thing is Drew won’t panic.’

‘Pressure’s on: Gregg Williams, who got the job over the Ravens’ Marvin Lewis a year ago. Williams’ defense was slow to jell and his offense too inconsistent. He can’t afford another 3-13, and he’s got the added pressure of playing in what might be the NFL’s best division.’

‘Newly signed tight end Cory Geason received a crash course in special teams play on Wednesday and could even see duty in short-yardage situations when the Buffalo Bills kick off the regular season against the New York Jets on Sunday.’