Two Bills Drive

‘There weren’t a lot of other positives for the Bills on this warm summer night, especially during a dreadful second half when the Bengals possessed the ball nearly 23 of the final 30 minutes.’

‘As Bledsoe trotted off the field, his Buffalo "rookie" jitters behind him, he was serenaded to a sound that could become habit this fall, "Drewwww!" "Drewwww!" "Drewwww!"’

‘The Buffalo Bills are talking a good game regarding stopping the run this season. That can’t be bad because having confidence is a positive first step in the pursuit of any goal.’

‘In two series, Buffalo’s first team defense delivered some blows, but also surrendered 96 yards and a touchdown. “We had them in some third-and-long situations, and we were unable to stop them from converting,” admitted middle linebacker London Fletcher, echoing a persistent problem last season.’

‘”He knew he had a limited amount of time and he never was flustered,” Bills coach Gregg Williams said. “He did a good job with the team on the sideline and a good job with the team in the huddle. His presence was felt from the moment he stepped in the stadium.”‘

‘The Bengals outgained the Bills 371-228 yards and achieved the balance they like. They had 190 yards passing and 181 yards rushing, including an even 100 by second-year back Rudi Johnson. Johnson averaged 7.1 yards on 14 carries.’

‘Last season, the Bengals allowed an average of 19.3 points a game. The goal for 2002 is 14. The defense allowed 302 yards of offense a game. The goal is 280.’

‘While Bledsoe was in the game, though, the Bills’ first offensive unit looked sharp.’

”’I was pleased with the play of all of the quarterbacks,” LeBeau said. ”It was probably th e highlight of the game. All three of our quarterbacks exhibited poise and the ability to come back from some negative pl ays.”’

‘The reason Cincinnati trailed at halftime was because Buffalo quarterback Drew Bledsoe outplayed all three of his Bengals counterparts. Although he threw an interception, Bledsoe was laser-sharp in completing 9 of 11 passes for 136 yards with two TDs. He found Eric Moulds from 31 yards and Peerless Price from 12 yards for scores.’

‘Bledsoe put on a dazzling show, completing 9 of 11 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns, including a 12-yard TD pass to former Meadowdale High School star Peerless Price, in 18 minutes as the Bills built a 17-7 lead.’

‘Jones entered the Bengals’ 24-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Cincinnati’s first offensive series of the second quarter. He played the remainder of the game. He committed another penalty in the second half, a 10-yarder for illegal hands to the face, but he didn’t allow a sack. And the Bengals rushed for 133 yards on 26 carries in the second half.’

That wasn’t Rob Johnson wearing No. 11 for the Buffalo Bills, and those weren’t boos coming from the stands on Friday night.

‘The Bills lost their preseason opener, 24-17 to the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday night. But the significance was Bledsoe’s poised performance in his Buffalo debut.’

‘”I’ll be honest, I had a little pregame jitters going on,” Bledsoe said. “I was a little nervous, a little anxious. I was real excited to get out there and get a game under my belt.”‘