Two Bills Drive

‘The Bills closed the preseason with a dreadful 20-0 loss to the Steelers as their West Coast offense remains stranded somewhere out in California.’

‘The Stillers beat the hell out the Bills last night, 20-0, in a game that was not nearly as close as the score might indicate. Buffalo was never in this game; in the 1st half, the Stillers thrashed them on both sides of the ball.’

‘It was a better game than Johnson had. Given the reins this year after two seasons of slugging it out with Doug Flutie, Johnson has not played well in the preseason, and he continued that way in the final game, completing 2 of 4 passes for 23 yards and having one intercepted by cornerback Deshea Townsend.’

‘Against Buffalo last night, the Steelers started with two 12-play drives for field goals in the first quarter, putting them well on their way to a 20-0 victory at Heinz Field.’

‘"We didn’t move the ball as efficiently as I would like to. But it would be wrong of me to put it all on the quarterback."’

‘If you ask me, the replacement officials — it’s popular to call them "scabs" in this town, isn’t it? — didn’t look much different from the regular guys. In some ways, they were better. They didn’t need even one of those tedious, annoying huddles to get their story straight.’

‘Jerome Bettis was the only healthy starter Coach Bill Cowher did not play last night, figuring The Bus had nothing to prove.’

‘Sitting high above the field that he once thought would be his team’s new home, Donahoe was at once proud and disheartened. Edwards (first round), Brown (seventh round) and running back Zereoue (third round) were members of the last rookie class drafted by Donahoe in 1999 before he was forced to resign.’

‘Game 2 at the Mustard Bowl was, appropriately enough, a night for second-stringers. Second-string quarterbacks and second-string referees.’

‘Kordell Stewart looked for Burress on the Steelers’ first snap. And again on their second. And again on their fourth. And yet again on third-and-2 from the Buffalo 3-yard line.’

‘The Buffalo Bills are extremely pleased with backup quarterback Alex Van Pelt, who has lost 13 pounds – down to 217 from 230 – and has proven to be adept at running the West Coast offense. Entering last night’s game, Van Pelt had completed 29 of 47 passes for 275 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Van Pelt, 31, was an eighth-round draft choice of the Steelers in 1993.’

‘There’s no quarterback controversy in Buffalo — and, right now, not much offense, either.’

‘Rob Johnson played only one series for Buffalo (2-2) and was 2-of-4 for 23 yards. Steve Christie missed field goals of 22 and 40 yards for the Bills. Alex Van Pelt replaced Johnson and was 4-of-7 for 25 yards.’

‘Predictions: Indianapolis (11-5); Miami (10-6); N.Y. Jets (10-6); Buffalo (9-7); New England (6-10).’

17. RJ: Ah, now we’re getting into more controversy. Obviously, he has to stay healthy and take fewer sacks. In terms of pure physical ability, Johnson has it all — size, arm strength, accuracy, athleticism. Now, he must show up for 16 games and show what he’s got.