Two Bills Drive

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‘In every NFL camp there is a group of rookie free agents who arrive with no shot of making the squad. Some of them know this and show up happy to enjoy the ride as long as it lasts. Fred Jones isn’t one of those. "I’m trying to make a career out of this," said the Buffalo Bills’ outside linebacker. "I have high goals and high expectations." While Jones didn’t particularly stand out in Friday’s preseason victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, he has been impressing Bills coaches and teammates in training camp at St. John Fisher College.’

‘"That is what we wanted to address with our team, trying to get as much speed as could the last couple of years," coach Wade Phillips said. "It’s going to pay off for us. You could see that (in this game). Guys are not only going to make plays, but nobody is going to catch them. I thought it was really important for us to establish that we’ve got overall (great) team speed, because we’ve got a lot of it."’

‘The Bills drafted Black in the fourth round to be their kickoff returner. He averaged 34.2 yards a return last year at Tennessee State. He brought three kicks back for touchdowns, including two for 100 yards. He scored a fourth touchdown in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs. Black, who was clocked by Bills scouts at 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash, was unimpressed by Friday night’s electrifying score. "It’s something a person like me should get used to," Black said. "I feel that’s just the beginning." Black’s confidence and college credentials aside, Bills coach Wade Phillips has said his special teams players must be able to contribute at their other positions to make the roster. Black certainly did his part on Friday.’

‘The Bills have 14 scouts, including General Manager John Butler who is out in the field on a regular basis, and Director of Pro Personnel A.J. Smith, the guy responsible for Doug Flutie’s presence in Buffalo along with that of three of the more promising free-agent defensive backs in camp. Smith’s responsibility is the 30 other NFL teams, NFL Europe and the Canadian and Arena leagues. The Buffalo organization blankets the nation. It knows what’s going on at just about every campus. It ranges from scouts in their mid-30s, like Doug Majeski and Tom Gibbons, to three septuagenarians, David G. Smith, Bob Ryan and Chink Sengel. Ryan, 76, and Sengel, 78, have ruminated about retiring for years. Owner Ralph Wilson always talks them out of it. He understands that his scouts are the heart of the product. This bunch knows where the bodies are buried.’

‘The NFL’s annual strength-of-schedule statistic reveals that the Bills have the toughest schedule in the league. It’s based on the cumulative won-lost records of their opponents. Buffalo’s foes went 150-106 in 1999, an overall winning percentage of .586. The Bills will play nine games against teams that had winning records, all but one of those against 1999 playoff teams.’

‘"A lot of people are saying we’re a second-rate defense now because of the players we lost, but we believe we can be just as good as last year," Cowart said. "We’ll be a little younger, but with youth I think we’re faster than last year." The Bills allowed the fewest total yards per game last year and have been in the top 10 in fewest yards allowed for four straight years.

‘When Shawn Bryson re-injured his surgically repaired left knee in practice last week, coach Wade Phillips said he wasn’t worried. "I never fear the worse," he said. "I always think a player’s going to be all right." The power of positive thinking paid off in Friday’s night’s preseason opener against Cincinnati. Bryson, the best player in Buffalo’s training camp last summer until blowing out his anterior cruciate ligament, not only played, he dazzled.’

‘First-round draft pick Erik Flowers, who had a sack, forced fumble and a blocked pass, was asked what he learned Friday. "That the refs don’t call holding," he said. "I didn’t think it would be that bad. I mean, on one play my jersey was turned inside out and no call. But you can’t complain, you just line up and play the next play."’

‘St. John Fisher is the team’s new training camp and the proposed new soccer downtown stadium might accommodate as many as 25,000 fans, but don’t expect the Buffalo Bills to ever play another preseason game in Rochester.’

‘For 31 years, Kunttu literally has been above it all, filming and taping virtually every move the Bills make in practice and games. He has seen the good, the bad and the ugly; the 2-14 debacles and the trips to the Super Bowl. Though he claims to know little about football strategy and says he wants to keep it that way, his work has contributed mightily to the success the team has enjoyed. At the news conference announcing his retirement as Bills coach three years ago, Marv Levy praised Kunttu. Wade Phillips understands why. "Players and coaches get all the credit, but there are other people who have a say in your winning, and Henry’s certainly one of those guys," says Phillips, the eighth head coach Kunttu has worked for in his three decades with the team. "Film has always been vital when you’re developing your strategy, your game plan. But it’s equally important as a teaching tool. You can tell a player what he’s doing wrong, but it’s more powerful if he can watch himself on film."’

‘"I’ve been a season ticket holder for 38 years, and I think it’s great," Bob Buczynski of Cheektowaga said of the Bills’ decision Friday to allow fans to bring one-quart thermoses of nonalcoholic beverages into the stadium. "This is Ralph Wilson and the Bills showing appreciation to the fans."’

‘No one is claiming all the potholes seem repaired off one early-August exhibition game. There are no prophecies about a repeat as No. 1. But judging from some promising cameo appearances, the Bills still bear the look of a top 10 defense, which isn’t bad for starters.’

‘The 228-pound back looked nearly unstoppable in a 21-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in the preseason opener before 37,282 fans at Ralph Wilson Stadium. "The biggest thing is I’m healthy again," Smith said. "You couldn’t ask for a better start. Last year, I was slow out of the gates with a groin injury. That slowed me down. Then came the toe. "It feels good to get off to a positive start and see what we have looking forward to with this team out there."’

‘Bryson wasn’t even supposed to play Friday. He hurt his knee at practice earlier in the week and was expected to be held out of the game. "I was particularly happy for Shawn Bryson," Bills coach Wade Phillips said. "All year he’s been waiting. "He came to me the other day after he got banged up and said, "I want to play.’ I said, "I’m not going to play you unless you’re well.’ We worked him out before the game and he was well. "It took him a little while to get the feel, but you could see what he can do, especially in the open field."’