Two Bills Drive

‘No team in the division left a bigger impression on the Colts, by virtue of their 31-6 victory in the regular-season finale. "Buffalo dismembered us at the end of the season," said Polian. Though much has been made of the departures of Smith, Reed and Thurman Thomas, all were little more than situational players last season, and their replacements — defensive end Marcellus Wiley, receiver Peerless Price and running back Antowain Smith are already experienced, productive players. "The fellows that they lost, even though they’re very close to my heart and clearly among the greatest players in the history of the game, last year were really just role players for them," Polian said. "So they were prepared to have those players leave and have very adequate replacements on hand." If coach Wade Phillips can massage the quarterback situation to keep it from becoming controversial — he’s made it clear Rob Johnson is the man, with Doug Flutie in reserve — the offense has few holes and the defense is still one of the nastiest in the game.’

‘With this changing of the guard, there is excitement on One Bills Drive that this new herd can stampede its way back to the top of the AFC East and perhaps win a playoff game for the first time since 1995. However, there is also skepticism surrounding a young team that has to find its way with a potentially superb but largely untested quarterback leading the way.’

‘The Bills, sans The Big Three and 15 players overall from last season’s 11-5 playoff club, are relishing the opportunity to disprove the consensus opinion that they’ve lost too much firepower to remain a Super Bowl contender. They say people are overrating the loss of golden-oldie stars like Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith and Andre Reed and underrating their young, talented replacements like Shawn Bryson, Marcellus Wiley and Peerless Price. They say that yes, the team will feature seven new starters, but there are also 15 returnees, forming the nucleus of a defense that ranked No. 1 in the NFL and a No. 11 offense that should be much more explosive with Johnson taking over for Doug Flutie.’

‘Morris proved he’s more than just a reserve blocker in the Bills’ 16-12 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The fifth-round draft choice from Texas Tech is a viable backup option for the Bills at running back this season. Morris gained 101 yards on 27 carries and caught two passes for 41 yards. He did it mostly against backup performers. But he showed the shiftiness and quickness necessary to be a versatile contributor – one who can fill two roles for the Bills. “That was more carries than I had in any other day of reps in camp,” Morris said. “It felt good. I just wanted to run as hard as I could.” “Sammy’s a talented player who’s going to help us this year,” coach Wade Phillips said.’

‘Despite the long ball returning to Buffalo’s offense this preseason under quarterback Rob Johnson, don’t expect the Bills to stop using the run to set up the pass. "We won’t ever be a passing team first. The character of our team is to establish the run and pound it out and throw off that," Johnson said.’

‘After rookie Avion Black had two muffed punt tries last week against St. Louis, coach Wade Phillips used second-year pro Peerless Price against the Eagles. Price, a feared return man at Tennessee, promptly fumbled his first return that Philadelphia recovered to set up a field goal. Phillips wouldn’t say who he’ll use against the Titans, but expressed confidence in Price. "I think we can count on him if we need to," he said.’

‘If you wondered why Wade Phillips didn’t even dress a handful of his starting Buffalo Bills for last night’s preseason finale in Philadelphia, all you had to do was watch the final 27 seconds. That’s when Steve Christie, after kicking a 33-yard field goal, was accidentally hit in the knee by an Eagles’ defender unsuccessfully diving for a block.’

‘The outcome was a triumph for the Bills for a reason more important than the final score. They finished the game without any significant injuries.’

‘There are 4,500 tickets remaining for the Buffalo Bills’ season opener against Tennessee on Sept. 3 at Ralph Wilson Stadium, the team reported…The Bills are home in Week Two against Green Bay on Sept. 10. A couple thousand tickets are left for that one. They visit the New York Jets in Week Three and then have a bye. They return home on Oct. 1 against AFC East champion Indianapolis. A few thousand tickets remain for that game as well.’

‘Playoff forecast: Fair to good. Buffalo had a quality team last year and should be talented again. If the Bills find leadership and Johnson proves his worth, Buffalo should be in the thick of the playoff hunt.’

‘Aside from a sprained hand suffered by Antoine Winfield, call it a successful evening for Phillips, and as an added bonus, the Bills defeated the Eagles 16-12. With eight starters — five on offense, three on defense — not even in uniform, the Bills’ reserves had plenty of opportunities to make one last impression before the final cut is made this weekend.’

‘Buffalo running back Sammy Morris, a fifth-round draft pick out of Texas Tech, carried 27 times for 102 yards and caught two passes for 41 yards. He also scored the game’s only touchdown on a 6-yard run.’

‘Indeed, if you blinked — or got caught in traffic — you most certainly missed McNabb, who was gone after all of four plays — among them an interception and a sack, along with a 3-yard pass to Torrance Small. You watched one Duce Staley run — for one yard. For fans forced to shell out an average $50 a pop for their seats for this fiasco, that adds up to $12.50 per play from the starting backfield. What was that line P.T. Barnum said about suckers born?’

‘On a busy off-the-field night when there were talks of a trade and a starter from last year was re-signed, the biggest and most significant move was made on the field by Andy Reid. It happened when the cautiously correct Eagles’ coach wisely took quarterback Donovan McNabb out of the last game of summer with 9:11 left in the first quarter. The second-year quarterback, who can carry the heavy hopes of the franchise on only healthy legs, left the Eagles’ preseason finale after just four offensive plays. Some might argue that was four plays too many in an uneventful 16-12 loss to Buffalo at Veterans Stadium. Bills coach Wade Phillips didn’t play his starter Rob Johnson a snap.’

‘Billy Conaty (Camden Catholic) is the backup center. Conaty, who grew up in Pennsauken, is in his fourth year with the Bills out of Virginia Tech.’