‘But it isn’t rustiness that concerns the Steelers. It’s frustration. That can surface when a defense faces a team that can’t protect the quarterback, can’t get the ball to their best wide receiver and has an offensive line that is hurting both in performance and health.’
BillsBeat - September 28, 2001
Steelers Report
‘Bills right tackle Jonas Jennings did not practice yesterday and is not expected to play. That means former Steelers tackle Kris Farris, a No. 3 draft choice in 1999, could start against his former team.’
Stillers-Bills: Who can minimize mistakes?
‘Expectations should be low for this game….it’s going to be sloppy and the victor will be the team that self-destructs less. Despite the slop, I’ll still be back in my glory watching Stiller football again! Look for Pittsburgh to get back in the AFC Central hunt with a 16-13 victory.’
BillsBeat - September 27, 2001
Moulds remains questionable for Steelers game
Receiver Eric Moulds, nursing a sprained left shoulder, missed his second straight day of practice on Thursday and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game with Pittsburgh.
Coach Gregg Williams held out hope that Moulds would be able to work out on Friday and be ready for Sunday’s game. If not, the Bills (0-2) will use Peerless Price as their deep threat, and elevate sparingly used Avion Black as their third receiver.
Steelers DE Smith brushes off Bills' tough talk
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith laughed when told that Buffalo Bills quarterback Rob Johnson sent a pointed message his way.
The particular play in question was Smith’s 8-yard sack of Johnson.
In the process, Smith ripped Johnson’s helmet off by the face mask. He was penalized, but a visibly shaken Johnson threw an interception to Deshea Townsend on the next play.
Game Prediction - First win of the year
Pittsburgh (minus 3) at Buffalo
Gregg Williams, inspired by the movie, has ordered an official Bubble Boy uniform to help keep quarterback Rob Johnson healthy.
BILLS, 24-20 (ATS: BILLS)
Modrak may not last the year
Director of football operations Tom Modrak, ousted by the Eagles this offseason and picked up by the Bills, may not be with Buffalo for more than a year. A league source has told ESPN Insider that Modrak may be in line to replace Randy Mueller as the Saints general manager next year.
Steelers could be rusty
How will the long layoff affect the Steelers?
I don’t think anyone knows the answer to that question. One of the scary things could be the Steelers’ sharpness of play and all the things that needed to be fine-tuned after Week 1. The coaches won’t know if they got fine-tuned until they line up against the Bills on Sunday. Being game-time sharp is much different than being practice sharp. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Steelers were rusty.
Donahoe gets his shot at Steelers
‘"If this game would have occurred a month or so after I left Pittsburgh, it would be different," he maintained. "But it’s been a long time and it’s not a news item any more … I’m a Buffalo Bill. We have our football team and we have our issues that we’re trying to address and that’s where my concentration is." And if you believe that …’
Steelers' Hard-Luck FB Kreider Hurt Again
‘Kreider fractured a finger in his right hand during practice. He’s listed as questionable for Sunday’s game in Buffalo, but obviously won’t be 100 percent.’
Steelers Rested, Bills Hurting
‘Cowart’s injury has been talked about as the most detrimental to the Bills, because of his importance in the defense. Yet, Ostroski and some other key members of the Bills’ offensive line, including starting right tackle Jonas Jennings (doubtful, leg) and starting left tackle John Fina (questionable, leg), are down and that could spell even bigger problems for the Bills – and more happiness for the Steelers defense.’
Steelers hope for progress
‘The Steelers are like sharks this week. They smell the blood in the water.’
QBs on the hot seat
‘When the Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) meet the Buffalo Bills (0-2), the game is more likely to come down to which quarterback can avoid losing the game rather than which quarterback can take the game by the throat and win it.’
Bills tighten security, plan pregame tribute
‘The team on Wednesday announced security measures that will be in place Sunday, but also said there will be a tribute to the terrorists’ victims. Some types of vehicles will be barred from stadium parking lots, and several items that fans are used to carrying into the games will be banned at the stadium’s outer gates. Aircraft will not be permitted overhead. But a pregame ceremony will pay tribute to the terrorists’ victims, miniature U.S. flags will be distributed, and many local firefighters and police will be on hand.’
Cowart lands on injured reserve; offensive line losing bodies
‘A sign on the entrance to the Bills’ locker room Monday: ATTITUDE. Blame No One Expect Nothing/ Do Something.’