Two Bills Drive

Director of football operations Tom Modrak, ousted by the Eagles this offseason and picked up by the Bills, may not be with Buffalo for more than a year. A league source has told ESPN Insider that Modrak may be in line to replace Randy Mueller as the Saints general manager next year.

How will the long layoff affect the Steelers?

I don’t think anyone knows the answer to that question. One of the scary things could be the Steelers’ sharpness of play and all the things that needed to be fine-tuned after Week 1. The coaches won’t know if they got fine-tuned until they line up against the Bills on Sunday. Being game-time sharp is much different than being practice sharp. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Steelers were rusty.

‘"If this game would have occurred a month or so after I left Pittsburgh, it would be different," he maintained. "But it’s been a long time and it’s not a news item any more … I’m a Buffalo Bill. We have our football team and we have our issues that we’re trying to address and that’s where my concentration is." And if you believe that …’

‘Kreider fractured a finger in his right hand during practice. He’s listed as questionable for Sunday’s game in Buffalo, but obviously won’t be 100 percent.’

‘Cowart’s injury has been talked about as the most detrimental to the Bills, because of his importance in the defense. Yet, Ostroski and some other key members of the Bills’ offensive line, including starting right tackle Jonas Jennings (doubtful, leg) and starting left tackle John Fina (questionable, leg), are down and that could spell even bigger problems for the Bills – and more happiness for the Steelers defense.’

‘The Steelers are like sharks this week. They smell the blood in the water.’

‘When the Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) meet the Buffalo Bills (0-2), the game is more likely to come down to which quarterback can avoid losing the game rather than which quarterback can take the game by the throat and win it.’

‘The team on Wednesday announced security measures that will be in place Sunday, but also said there will be a tribute to the terrorists’ victims. Some types of vehicles will be barred from stadium parking lots, and several items that fans are used to carrying into the games will be banned at the stadium’s outer gates. Aircraft will not be permitted overhead. But a pregame ceremony will pay tribute to the terrorists’ victims, miniature U.S. flags will be distributed, and many local firefighters and police will be on hand.’

‘A sign on the entrance to the Bills’ locker room Monday: ATTITUDE. Blame No One Expect Nothing/ Do Something.’

‘"I just need to get into the end zone one time," said Burress, entering the second game of his second pro season Sunday in Buffalo. "That’s all it’s going to take for me to get that feeling back. I’m not going to throw the ball in the stands or act the fool or anything."’

‘The Bills have allowed nine sacks in two games, which prompted a question to Brown about what the problem might be. "We got too many of that," Brown said. "That is the problem."’

‘Burress has what looks like another chance to excel Sunday when the Steelers play the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Burress, 6-foot-5, will be matched largely against cornerbacks Ken Irvin, Antoine Winfield and Nate Clements, all of whom are 6-8 inches shorter. But Burress said that is no guarantee that he will succeed.’

‘Buffalo Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe still has several friends in Pittsburgh, especially in the Steelers’ locker room. One reason: When he resigned as the Steelers’ director of football operations in January 2000, he wrote a personal note to every member of the team.’

‘I’m really looking forward to the Buffalo game. It’s been a pretty good series over the years, probably for a lot of the same reasons we’ve had a rivalry with Cleveland. We’re both blue collar towns and the teams that represent those cities take on that city’s personality. I anticipate a pretty physical game.’

‘”This is the hand we’ve been dealt with, for whatever reason — injuries, coaches, off-season (changes). Whatever, this is where we’re at.”‘