Two Bills Drive

‘This is the season that will mark Johnson’s progress to be like Steve Young’s and not Browning Nagle’s. And Johnson has run out of excuses. Not that this is coming at an opportune time. While Johnson emerged victorious after a three year soap opera of Jerry Springer proportions, the jury is still out whether the winner of the Bills quarterback position in 2001 was really the winner.’

‘"We definitely got our work cut out for us," said middle linebacker Sam Cowart.’

‘Christie did not practice on Thursday after hurting his groin a day earlier. The Bills signed kicker Jake Arians to the practice squad as a precautionary move.’

‘How it ends: 8-8 … but changes were good ones.’

‘Outlook: Middle of the pack.’

‘New head coach Gregg Williams brings in 12 assistants and a bevy of players to Buffalo this season. Despite talent on both sides of the ball, there is simply too much youth and not enough depth. A 7-9 record would be quite an achievement.’

‘”So we have a plan now,” Fina said. “So whether it’s Travis Henry or Shawn Bryson or Sammy Morris, all three of them are capable and all three of them run extremely hard. As long as we block well we’ll have a chance.”‘

‘Johnson doesn’t inspire loathing, as Doug Flutie could on his worst days. What he inspires is sympathy. Buffalo fans desperately want him to succeed. They want to believe in him. But they, too, can’t help being fearful.’

‘Peerless Price is scheduled to get first crack at punt returns for the Buffalo Bills, and the third-year wide receiver couldn’t be happier about it. "I just want opportunities," Price said after Wednesday’s practice. "Last year I felt like I didn’t get enough on offense. This year if that’s going to be the case or not I want to be back there on punt returns. I want chances."’

‘If the Bills could be 4-4 at midseason they would have a legitimate shot at the playoffs. Don’t count on it. Look for a hideous start, a decent finish and a 7-9 record.’

‘"Defensive linemen all like it," defensive line coach John Levra said. "I’ve coached this style of defense before. All the players like it because they have a better chance of getting sacks. I think it’s going to work fine."’

‘That he has missed only two games during the last nine seasons underscores his resiliency. That he has caught passes in 120 consecutive regular-season games speaks to his reliability.’

‘"Every time people start ranking the best, what I always want to ask them is "What is your criteria?’ " said Merril Hoge, a former NFL player and current ESPN studio analyst. "If I were to say who is the best wide receiver, I would say Eric Moulds based on the criteria that you’ve got to be the complete wide receiver. You have to be able to run over the middle. You have to beat people deep. You have to run disciplined routes. You have to block down field. You have to be physical. You have to be strong. You have to be explosive. "Every one of those categories, Moulds falls under. When you look at him, there is not a weakness. He’s got great feet, he does a great job getting separation, he’s smart and he’s nifty in how he manipulates zone coverages. People talk about Randy Moss, Keyshawn Johnson and Marvin Harrison as being the best receivers. But if I had to choose one guy, it would be Eric Moulds. He’s the complete package."’

‘Buffalo is starting over on the offensive line, with five of its seven linemen new. Center Bill Conaty, right guard Corey Hulsey, an undrafted free agent, and right tackle Jonas Jennings, a rookie third-round pick and former Georgia standout, haven’t started an NFL game. Their first will come Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, who led the NFL in sacks last year with 66. "Sometimes change is good," said Johnson. "We might go through some growing pains, but they are battlers. They fight you to the last play. They are young, but they have a lot of talent."’

‘Not even the local hockey fans starving for a first Stanley Cup in 35 years can come close to replicating Western New York’s rabid mix of paranoia, inferiority, pride and passion. Bills football is all they have in Buffalo, excepting the Krispy Kreme franchise that opened last year with great fanfare. Of the past 24 home games, 21 have sold out. They’re afraid not to show up, in case the team vacates town before the next game.’