Two Bills Drive

‘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.’

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‘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."’

‘Washington Redskins wide receiver Michael Westbrook tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Sunday and will miss the remainder of the season, the team learned yesterday. The Redskins moved quickly to replace him, reportedly agreeing to terms with veteran receiver and former Buffalo Bill Andre Reed. That should open things up for Reed, who reportedly signed a one-year contract worth $500,000, though he will not be paid for the first two games. He had spent this preseason with the Denver Broncos but asked for his release the day before the start of the regular season because he did not feel he would play enough.’

‘The club was on the verge late yesterday of completing a contract agreement with veteran wide receiver Andre Reed, sources close to the situation said. The Redskins likely will sign the 36-year-old Reed, the former Buffalo Bills standout who is the second-leading receiver in NFL history, today to replace Westbrook on the roster, sources said…Reed apparently will sign with the Redskins for a pro-rated portion of the minimum veteran’s salary of $440,000. He had 941 receptions in 15 seasons in Buffalo, where he was a longtime teammate of Redskins defensive end Bruce Smith. Like Smith, Reed parted ways with the Bills unceremoniously during the offseason. Reed was entering the final season of a contract that would have paid him $1.75 million. The Bills wanted him to accept a reduced role and tutor young wide receiver Peerless Price. Reed balked, and his request to be released was granted by the Bills. He signed with the Denver Broncos for a $160,000 signing bonus and a $440,000 salary. But when Reed was told he would be on Denver’s inactive list for the opening game of the season, he informed the Broncos he would rather move on and again was granted his release.’

‘The Redskins were close to signing 36-year-old wideout Andre Reed, The Washington Post reported in Tuesday’s editions, citing sources close to the situation. Reed, who has the second-most catches in NFL history, was a standout with the Buffalo Bills before asking for his release during the offseason when asked to play a backup role. Reed then signed with the Broncos. But he also wanted out of Denver when he was not on the active roster at the beginning of the season.’

‘The Packers defense did give up 27 points, but that wasn’t bad considering it was asked to make up for the mistakes of the special teams and the offense. The average starting point of the Bills’ five scoring drives was just past the Green Bay 40-yard line. And even though the Bills didn’t take full advantage of their opportunities, the Packers offense didn’t force the issue.’

‘The Packers held the Bills scoreless until late in the first half. But their offense only gained nine yards on a drive that started at its three-yard line, and even a good punt by Josh Bidwell gave Buffalo good field position at its 46. The Bills drove the 54 yards in six plays, scoring with 44 seconds left in the half to take a 7-0 lead. The defense gave up three more points before the half was over, without giving up a yard. Quarterback Brett Favre was hit from behind by Marcellus Wiley and fumbled, and the ball was picked up by Bills defensive end Phil Hansen, who returned it to the Packers 27-yard line. The Bills took one shot at the end zone and had a deep pass fall incomplete before Steve Christie kicked a field goal as the half ended.’

‘Worst sight: Buffalo tackle Jamie Nails taunting the Packers’ Vonnie Holliday when the defensive end appeared to be hurt. On the following play, fans cheered when Packers defensive back Antuan Edwards was hurt.’

‘Q: Did I really see Tyrone Williams celebrating and playing to the Buffalo crowd after knocking away a pass to Eric Moulds in the fourth quarter, with the Packers hopelessly behind by 17 points? A: Unfortunately, yes.’

‘The Bills celebrated Alumni Weekend by honoring the 1965 AFL Champion-ship team before kickoff. Among those on hand were Hall-of-Famer Billy Shaw, Jack Kemp, Elbert Dubenion, ErnStratton and coach Lou Saban. Incidentally, next Sunday’s home game against ie Warlick, Booker Edgerson, Ron McDole, Al Bemiller, Wray Carlton, Mike Philadelphia has been designated Green Bay’s homecoming, featuring many former players. … Buffalo tight end Jay Riemersma extended his receiving streak to 15 games and recorded his second multi-touchdown game of his career. … Buffalo is off to a 2-0 start for the 12th time in team history, and first time since 1996. The last time Green Bay started a season 0-2 was 1992. The club finished 9-7, but missed the playoffs. … Green Bay has lost three straight road games, its longest streak since 1995.’

‘Bills fans spent the off-season moaning over the controversial lateral in the playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans and eulogizing the Buffalo careers of popular veterans Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed. The easiest way to forget the past is embrace the present, and Bills fans are doing just that. They’ve spent the past two weeks rejoicing the revenge of the Home Run Throwback with a win over the Titans and cheering on a bright crop of new young stars.’

‘Two areas where Buffalo needs to improve are the offensive line and the running game, which are also tied together. Johnson was sacked five times – though two were off blitzes that weren’t the line’s fault – and was hit on virtually every throw. And, on the ground, the Bills totaled a mere 89 yards (2.6 per carry) with feature back Antowain Smith held to an anemic 17 yards on a dozen attempts. "I was a little disappointed that we didn’t run the ball better," admitted Buffalo head coach Wade Phillips, "especially late in the game when we could have run out the clock." But while the line has to answer for the failings of the ground attack, the pressure on Johnson involves everyone. "I think it’s on all of us," said Riemersma. "You can point somewhat to the offensive line but by no means is it all their responsibility. "We have to take responsibility as an offensive unit – to get our hot reads, to get our blitz pickups – and make it one of our goals that Rob doesn’t get hit like that."’

‘Among there were quarterback Jack Kemp, wide receiver Elbert Dubenion, guard Billy Shaw, center Al Beimiller, defensive end Ron McDole, defensive backs Butch Byrd, Booker Edgerson and Hagood Clarke, tight end Ernie Warlick, running backs Wray Carlton and Ed Rutkowski and linebacker Mike Stratton.’