Two Bills Drive

‘As the Bills’ defense continues to thrive at the top of the league, more people are beginning to pay attention. One of the players they are watching is Mo linebacker Sam Cowart. Cowart was recently featured on a conference call with the national media. Here is what he said…’

‘From the very beginning, we knew that Rob Johnson was an injury-prone quarterback. He just can’t keep taking those kinds of shots with the history he’s had. I’m not putting all this on the offensive line, but they do have to hold up a bit better for Rob. And maybe Rob is holding the ball too long. But he needs to be little smarter, too, throw the ball away more and be conscious of getting down or getting out of bounds, or just get rid of the ball quicker. I’m guessing that the offensive linemen will say to themselves, yeah, we can play better, but Rob’s got to do his part, too.’

‘A four-man linebacking unit that stuffs the run, chases down plays sideline to sideline and makes the lives of quarterbacks miserable awaits the Buffalo Bills’ offense. No, we’re not talking about the four linebackers Rob Johnson & Co. will see in practice today. We’re talking about the New York Jets’ linebacking unit, which is one of the best in the NFL and might be even better than the Bills’ outstanding linebacking corps.’

‘The Buffalo Bills have moved down 10 spots in the NFL’s age ranking since last year. Last year, the Bills were tied for the 10th-oldest team in the league. This year, their 53-man roster is tied for the 10th-youngest in the NFL.’

‘"I remember the last time Testaverde was their quarterback, they won the division," Bills coach Wade Phillips said yesterday, referring to 1998 when Testaverde drove the Jets to their first AFC East division crown and a berth in the AFC Championship Game. "They seem to do the same things they did the last time he played a full season for them."’

‘The Bills, Giants and Jets all are off to 2-0 starts this NFL season. When was the last time New York state’s three pro football teams all began a season 2-0? Never.’

‘"The first couple of games, we’ve shown the ability not to pick up the blitz," Johnson said. "I’m sure they’re going to come after us."’

‘"I’m just going to start calling him the best," Bills defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell said. "He’s a guy now who’s never coming off the field. How many ‘backers can do that? Not too many. "We’re starting to run out of superlatives to describe him."’

‘He was open over the middle and when his eyes locked with quarterback Rob Johnson’s, Jeremy McDaniel just knew. It was his first touchdown in the National Football League. It came with 48 seconds left in the first half and was the opening score in the Buffalo Bills’ 27-18 victory over the Green Bay Packers. "It felt great," the 24-year-old wide receiver said. "When I first made eye contact with Rob, I knew I was getting the touchdown. I was so excited I kept the ball. I think they’re going to give it to me on Wednesday."’

‘Following Sunday’s solid win over Green Bay, head coach Wade Phillips was disinclined to find fault with a victory that made his team 2-0 and put it atop the AFC East with the New York Jets. But that didn’t change the fact that for the second straight game the Bills had no running game and quarterback Rob Johnson took a tremendous beating.’

‘As if opposing quarterbacks aren’t already concerned with the Buffalo Bills defense, there must be one thought that wakes them in the middle of the night in a cold sweat: What if the Bills blitzed? They already have eight sacks on the year, costing opposing offenses 68 yards. At four sacks per game, the Bills are on pace to surpass last year’s measly total of 37 sacks (2.3 per game) by November.’

‘The Bills didn’t do anything fancy. They rushed four players on 85% of the Packers’ pass plays and never rushed six or seven. It was mano-a-mano with their stout front four in a physical skirmish with the Packers’ front on a warm afternoon. Favre was sacked four times but one was a coverage sack and Favre was half-responsible for another when he held the ball too long. Mike Wahle got beat outside by Marcellus Wiley for the sack and fumble that proved to be a critical play late in the first half, but other than that he was solid. So, too, was Ross Verba, who held up well on passing downs against cagey veteran Phil Hansen. Frank Winters was controlled by Ted Washington for a sack and on three runs that went nowhere, but the gargantuan nose tackle is almost impossible to move.’

"You Make the Call" is a presentation of both real and imagined NFL scenarios, where we invite you to "make the call" based upon the Official Rules for the NFL for 1999. Good luck, because you’ll need it.

‘Green Bay recorded five sacks of Johnson, and four came on blitzes where the line, backs and tight ends looked woefully overmatched. On a couple of sacks, the blitzer came through untouched and had a clear run at Johnson. Given his brittle nature, Johnson is lucky none of those shots put him out of the game. "They shouldn’t be able to get to us with linebackers and safeties," said Phillips. "We’ve got to do a better job of picking it up, getting rid of the ball, hots, all those things."’

‘For a team that finished fifth in the AFC with 2,040 net yards rushing last year, the Bills have averaged 109 yards a game this season, and have yet to establish a consistent threat. Starter Antowain Smith has had trouble finding holes. Backup Shawn Bryson’s longest gain of the year has been 10 yards. And third-down stalwart Jonathan Linton is just returning from a rib injury. The Bills leading rusher? That would be Johnson with 91 yards — many of them coming on scrambles. It doesn’t help that Pro Bowl fullback Sam Gash — released last April due to salary cap constraints — is no longer forcing open holes to lead the way. "It’s certainly not one position’s fault, it’s a whole team effort. All 11 guys out there have to be on the same page," Johnson said. "It’s usually just one or two guys here or there. "I think eventually we’ll come out of this little two-game stretch where we haven’t run the ball very well."’