Two Bills Drive

‘The league stepped in on Thursday, altering its policy of requiring teams to sell out home games 72 hours prior to kickoff for the games to be televised live in the local market. The deadline was adjusted league-wide to 48 hours prior to kickoff, which would be noon today for the Colts, who play host to Buffalo on Sunday. Colts spokesman Craig Kelley said fewer than 1,000 tickets remained Thursday afternoon for the game.’

‘"We’re not discouraged at all. We’ve played one regular-season game in this system, and we’ll get better in this system, and we’ll get more comfortable as we go along."’

‘"He always wants to make a play down the field and I think that’s a positive trait, but one that has to fit in with the constraint components of your offensive system and that’s not to take negative yardage plays. He understands that." Or does he?’

When it comes to his personal game, Bills QB Rob Johnson was both blessed and cursed by the NFL’s decision to take last Sunday off to mourn the country’s terrorist victims.

The extra time off gave Johnson’s chronically sore throwing elbow and index finger time to heal and the extra practice work in the team’s new West Coast offense was beneficial. Still, the time off gave Johnson an extra week to stew over his poor performance.

It was Haslett, a former LB with the Bills, and Saints general manager Randy Mueller who proposed that each team play Thanksgiving Day to make up games, between regularly scheduled weekend games.

"It would be tough, but it’s doable," Haslett said. "If it means getting in the four wild-card teams the league is thinking of eliminating, then it would be worth it."

Haslett even has a Jan. 5-13 schedule worked out: Play Saturday, off Sunday, practice Monday, walk-through Tuesday, play Wednesday, off Thursday, practice Friday, walk-through Saturday and play Sunday.

One thing about the new regime in Buffalo: They don’t hold back any punches. Whether it’s new HC Williams or GM Donahoe, they make sure players know what they’re thinking — even if it’s sometimes through the media. Donahoe questioned the play of veteran John Fina this week. That comes on the heels of the release of veteran safety Henry Jones and linebacker John Holecek. With Donahoe and Williams, the Bills are going to be a good football team down the road. It’s just going to take a few years. As one personnel director said, "They have the worst team in the league." In a year or two, nobody will be saying that.

Speaking of Jones, he was a Pro Bowl player for much of his 10-year career with the Bills, but he still remains unsigned after the Bills determined he didn’t fit Williams’ defense, which stresses physical safeties who can play near the line of scrimmage. There’s another reason Jones was let go: He’s clearly not the same player he has been. "He’s terrible," said one scout who has studied him on tape. "He didn’t come close to tackling anybody on the tapes I watched."

Williams, has for the most part been protecting his starting QB from the slings and arrows that have been thrown his way. All the while he has downplayed lackluster performances in the preseason and a 3 interception performance in the season opener. But now heading into the Bills 2nd regular season game he isn’t coddling his QB anymore. As far as he is concerned it’s time for Johnson to take hold of the reins of this offense and ride.

The Bills will hold their fourth annual NFL 101 Football Clinic For Women on Oct. 2, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Registration (689-6981, ext. 101 or 112) is required.

The clinic teaches all aspects of football while providing interaction with current and former players.

The fee is $40 per person, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society and the Buffalo Bills Alumni Foundation

‘Buffalo’s defense prepares for an intimidating test this weekend without its most important player, linebacker Sam Cowart. Raising a white flag is not an option.’

‘Citing their heroism, Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson donated more than $130,000 worth of football tickets (3,300 tickets) to local police, fire and emergency medical technicians on Thursday.’

‘James has won the NFL rushing title in each of his two seasons in the NFL and is the second-best rushing-and-receiving threat in the league behind St. Louis’ Marshall Faulk. And he opened the 2001 season with a blast – gaining 135 yards in the Colts’ rout of the New York Jets.’

‘All game telecasts Sunday afternoon will open with a 60-second piece prepared by NFL Films recognizing the unprecedented events of the past week. The piece also will air in the stadiums. There also will be a moment of silence.’

‘And Buffalo.com, a Web portal operated by The Buffalo News, unplugged itself to avoid catching the virus and spreading it to users, officials said. The site was offline for most of Wednesday after being switched off Tuesday afternoon.’

‘"In our meeting (yesterday) we discussed, ‘If you were handed a hard hat, if you were handed a shovel, if you were handed a rope, would you take it?’ To a man, they said they would. We have been handed a football. That’s our job, that’s what we’re supposed to do."’

‘Bills coach Gregg Williams made it clear on Wednesday that it would behoove Johnson to pick up a few pointers from watching his counterpart Sunday afternoon. In fact, it won’t be the first time Manning will have served as a role model for Johnson. "We use as many examples as we can in our coaching and our teaching, and (Manning) is one of the examples that we’ve used with Rob," Williams said.’