Two Bills Drive

"We got after him early, but he didn’t let that ruin his day. He came out and played tough and made a lot of good throws. Because of him and the receivers they’ve got, it came down to a shootout. After they got back in it, it was hard for both sides I think."

"We’re happy with our situation and I hope they are. His (Johnson’s) last two weeks have been impressive. He started slow. He’s a great talent. He’s an unreal talent. All he needed was experience and a little bitterness to get out of his life. Right now he can’t be bitter at anything."

Johnson had better statistics than Flutie, but threw the interception that could have ended Buffalo’s afternoon and seemingly would deflate the Bills. However, Johnson’s resolve and play showed why the Bills wanted to make him the starter, and he came back to throw a 61-yard strike to Peerless Price to bring Buffalo right back in it.

‘The game was originally set for 4:15 p.m. The Bills believe the earlier time is better suited for their out-of-town fans to travel to the game.’

‘Kelly, fellow quarterbacks Bernie Kosar and Jim McMahon, tight end Keith Jackson, offensive linemen Ray Donaldson and Guy McIntyre, defensive linemen Ray Childress and Sean Jones, linebackers Darryl Talley and Clay Matthews and kicker Nick Lowery are former players eligible for the first time.’

The kickoff times for three November NFL games have been changed, the league announced. The changes are to accommodate CBS and FOX broadcast patterns.

11/04 Cleveland at Chicago 4:15 -> 1:00 CBS

11/04 Indianapolis at Buffalo 1:00 -> 4:15 CBS

11/18 Chicago at Tampa Bay 4:15 -> 1:00 FOX

Take Pompei’s comments for what they are worth…..Of course, Jake Plummer, Drew Bledsoe, Akili Smith or Charlie Batch also could be starting for the Texans next season. Johnson, if exposed by the Bills, would be enticing because Texans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer had success with him as coordinator in Jacksonville and always has held him in high regard…

‘"As tough as it is to lose a ballgame like this at the end," Williams said, "I thought our guys grew up today. But we’re still our own worst opponent."’

‘Johnson had to work for every point and almost every yard the Bills got. With Buffalo’s running game stuck in neutral and its offensive line alternately missing blocks and getting caught holding, he had to overcome obstacles emanating from both huddles. Flutie got a huge break late in the third quarter, when he was ruled down at the 1-yard line on Bryce Fisher’s sack, which clearly put both his knees and the ball in the end zone. Referee Tony Corrente’s mysterious decision (how does one possess “forward progress” when tackled while going backward?) kept the Chargers up by three and prevented a huge momentum shift.’

‘"I thought Rob played better than Flutie today," he maintained, adding, "besides the last play that Doug made." Of course, to Flutie fans, that’s like saying the Titanic had a marvelous voyage…except for the iceberg.’

At worst, Rob Johnson battled Doug Flutie to a draw in Sunday’s quarterback derby at Qualcomm Stadium. Unfortunately for Johnson and the rest of the Buffalo Bills, most of the rest of the key plays in San Diego’s 27-24 win were made by men wearing Chargers uniforms. “This is right up there with the Tennessee game — it hurts that much,” Johnson said. “This game was huge for us. We were playing a lot of our old teammates, with Mr. Butler there and his scouting department — it’s Bills West.”

‘Bills owner Ralph Wilson: If this really was his Super Bowl, at least he’s used to losing them.’

‘Sunday was Conway’s to carry the load. In every department, it was a splendid day for the USC graduate. His team won, while Buffalo’s Rob Johnson —- his quarterback for two years with the Trojans —- had a remarkable individual performance in defeat. "Rob’s a friend of mine," Conway said. "He did a great job. I’m happy for him."’

‘"But it was just special to see those guys. To see your friends, your homeboys —- people you used to be with for four years now, and then you get a chance to go against them. It was really great."’

‘Whatever perceptions lingered about Johnson —- a laid-back Southern California boy —- as too soft and injury-prone for the NFL should have been left on the Qualcomm Stadium turf Sunday, right next to the quarterback’s sweat and blood.’