Two Bills Drive

‘The Indianapolis Colts’ 25-year-old throwing machine is at the head of a successful new breed of young signal callers, a class that also includes Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb, Minnesota’s Daunte Culpepper, Cleveland’s Tim Couch and Denver’s Brian Griese.’

‘"We had not been trained to deal with a suicide hijacker because there had never been such a scenario," he said. "What occurred on September 11 was unprecedented."’

‘"My individual goal is to bring the best Larry Centers to the field each Sunday. I want all my teammates to know that I come to play and every play, when I get my opportunity I’m going to get the maximum amount of yards allowed me on that play. "That’s how I grade myself on film. I ask, ‘What could I have done differently to get more yards? How could I have played the situation better?’ That’s how I’ve come to analyze myself as a player, taking it play by play."’

‘The Bills must come out of the blocks fast. Falling behind on the road is never a good idea, especially not in the emotionally charged environment that will exist today. The offense has to get on track. You know the Colts are going to score points, so the only way Buffalo can win is to score more points. Pretty simple logic, right?’

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8. Buffalo Bills: 38 players, $11.3 million under.

The Bills are one of the best teams, salary cap wise, as of Sept. 13.

With 38 players signed they are $11.3 milion under the cap (not taken into account some bonuses, accelerations and other monies that could be earned).

‘"We like our kicker (Jake Arians), but we’re not trying to put him in the Pro Bowl," said wide receiver Peerless Price. "We have to find a way to score touchdowns on a consistent basis."’

‘Granted it’s only one week into the NFL season, but Rob Johnson’s rating, among the 32 quarterbacks ranked, is near the bottom in the league.’

‘"My whole take on it is the football season is basically September, October and November," Cowart said in his first interview since having surgery Monday to repair a partially torn right Achilles’ tendon. "The doctors said it’s going to take three months for it to heal. But when a doctor tells you three months, that’s really four. After those three months to get healthy, you then have to get back to where you are in football shape and at football speed."’

‘Spoon practiced extensively with the first-team defense during Friday’s practice. Kenyatta Wright is still expected to get the majority of snaps Sunday, but Spoon is certain to get plenty of action, particularly on early downs.’

‘Rob Johnson is becoming one of the favorite quarterbacks of "Edge NFL Matchup," the ESPN show hosted by Suzy Kolber in which analysts Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge dissect plays. According to the show’s publicist, Johnson’s play is analyzed for the second straight show this weekend, prior to the Bills’ game with the Colts. Johnson was critiqued briefly on the opening show prior to his poor performance in the New Orleans Saints game.’

With the Colts scheduled to move out of the AFC East and into the new AFC South next season, this also may be Buffalo’s last visit to Indiana until the 2006 season.

Buffalo has had a somewhat tricky time at the Dome, with the Colts having a 10-7 mark against the Bills at home since the franchise moved from Baltimore in 1984.

"I think if you look at the offense, it’s built around Peyton Manning," he said. "His arm, his mindset, his attitude, things are built around that."

‘Fina’s not going anywhere and he and his agent know it. Rather than signaling his exit from Buffalo, it’s likely Donahoe’s challenge was an effort to kick-start a player with whom the Bills are stuck.’

‘In facing a new Bills defense sporting a new scheme, Manning said he is prepared for anything. He’ll be looking for the big play, but only when it presents itself. "We’ve been a big-play offense, but my philosophy as a quarterback is never to force it at all costs," Manning said. "Against the Jets, we were trying to hit the big play, but the Jets played off and we ended up taking the short stuff and ended up having some good drives. You try to take what a defense gives you. In Buffalo, I see a very aggressive style and they’ve got a lot of confidence in their corners. "When you have good corners, it allows you to do more things and that’s an advantage the Bills have."’