Two Bills Drive

‘"This is so great," he said. "After the game, my buddies, who have been Bills fans for 15 years, wouldn’t talk to me."’

‘When he finally was hauled down, it was at the Bills’ 28-yard-line. Buffalo kicker Brian Moorman followed the brilliance of tackling Jenkins with a boneheaded unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. And almost all 63,698 in the house plus thousands of Bills fans had to know what was coming next.’

‘Though crushed at the defeat — he was close to tears in the Bills locker room — Johnson refused to say the winning score was the result of charmed Flutie fortune. "He didn’t luck into it, he played well," Johnson said. "He’s a competitor and we had a chance to sack him. He spun out of it and made a play."’

‘Even the diehard Doug Flutie fans need to cut Rob Johnson at least a little slack now. If he could play special teams – if anybody could – maybe the heartbreaking 27-24 defeat the Bills suffered yesterday to the Chargers and their old pal, Doug Flutie, could have had a happier ending for fans on the Niagara Frontier.’

‘But in a scene that was eerily reminiscent of a deciding kickoff return in a playoff loss at Tennessee two years ago, the Chargers’ Ronney Jenkins returned the ensuing kickoff 72 yards to set up Flutie’s clinching heroics, something Bills fans got used to seeing him do the past three seasons in Buffalo. "Another day at the office, I guess," Flutie said.’

‘But fate doesn’t like Johnson. Neither do the football gods…’.

‘Wilson, the Bills’ ultra-competitive 83-year-old owner saying he wanted to beat the Chargers more than he wanted to win this season’s Super Bowl, raised eyebrows around the league, but he gets my applause.’

‘Special teams — Brian Moorman was called for delay of game on the opening kickoff and it didn’t improve much after that. The kickoff team allowed the mistake of the game — Ronney Jenkins’ 72-yard return plus an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Moorman to the Buffalo 13, setting up Flutie’s final heroics with 1:10 left. Kicker Jake Arians was 1-for-3 with the potential tying kick from 44 yards blocked in the closing seconds. D’

‘”I thought he played the best game he’s ever had,” Wilson said. “We just came out on the short end. I am not going to second-guess anything.”‘

‘After the game as the players were shaking hands, Flutie looked toward the Buffalo sideline, but Johnson raced into the dressing room. “We just don’t get along personally and I respect him as a player and that’s it,” Johnson said. “I saw him before the game and just gave him a what’s up.”‘

‘Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News has some harsh things to say about Doug Flutie, the former Bills’ quarterback, now playing for the San Diego Chargers.’

‘Now comes the Bills, who on the surface look as dangerous as a domestic cat. But considering all that’s riding on this game, their claws will be sharpened.’

‘The blueprint for defending the 4-2 Chargers is no secret: Keep rookie back LaDainian Tomlinson in check; keep Flutie in the pocket by having the defensive ends stay in their rush lanes; make Flutie try to beat the defense with throws to the sideline and deep down the field.’

‘The list is scribbled toward the back of the notebook he uses for scouting opposing players. The rookie cornerback opens it daily, making sure he’s keeping an eye on receivers around the league while keeping tabs on himself. It reads: 1. Improve every day…2. Be the best defensive back in the league…3. Lead the league in interceptions…4. Defensive rookie of the year…5. Pro Bowl..6. Best kickoff and punt returner…7. The word "can’t" is not an option for me.’

‘They are two guys with strong ties to Buffalo. But any feelings Vaughan Parker and Ed Ellis have for the Queen City will be put aside today. Parker and Ellis are offensive linemen for the San Diego Chargers, who host the Buffalo Bills in Qualcomm Stadium. "I grew up in Buffalo, so I was a big Bills fan," Parker said. "I still want them to do well…when we’re not playing them."’