Two Bills Drive

‘"We were the worst and that was embarrassing because one of the foundations of this franchise during the ’90s was solid special teams play," said veteran kicker Steve Christie, one of the unit’s few dependable performers with four game-winning field goals. "When Marv Levy was here, he put an emphasis on special teams, but that went out the window last year, and the whole team wound up paying for it."’

‘But Williams also recognizes that tonight’s game is merely an exhibition, a player-evaluation process where the goal isn’t necessarily to win, but to start getting a sense about who will and won’t play for the Bills this season.’

‘But if he’s going to have an impact with the Bills, it won’t be by emulating Kordell Stewart, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ slash-and-dash quarterback, or Donovan McNabb, the new star quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles. Dinkins is targeted to be an all-purpose special teams player, returning and covering kicks.’

‘Quarterback Jim Kelly is eligible to appear on the ballot for the first time this year, and the response of the voters will provide a strong clue to the future hopes of his most prominent Buffalo teammates.’

‘"It didn’t take us long once we got here to know we had to make a decision," said Williams, whose Bills play the Rams tonight in a preseason game with Rob Johnson alone at the helm. "The team is relieved that there is one guy who is our guy, our starter, our leader. The (other players) have been very positive in accepting him in that role. Any quarterback has a tendency to have a more confident air about him when he knows he’s not looking over his shoulder."’

‘Look for all of the Rams’ defensive starters to play longer against Buffalo. Against Miami, coordinator Lovie Smith began pulling some starters after the first series or two. There will be a similar plan in effect on offense, except for the Rams’ headliners.’

‘Once again, Kurt Warner will barely be in long enough to work up a sweat. Mike Martz plans to play him one series, before Joe Germaine gets the rest of the first half. Marc Bulger could play the entire second half.’

"Anytime you get a chance to play in front of your home crowd and get an opportunity to play, you’re going to have a good showing," Eric Moulds said. "Even though it’s a pre-season game, you still want to go out there and make plays. A lot of guys are trying to make the team, and it’s important for those guys to have a good showing, because you always find the guy who steps up at this point in pre-season."

‘Marv Levy left Williamsburg 32 years ago for a pro football career that earned him fame and glory, if not a Super Bowl victory. Soon, he’ll return to leafy Kingsmill as the neighborhood Hall of Famer.’

‘"They’ve got the best offense in football," Bills rookie defensive coordinator Jerry Gray said. "We want to see if we can play with them. And that’s a big test for us."’

‘”I’m hoping I can get out there tomorrow, but I’m not going to rush it if I don’t feel like I can get out there and contribute,” he said. “I’m feeling a lot better than I was yesterday. … If I do (play), it’ll be a game-time decision.”‘

‘”I couldn’t have picked a better scenario than to stay in Buffalo and have the West Coast offense come here,” Van Pelt said Friday. “I think this is a great fit for me.”‘

‘Fans en route to the stadium will find construction at the Thruway near the Route 190 interchange; Transit Road in Elma and West Seneca; Union Road in Cheektowaga near William Street; Orchard Park Road in Orchard Park; Route 5 in Lackawanna and Route 179 in Hamburg.’

‘Coach Gregg Williams isn’t a fan of rookie hazing. "I believe that young guys in this league have to earn their place," Williams said. "I don’t think there needs to be unnecessary hazing because we have to have young guys step up and improve this team. We are not about hazing. We are about making you earn your dues. Those kind of things we haven’t been doing and won’t do."’

‘It makes the Oct. 28 meeting between the Chargers and Bills in San Diego one of the dream matchups of the coming NFL season. Bills owner Ralph Wilson guaranteed that. When Wilson became incensed that Butler was bolting for San Diego, he was quoted as saying he’d rather beat the Chargers than win the Super Bowl.’