Two Bills Drive

‘"It was not a decision we made for one year," Donahoe said, referring to his choice to keep Johnson over Flutie. "We knew we were going to try to build a team here, and Rob was the quarterback to help us do that. I think when you look at Rob’s performance and look at some of the circumstances surrounding it, he’s played well."’

steve(malden,ma): Keith, based on his flashes of star potential, do you think Rob Johnson is still the Bill’s QB of the future? And if not, who do you think would pick him up if the Bills decide not to re-sign him?

Keith Schleiden: I was talking witha very well-respected NFL writer the other day, someone who has been around for 40-plus years (and he’s not senile). He told me the best QB he’s seen in person this year is Rob Johnson. While that is a stretch in my personal opinion, Johnson is opening some eyes. He is getting more comfortable in the Bills’ offensive system, and it is beginning to show up on the stats sheet. I believe if Johnson continues to show signs of development over the second half of the season, the Bills will keep him and his large cap figure around.

After three straight overtime games over the last two seasons, the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills will meet on Sunday for the first time this season. Five of the last six games between the AFC East rivals have been decided by four points or less.

Bills rookie safety Tony Driver will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ligament in his left knee.

Driver was placed on IR and will have reconstructive surgery by next week. He was hurt while covering a kickoff return in the first half of Buffalo’s loss to Indianapolis on Sunday. HC Williams said no decision has been made on filling the roster spot.

Chad Bratzke reappeared on the radar screen for the Colts, as did their defense, but it may be premature to get excited. The Bills were again down to their fourth and fifth tackles because of injuries, and the Colts took appropriate advantage of it. Bills QB Rob Johnson didn’t have much of a chance, although there were times when he again held onto the ball too long. The Colts’ offense wasn’t spectacular, but they got more encouraging signs when Dominic Rhodes had a 100-yard rushing day in place of injured Edgerrin James. That was the bright spot for the Colts; a bleak note for the Bills

‘For Smith, it’s about revenge. It’s a chance to show the folks who thought he was washed up and picked clean that he still has something left. The 29-year-old said yesterday it’s not about that, but he did so with an unmistakable gleam in his eye.’

Special-teams standout S Tony Driver injured his knee Sunday and was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

With Jake Arians struggling, the Bills worked out former Saints PK Doug Brien on Tuesday.

FS Keion Carpenter cracked a rib early in the game against the Colts and did not return. His spot was taken by Travares Tillman.

‘Henry aims to bolster the Buffalo Bills’ running game. He has shown flashes of brilliance during his rookie season. In fact, there are only three first-year running backs with more yards. But 388 yards in seven games is not Henry’s idea of success. He wants a lot more. The question is, will the Bills oblige him?’

‘"One of the things that really impressed the selection committee about Russ was what he’s been able to accomplish in a small market with a struggling economy," said Tom Stinson, the Journal’s assistant managing editor. "We also look for young people who are influencing the business they are in, and Russ clearly is doing that. (NFL commissioner) Paul Tagliabue said that the Bills training camp is a model for the rest of the league, and has called upon Russ to stage sponsorship seminars at the league meetings. We see Russ as one of the creative young minds who is shaping the future of the sports industry."’

‘The Patriots, 4-4 at the midpoint of the 2001 campaign, are 4-0 in games in which Antowain Smith has run the ball 15 or more times and 0-4 when he has not.’

‘Despite seeing his playing time slashed last season and then being cut in May, Smith said he holds no grudges against Buffalo, partly because the Bills have a new coaching staff. Still, he’s been struck by the 180-degree difference in attitude the Pats have demonstrated, believing in him as the primary running back after the Bills obviously thought he was unable to fill that role anymore.’

‘Brandon, responsible for Bills business development and marketing, was among 40 executives 40-years-old and younger noted by Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal in a list released Tuesday.’

Tennessee also suffered the most painful coaching losses of any NFL team. Tastefully named DC Gregg Williams and his assistant Jerry Gray left to become HC and DC at Buffalo. They’re struggling with the Bills’ cap-imploded roster, but nevertheless are top-shelf types whom the Titans dearly miss. You don’t drop from first to 27th based on a couple player changes alone.

Professor John Kessel (aka Dr. K) of NC State University protested TMQ’s making fun of the "Becoming Human" conference of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science. Kessel was a speaker at the conference and, presumably, is human. Kessel offered as evidence of his humanity the fact that he is a "lifetime Buffalo Bills fan," which means he knows human suffering. TMQ is a Bills fan, too, and died a thousand deaths during the Super Bowl loss streak.

‘Coach Gregg Williams said starting tackles John Fina and Jonas Jennings will return to practice when the Bills begin preparations for Sunday’s game at New England. Fina was given the week off to rest his sore knee, while Jennings has been sidelined for two weeks with a sprained foot. The Bills’ medical staff also has cleared guard Jerry Ostroski to practice more extensively this week.’

‘"Ooooh, no," Rex said. "This is what it’s all about now, man. Today, the Bills moved one step closer to picking second in the next draft. Do you know what that could mean? Look at this guy." He shoved a Kiper article in my face about Bryant McKinnie, the 6-8, 335-pound left tackle at Miami (Fla.). It said McKinnie was the second-best prospect in the country, after Julius Peppers, the defensive end at North Carolina. And his stock is still rising.’