Two Bills Drive

‘Johnson, the Bills’ quarterback, sympathizes with the fact that Riley, the Chargers head coach, is winless. But with Buffalo having lost three straight, Johnson’s concerns are selfish, despite the Chargers’ 0-6 start. Their friendship dates back to Johnson’s final three seasons at USC when he was the Trojans’ quarterback and Riley was offensive coordinator.’

‘Thus far in the 2000 season, the Chargers have proved they can’t win with Ryan Leaf taking the bulk of the snaps. Or Moses Moreno. Or Jim Harbaugh. The simple solution? Don’t give a majority of the playing time to anybody.’

‘In a move that was both firm and indecisive, coach Mike Riley said yesterday that both Jim Harbaugh and Moses Moreno will play Sunday at Buffalo. Harbaugh will start and work the first quarter. Moreno will play the second. After that, Riley is unsure. "I haven’t made any plans for the second half," he said. "I’m just going to leave it alone right now."’

‘If you want to know how long it has been since the Chargers won a game, don’t bother with the standings in the newspaper. Just look at hair on the running backs’ heads. Several of San Diego’s running backs have pledged not to cut their hair until the team gets a win. Suffice it to say it’s a good thing the Afro is back in style, what with the Chargers 0-6 and having no apparent gimmes on the schedule.’

‘Sunday’s 1 p.m. match of the Bills against San Diego is scheduled be heard at the buffalobills.com and yahoo.com Web sites.’

‘"We’re going to get better," Pendry said Wednesday as the team prepared for Sunday’s meeting with the San Diego Chargers. "Everybody has to grow, and we have to make plays. That’s the bottom line. "I would be extremely discouraged," Pendry said, "if we were making no first downs in the game, if we were three-and-out every game, or even worse, if we were throwing interceptions or fumbling. But we’re not making turnovers. "I feel like this offense is moving the ball, but the consistency factor must be better, and when we have a chance to make a touchdown play, we’re not making it," Pendry said.’

‘So when Phillips suggested he might use Flutie in an unconventional fashion this year, as a change of pace, it was hard to take him seriously. It’s too radical a concept in the ultra-conservative football coaching fraternity. But the time has come for him to consider it.’

‘The Buffalo Bills players were optimistic Wednesday that a players-only team meeting that was held this week would help improve the team’s mental attitude after three straight losses. "I don’t think all team meetings are always effective," said quarterback Rob Johnson. "But the team meetings here have been really good. You’ve got guys like Henry Jones and Phil Hansen talking. Doug (Flutie) talked. You get veterans like that who’ve played a lot and hopefully the young guys will listen."’

‘In a move similar to an exhibition game, San Diego Chargers quarterbacks Jim Harbaugh and Moses Moreno will each play a quarter in the first half Sunday at Buffalo. This isn’t the exhibition season, though. The games are real, the Chargers have lost all six of theirs and are desperate for a win heading into their bye week. Harbaugh, coming off a three-interception day, will start. Moreno, who hasn’t played since hurting his right shoulder on Sept. 17, will play the second quarter.’

‘"I just have to approach it the same way," said Smith, who requested the Bills trade him after he was demoted to third string after three unproductive games. "It didn’t happen for me. I would like to be somewhere where I have the opportunity to play, but I have to make the best of it."’

‘"He’s a competitor and a great leader," Linton said. "We have to protect him. We need him for the season." Backup quarterback Doug Flutie, who saw his first action of the year during the final three minutes of the Dolphins game, agreed. "(Johnson) has taken some shots, you don’t want to see the guy you work with get beat up like that," Flutie said. "He’s playing (this Sunday) like anybody would. If I could barely walk on the field, I’m playing. That’s just the way it is, you go until you can’t go anymore."’

‘While listed as probable, Johnson and coach Wade Phillips said there’s no question that Johnson will start against San Diego on Sunday. "I tested it," Johnson said. "It’s one of those things where it gets better as the week goes on. … It’s just one of those things." The question is how much more of a licking he can take.’

‘"This is not a losing program in Buffalo," first-year starter Keion Carpenter said. "They’re used to winning in Buffalo and when you come here, you have to uphold that tradition. The older guys called a meeting and kind of challenged us to step up. We have to do whatever it takes on Sunday. "Guys said what they had to say, spoke about what was on their minds. I think that gave us a spark. I can sense the difference the way guys are walking in the locker room and I sensed a little more concentration on the practice field. It was definitely meaningful."’

‘"It didn’t happen for me," he said. "I’d like to be somewhere where I have the opportunity to be out there playing, but I’m here now and I’ll make the best of it."’

‘News of Smith’s trade request arose Tuesday when agent Scott Casterline told The Buffalo News that he was trying to get Smith dealt before that day’s NFL trading deadline. The trouble is, as Smith pointed out after practice Wednesday, that he fired Casterline about six months ago and is now represented by Herb Rudolph. Smith, however, didn’t hang around long enough to explain why Casterline might have been speaking for him.’