Two Bills Drive

‘He was taught, he told us, that when he has nothing good to say about something, he says nothing at all.’

‘They sounded much more resigned than encouraged, which isn’t a good sign. "Hopefully, we’ll get better," Steelers coach Bill Cowher said of a passing game that netted all of 100 yards in a 20-3 victory over the Bills on Sunday.’

‘The Bills lost offensive left tackle Kris Farris, a former Steelers player, to a gruesome broken leg in the first quarter. The injury occurred when running back Travis Henry fell into Farris, who had his back turned and his leg planted on the artificial turf while he was blocking Bell. Farris, whose leg crumpled from the impact, had season-ending surgery last night in which doctors inserted a rod to stablize the limb. He also missed his entire rookie season with the Steelers in 1999 with a foot injury.’

‘Cornerback Dewayne Washington did what the Pittsburgh Steelers offense had trouble doing — scoring a touchdown. It was enough to beat the struggling Buffalo Bills on Sunday.’

‘He was to have surgery Sunday night and could be out for the season.’

‘Jerome Bettis added 114 yards rushing for the Steelers (1-1), who suffocated Rob Johnson and the Buffalo offense en route to their first win of the season.’

‘Play by agonizing play.’

Cornerback Dewayne Washington did what the Pittsburgh Steelers offense had trouble doing — scoring a touchdown. It was enough to beat the struggling Buffalo Bills on Sunday.’

‘The Steelers are a notch below the caliber of the Bills’ first two opponents – New Orleans and Indianapolis – so there is a legitimate opportunity for the Bills to rebound from their 0-2 start before a flag-waving, sellout crowd at Ralph Wilson Stadium. But the Bills’ new offense, which is still trying to find its bearings, enters the game hobbling, and the Steelers’ defense is better than a lot of people realize.’

‘If ever there were two teams anxious to get back on the field, they are the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers. They get their wish today at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘The challenge he’s facing now is different than chasing future Heisman Trophy winners or lowering his forearm on some unsuspecting wideout who dared stray between the hash marks. Gray is in his first season as the defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, a position that places him under an intense spotlight that can be tough to bear. He knew there were going to be doubters when the Bills abandoned the 3-4 defense they had used successfully since 1979 in favor of the 4-3. He knew some people were going to ask questions about the change, especially after the Bills had the third-ranked defense last year following a season in which they were ranked No. 1. Molding the unit in his resilient image is even more daunting minus steadfast veterans like Marcellus Wiley, Ted Washington, John Holecek and Sam Rogers. Now Sam Cowart, the pulse of the group, is down for the year with a partially torn right Achilles tendon.’

‘I have to cackle at Buffalo Bills’ fans. One medium-sized pratfall and they think the football world has gone into permanent eclipse.’

‘The annual Buffalo Bills pet calendar is out, and as always, the photos make it. Where else can you get a picture of Bills owner Ralph Wilson side by side with pal Buffy?’

‘The Steelers have been off so long they wonder how long it will take to shake off the rust. "We have tried to get close to game simulation (at practice), but you can never simulate true game speed," Cowher said.’

‘Cynics may sneer at the Buffalo Bills as big-game chokers. Critics may point to the Bills’ four straight Super Bowls failures in 1990-93 and snicker. But in reality, the Bills had nothing to be ashamed of. They were awesome. Obviously, not as awesome as the Steelers’ dynasty of the 1970s. The Steelers’ went 4-for-4 in their Super Bowl appearances in the ’70s. But in a lot of respects, the glory years in Buffalo bore similarities to the glory years in Pittsburgh. Great owners. Great coaches. Great players. Great fans. Great cold-weather, small-market franchises located just 186 miles from each other. Today, though, the Bills are a team light years away from their heyday, 0-2 and going nowhere.’