Two Bills Drive

‘After losing two games to upper-echelon teams, the Bills will face a Pittsburgh club that, like it, isn’t going anywhere this season. The Steelers have not played in three weeks, so they’re either going to be rusty from the layoff or fresh and eager because of it. If the Steelers are fresh, the banged-up Bills must avoid falling behind early. If the Steelers are rusty, the Bills need to take control of the game.’

‘For the Bills offence to develop some consistency, it may have to come on the back of Henry, a second-round pick from the University of Tennessee. The sooner Henry hits his stride the better for the 0-2 Bills, starting with today’s meeting with the 0-1 Pittsburgh Steelers at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘The Bills are without middle linebacker Sam Cowart, their best defensive player. He’s done for the season with an injury. His backup, Brandon Spoon, is also out. They will start Kenyatta Wright, a second-year, undrafted player from Oklahoma State in the middle of their new, 4-3 defensive scheme. It should be a good place for Bettis to run.’

‘The offensive and defensive systems being employed by new Bills Coach Gregg Williams are still causing the players to think instead of react. However, he knows how to defense the Steelers because he did it when he was the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. Cowher and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey will have to make quick adjustments once they determine how the Bills are going to try to stop them.’

‘Today, the two former associates, who together built one of the best teams in the AFC in the 1990s, send their teams against each other at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Donahoe is president and general manager of the home team, the Buffalo Bills. He won’t admit it, but he would like nothing better than to whip Cowher’s team. Cowher remains coach of the Steelers and holder of the keys to the Rooney kingdom through 2005, along with a salary that eventually will approach $3 million per year.’

‘Right about now the Bills are looking like a considerable underdog themselves, but that’s not about to bother Brown. "It’s football to me," he said of all the organization’s changes. "I go out and block and try to do my job. I have fond memories of the times that I spent with the former guys and I cherish them, but those guys are gone. I’m still here and I have to play games and try to win, so I don’t dwell on it. But there is a great history here and we are trying to build on that."’

‘Although it was over in a matter of moments, it hasn’t been forgotten more than a month later. On one hand it was only a practice, a training camp practice at that. On the other hand it was a profound example of just how dominant a cornerback Chad Scott can become when he puts his mind to it.’

‘Their opponents this week, the Buffalo Bills, have played as badly as everyone expected in their first two weeks, and, consequently, have generated very little buzz.’

‘Trips to Buffalo haven’t been easy on the Steelers, but this one figures to be easier than most. The weather should be passable and the opponent – minus Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, Bruce Smith and the rest of those Super Bowl Bills that used to give the Steelers fits at Ralph Wilson Stadium – should be much more forgiving. Although road games are never a "gimmie," this is one road game a playoff team ought to be able to win.’

‘Analysts considered Casey Hampton to be something of a "reach" when he was drafted 19th in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers last April.’

‘The Bills’ most critical injury, however, may have been the torn Achilles tendon suffered by middle linebacker Sam Cowart in the opener. Cowart, who made the Pro Bowl after making 181 tackles in only 12 games last season, was expected to be the lynchpin for Williams’ new 4-3 defense. He was replaced last week by rookie Brandon Spoon on running downs and by Kenyatta Wright on passing downs. Spoon was injured in the game and will join Cowart on the sidelines today. "I’m not crying that he’s not playing," said Steelers running back Jerome Bettis. "I never wish injury on a player. I just hope he recovers 100 percent from it. But he’s one of those guys where you kind of give a sigh of relief when you hear he’s not playing."’

Buffalo’s defense couldn’t have played much worse than it did during the first two games. The Bills will have to improve in that area without their best defensive player. Buffalo takes on the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ralph Wilson Stadium in a matchup of winless teams.

‘It’s no wonder Donahoe was less candid discussing payback against the Steelers. "We have our issues we’re trying to address. That’s where our concentration is," Donahoe said. "But as far as me being a factor in the game, I’m not a factor." But in some ways he is.As the first executive to hold the title of president in franchise history, Donahoe is front and centre in overseeing a new Bills era. Since taking over in January following John Butler’s dismissal, Donahoe has brought in a new coaching staff, headed by rookie Gregg Williams, defused a quarterback controversy by releasing Doug Flutie in favour of Rob Johnson, and is attempting to rebuild the Bills from scratch.’

‘The Bills today announced offensive tackle Jon Carman has been signed to the 53-man roster.’

‘"If he gets a little excited, he’ll get out of the pocket and scramble on you and hurt you that way," said Smith. "You do get a little excited when he holds the ball, but you have to be conscious of getting overaggressive and he takes it up the field and the defensive backs are running downfield and he’s getting a big gain on you. You can’t let him sit there and pick you apart. If you get some pressure and get in his face and disrupt his throws, you can get some interceptions and knockdowns."’