Two Bills Drive

Schottenheimer denied Smith permission to attend the Hall of Fame induction of former coach Marv Levy, because of jealousy of Marv’s Bills besting Marty’s Chiefs in the 1993 AFC championship game. The snub against Levy was both very, very small on Schottenheimer’s part and got him off on such a bad footing with Smith, Washington’s best player, that by early October, Bruce was denouncing Schottenheimer on-camera to ESPN’s Andrea Kramer.

‘As for his own fate, Johnson admits, "Obviously, I didn’t expect to get hurt this much … that’s been my problem here. But I think over the last three years, I think I’ve played very good football … winning football."’

Some good things happened during the bye week. The Bills were able to place on their website pictures and profiles of the new Jills cheerleaders.

"After watching yesterday’s ballgames, getting a chance to see some of the things that took place, and you can see again, the division is wide open," Williams said. "Everyone in our division has at least two losses, we need to win in front of a national spotlight, and get on a roll right now. We have the opportunity to play emotional, the way we need to play when we get down there, and that is wide-open football and have a chance to get a win here."

"I’d have to say have the guys have confidence in me. If you prepare yourself well, when you come into the game, you give off a feeling of confidence. If the guys believe in you, there’s not a lot of drop off. Some places, if you’re not prepared, and don’t know how to call the plays in the huddle, or aren’t familiar, the guys will say ‘great.’ When you’ve done your work and prepare as the starter, the guys respond well."

‘"I’m excited," he said. "I had some good times down there. I have some really good friends. . . . I’m just looking forward to having the chance to play against some of the guys I used to play with."’

‘Black is expected to see more action with the offense Thursday when the Bills visit the Jacksonville Jaguars. McDaniel missed practice Monday with a high ankle sprain and likely will be sidelined against the Jags.’

‘So how can Williams keep this team from quitting? How can he keep their spirits up and get them to work harder, play better, and maybe win a few games during the final three-quarters of the season? "As a professional football player and as a coach you’ve got to maintain the course," Williams said yesterday during a break in preparation for Thursday night’s nationally televised game in Jacksonville against the Jaguars. The logical question here would be ‘What is the course?’ because thus far, this team seems to be farther off course than Christopher Columbus when he set sail in 1492.’

‘Still, Hansen’s status for the Jaguars is questionable after he re-aggravated his injury in practice on Sunday. He was able to practice yesterday at the stadium but was still favoring the arm.’

‘NFL Crazy Lenses, retailing for $120 to $150 a pair, are being sold as accessories, not to correct vision. They will initially be available in designs of a handful of teams, including the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders and Minnesota Vikings.’

‘A surfer who practically grew up on the beach, the former Jaguars quarterback is as loose and laid back as ever these days. Even in frigid Buffalo, Johnson’s Southern California roots are still showing. "I’m just having fun and rolling with it," he said. Listening to Johnson joke and laugh, you would never know his career with the Bills — not to mention Buffalo’s season — is crashing down around him.’

‘Coughlin also was asked how he felt about the nearly 8,000 empty seats at Alltel Stadium for the Browns game. "It obviously isn’t an inspiration," he said. "It’s not as exciting. The full support is lacking to a certain extent. Does it have anything to do with how we play? I hope not."’

‘The completion rate against the Bills so far is an astounding 67 percent. Buffalo can’t stop the run and applies almost no pressure (just five sacks in four games), so it’s little wonder the Bills are giving up 32 points a game.’

Dick Roach was a coach with the Buffalo Bills from 1987-97.

The absence of defensive coordinator Joe Pascale due to back problems has caused problems with Chargers defense and Roach worked with Butler in Buffalo.

The Jaguars confirmed late this afternoon that this Thursday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills will be blacked out to the Jacksonville tv market.

Nearly 6,000 tickets remained at the close of business today. The blackout marks the 2nd consecutive regular-season Jaguars home game not to be televised in Jacksonville.