Two Bills Drive

‘The Eagles have lost 11 straight road preseason games since Aug. 24, 1995, when they beat the Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. They’re 1-14 in their last 15 road preseason games.’

‘Andy Reid figured it was going to be a long night when one of his veteran players fielded the opening kickoff and promptly stepped out of bounds at the Eagles’ 14-yard line. It set the tone for a typical first preseason game against, well, a team that made the typical exhibition opener mistakes the previous week.’

‘Deposed Eagles football operations chief Tom Modrak still hasn’t heard from his successor, Andy Reid. Even last night, Modrak, now the director of football operations for the Buffalo Bills, was unable to get an audience with Reid before their preseason game at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘The offense, with Donovan McNabb and Duce Staley playing the entire first quarter, was shut out by the Bills in the delayed preseason opener. The first unit played four series and never crossed midfield in an uneventful 6-3 loss at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘Bills starting center Billy Conaty, a graduate of Camden Catholic High School, got to run out on the field through a gauntlet of teammates since the offense was introduced to start the game. However, the game ended for Conaty with him leaving the field through the same tunnel midway through the second quarter with a right shoulder injury.’

‘The Bills’ subsequent offensive success came as the result of a difference in coaching philosophies. Reid, who was committed to looking at his younger players, pulled his starters at the end of the first quarter. Buffalo rookie coach Gregg Williams, who was previously Tennessee’s defensive coordinator, extended his starters longer, perhaps because the Bills were playing their second preseason game.’

‘Although Modrak has been with the Bills since June 5, he still lives in Cherry Hill with his wife, Sandy, and spends a lot of time during the summer in Ocean City. And he has no plans to move. He is scheduled to attend most of Buffalo’s home games, but will otherwise spend most of the week on the road scouting the top college players.’

‘Gregg Williams’ first preseason victory as Buffalo Bills rookie head coach was a costly one.’

‘After Buffalo’s 6-3 win, coach Gregg Williams said Ostroski will be reevaluated on Sunday to determine how long he’ll be sidelined.’

‘Alex Van Pelt was impressive in place of injured quarterback Rob Johnson as the Buffalo Bills recorded a 6-3 exhibition victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in a battle of otherwise struggling offenses.’

ESN is reporting that OG Jerry Ostroski is out until November with a broken tibia (shin bone). Corey Hulsey replaced Ostroski after he left the game.

‘Guard Jerry Ostroski injured his right knee while making a block on Buffalo’s second offensive play of the game, center Bill Conaty injured his right shoulder, and Travis Henry suffered a groin injury in the first half.’

If you can’t watch the game on the television, then listen to it on the internet! Please visit the GoBills! chat room while the game is on!

‘For the remaining veterans who were a part of the historic stretch of four straight AFC championships — and those still around from the team’s last division title in 1995 — that’s a giant step in the right direction. Whether that step becomes a quantum leap at some point in the near future remains to be seen, but most players here agree that a change was due. And under the guidance of Donahoe and Williams, these definitely are not your father’s Buffalo Bills, it has become readily apparent.’

"He’s really done well, and is feeling a lot better. We’ve made a decision that he’s not going to play. That’s my decision, he can play, there’s no doubt about it, but rest is the best treatment right now. We’re going to give it the weekend off, and get back here Monday and re-evaluate it and then make the next serious evaluation of where we’re going with it."