Two Bills Drive

After throwing for three touchdowns and 268 yards in a nice relief appearance for an injured Rob Johnson against the New York Jets, Alex Van Pelt is hoping he didn’t unwittingly spark another QB controversy in western NY.

Johnson’s expected to start, which Van Pelt is all in favor of having lived through the controversial Johnson vs. Flutie debate the past three seasons.

"I’m happy I was able to come off the bench and try to help, but that’s my role," Van Pelt said. "I’m my mind, there’s no debate because Rob’s our No. 1 QB and we need him to be in that role.

Buffalo Bills (28): This reclamation project is going to take a lot of time.

The Buffalo Bills are a team that is afflicted with the "two I’s:"

Inexperience and injuries. The Bills have a way to go because of the "two I’s," and there’s a third "I" in there — ineffective. I’d like to see the Bills do better, I pull for them, but it doesn’t look good. They have a bye, then they are on the road for three of their next four.

These are league rankings with the toughest quarter of Bills schedule completed.

Offense: Total 15, Rush 9, Pass 16

Defense: Total 27, Rush 27, Pass 24

Physical aspects are overrated, and instinct is underrated. Instinct is the first requirement on Walsh’s list when he evaluates a quarterback.

The Bills, Seahawks and Steelers, have not gotten what they expected out of the quarterback position.

28. Bills (0-4) (was 29)

Good news: They scored 36. Bad news: Jets scored 42

‘"This is going to be a very difficult year," the 82-year-old owner said Tuesday from his home in Detroit. "But I’m optimistic about the future. We’ve got some good, young players that just need time to develop. If the fans stick with us, and I’m sure they will, they will be rewarded."’

‘So enjoy the regular season. There are 12 games remaining. Yes, there’s good news in that, too. There aren’t 13.’

‘"From the fans’ point of view, they just wanted the quarterback who could win games, but I know the majority of the team basically wanted Flutie in there. I know the offensive linemen were behind him because he could make something happen and didn’t give up many sacks."’

‘Historically, the Bills have had success after a bye week, as they are 9-3 following the break, losing just three times. However, they have lost their last two games following the week off, falling to the Giants in 1999 and Indianapolis after last week’s bye came in Week 4.’

Lou Saban, at 80 years of age, is back coaching in the college ranks.

‘Maybe I am being cynical about your diabolical plan to choose Johnson as a foil for your master plan. But, why else would you need a perfect cover like that as you completely dismantled a decent defensive unit, and installed a new offensive game plan on a team that was perhaps a good left tackle and a running back away from being competitive?’

‘"So now it’s, ‘What is Mo doing, hurting the quarterbacks?’ Mo is not a dirty player. He’s just hustling, running from one side of the field to the other. Mo is not a cheap-shot guy. He wouldn’t intentionally go out to maim or hurt or anybody. I know that. The problem he’s got is he’s got two quarterbacks already. And they look at that. I just got sent a tape from the league on quarterback hits. They’re trying to protect the quarterback and rightly so."’

‘"We knew it would be a struggle," he said after the loss to New York, "but it’s been a little more of a struggle than we anticipated. "But the worst thing we can do is panic." Yet if the Bills keep playing this way, that might be the next logical alternative.’

Kicker Steve Christie, released Wednesday by the Buffalo Bills after refusing an injury settlement, is not ready to retire from football.

The Bills (0-3) released Christie on Wednesday after a series of confusing moves Sept. 8, the eve of the regular season opener against New Orleans, placing the kicker on the reserve-injured list.