Two Bills Drive

‘Rob Johnson was walking around the Buffalo Bills locker room yesterday without a limp, and there seems to be no question that he will be able to play Sunday when the Green Bay Packers invade Ralph Wilson Stadium. Whether Johnson will be able to play the following week, or any of the weeks thereafter, no one is quite sure.’

‘The Colts, one of the least successful teams in the 1990s, are the early pick to be the best team in the 2000s. But next to the Colts, is there a team more likely to be consistently good for years to come than the Bills?’

‘To be fair, Johnson proved a lot in Sunday’s Homerun Payback at Ralph Wilson Stadium, a bit of season-opening revenge for the AFC wild-card playoff loss in January. He proved he could bounce back from a hit, like former Bills great Jim Kelly. Time after time Johnson rose from the turf after being pummelled by Jevon Kearse and the Titans defence. Johnson also proved he could scramble like teammate/chief adversary Doug Flutie, effectively setting up one touchdown and two field goals with his feet, not his much-heralded arm. More than anything, Johnson showed his grit, earning the respect of teammates who had to wonder if there was only break and no bend in his fragile body. Ultimately though, the fifth-year pro who has completed only a handful of NFL games, once again was unable to finish what he started.’

‘But for Toronto’s purposes, the Buffalo situation couldn’t be more perfect. "We plan on being aggressive about this,” said Godfrey, adding nothing specific about their NFL plans. He can’t say anything about this, for now, and for the immediate future.’

‘A little frustrated and plenty banged up, Rob Johnson was back on his feet Monday, saying the feeling and movement has returned to his lower left leg. "I can control the movement. It’s a lot better. It’s just real weak right now and I’m sure in the next couple of days it’ll come back,” the Buffalo Bills quarterback said, adding he expects to practice on Wednesday.’

‘The Buffalo Bills pulled out all the stops Sunday night. They introduced their new mascot, Billy Buffalo. Four parachutists, courtesy of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, landed on the Ralph Wilson Stadium turf. Shoot, even Sharon Jones, the team’s personal good-luck charm, sang the National Anthem as fireworks lit up the night sky. And did I mention the white pom-poms, which were handed out to the 72,492 wired fans? It was a pregame befitting a Super Bowl. Alas, it resembled one. Offensively, anyway.’

‘Someone get Don King. Find a squared circle in Manilla. The Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills are ready for one more "Thrilla." Sunday, before 72,492 at Ralph Wilson Stadium and a national television audience, the Bills evened what suddenly looks like one of sport’s best rivalries 16-13.’

‘By now, the mode of operation for the Tennessee Titans should be quite familiar. Recent history has taught us that any team coached by Jeff Fisher will rely on a stingy defense, a conservative offense, and the notion that if you keep the game close and don’t make mistakes you can pull the victory out in the end. It didn’t work Sunday night in the 16-13 season-opening loss to the Bills.’

‘This time the Tennessee Titans did not adopt a "show-me" approach. Instead, they decided to show an inexperienced quarterback all manner of pressure to see if he could handle it. He did, but not for a full 60 minutes.’

‘And per usual for the Bills, who led the NFL in overall and passing defense last season, the defense can be credited with the victory. "We’ve got a great defense," Phillips said. "They are capable of doing great things." Indeed, the Bills did just that against the Titans, who could muster only 172 yards of total offense and nine first downs.’

‘The Tennessee Titans’ special teams nearly did it to the Buffalo Bills again. Buffalo avenged its loss in last January’s Wild Card playoff contest 16-13 Sunday but only after it held on against the surging Titans’ special teams.’

‘The popular tailgate T-shirt at Ralph Wilson Stadium read "Wide Right, No Goal, Forward Lateral – Screwed Again." Those eight simple words sum up Buffalo’s infamous history staring at the horse’s rear instead of being perched atop the saddle. The Wide Right refers to Norwood’s field goal from Super Bowl XXV and the "No Goal" references the 1999 Stanley Cup finals when Dallas beat Buffalo on a controversial goal call. The Forward Lateral kept brooding Bills fans waiting for this rematch since the depths of winter, and the game didn’t disappoint.’

‘But, as Phillips concluded, “All games are important … but certainly this one could be down the line if we have the kind of team we want later on. Any tiebreaker, and they’d have to come back here.” But, given their druthers, the Bills have seen enough of the Titans for this season.’

‘The Bills are tied with the New York Giants with the most "home grown" players on their roster with 40. The Bills have 31 draftees on their 53-man squad, plus nine undrafted free agents. Tennessee and Pittsburgh have the most draftees on their rosters, 33. And New Orleans and Miami have the fewest "home grown" players with 23.’

‘It was sweet revenge for the home fans, who saw the Titans end the Bills’ playoff hopes in the first round last year. The faithful came early to the parking lots around the stadium in Orchard Park and partied hearty.’