Two Bills Drive

‘Starter Rob Johnson will likely open the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Alex Van Pelt likely will follow Johnson, and Mike Cawley and Phil Stambaugh also should receive some reps. Phillips said he would decide on the rotation and playing time during meetings Wednesday night. The Bills were scheduled for a light workout starting at 9:30 a.m. today before traveling to Orchard Park for the game.’

‘The Dolphins brought in Thurman Thomas for a multitude of reasons. Even at 34, the Dolphins believe there is enough left for him to be a change-of-pace third-down back and even the occasional starter if there are injuries. But it’s no coincidence Thomas is Johnson’s roommate. "We thought Thurman would be a positive influence on James," coach Dave Wannstedt said. "All he’s got to do is watch how Thurman prepares himself for the season. I don’t think Thurman Thomas has to say anything to him. Thurman does it the right way. If you watch practice, watch him in meetings, listen to the questions he asks, it’s clear why he’s a Hall of Fame candidate."’

‘An examination of a typical day in camp for a player reveals the clock is his best friend and his worst enemy. From sunup until sundown, players have less than four hours of free time a day. The rest of the time is spent eating meals, lifting weights, rehabilitating injuries, practicing, conducting interviews with the media, signing autographs, attending meetings and studying playbooks. In Irvin’s room, three playbooks are stacked on a table, one each for defense, special teams and league and team rules. Some fun. What happened to the dancing girls? "It’s like a boot camp, certainly," says coach Wade Phillips, who has been to camp with five different teams during his 24 NFL seasons. "Most training camps I think are similar in that you have to monopolize somebody’s time to learn all the things they need to, that quickly. You have a captive audience, so to speak."’

‘With Bruce Smith and Sean Moran gone, and Marcellus Wiley recovering from back surgery, Price will play even more downs within the rotation system on the defensive line. "I’ve been waiting for this for a long time," Price said of his enhanced role.’

‘Second-year pro Keion Carpenter, who is making a strong bid to win the open free safety job, split open the middle finger on his right hand at the first joint during a punt blocking drill. The finger, which needed five stitches, was heavily taped and padded yesterday but Carpenter won’t miss tomorrow’s first preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘Steve Tasker always was a special special teams player for the Buffalo Bills. Now we know how special. He is among the 27 players on the NFL’s All-Time Team. "Without a doubt, this is the greatest honor I’ve received as a football player," Tasker said yesterday from his home in Buffalo. "It’s even better than being MVP of a Pro Bowl (in 1992)."’

‘With the Buffalo Bills two days away from their opening preseason game, coach Wade Phillips isn’t sure how he’ll play his personnel. In fact, it won’t be until after the morning workout, the lone practice on Thursday, that Phillips will determine playing time for his team in Friday night’s exhibition against Cincinnati at Ralph Wilson Stadium. But it will be anything but meaningless to some players. “It’s important to a number of young guys,” said Phillips, without being specific. However, it’s easy to guess. Start with wide receiver. After former All-Pro Eric Moulds and last year’s second-round draft choice, Peerless Price, there’s not a single wideout on the Buffalo roster who has caught an NFL regular-season pass…Another battle to watch is at free safety where an inexperienced trio is competing for the spot vacated by Kurt Schulz, when he went to Detroit as a free agent. Daryl Porter, Keion Carpenter and this year’s second round draft choice, Tavares Tillman, have never started an NFL game…Then there’s running back. No matter what the Bills say, there’s some concern about Antowain Smith.’

‘"A lot of people are saying we’re a second-rate defense now because of some of the players we lost, but we believe we can be just as good as we were last year," said linebacker Sam Cowart. "We’ll be a little younger. But with youth comes a little more excitement, and I think we’re faster than we were last year as a whole unit." "There’s some writers out there who are doubting us and putting us 26th in the league, and it’s a crock," said defensive lineman Shawn Price. "They can say that all they want but we’re going to surprise people this year."’

‘The Buffalo Bills got a scare Tuesday over a knee injury to reserve running back Shawn Bryson, and also announced that rookie receiver Kwame Cavil will be out 10 to 14 days with a strained calf muscle. Bryson twisted his left knee as he went down hard to the ground on a running play in Tuesday afternoon’s practice. A magnetic resonance imaging test Tuesday evening proved negative. Bryson is listed as day-to-day for practice this week. Bryson, a third-round draft choice last year, was met at the line of scrimmage by linebacker Keith Newman, who had filled a gap on the play. Bryson immediately slammed the ball to the turf after hitting the ground. He was able to walk off the practice field and into the locker room under his own power. The injury occurred to the same knee that underwent reconstructive surgery last year after an injury in training camp. "It’s fine," Bryson said as he made his way to the locker room. Cavil, meanwhile, injured his left leg in Monday’s practice. "It’s going to be close as to whether he’s ready to play for the next game," coach Wade Phillips said, referring to the second preseason game, at Detroit on Aug. 12.’

‘"Once they said they weren’t re-signing Gabe Northern, that gave me great confidence to work even harder to attain the starting job," said Newman, who was active for only four games last year with most of his playing time coming on special teams. "I spent more time up here in the off-season, worked out and ran and I feel like I prepared myself great." So far, there’s no evidence to the contrary. "He wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think he could play," linebackers coach Chuck Lester said.’

‘The Buffalo Bills invited coaches from the Rochester and Buffalo areas to attend practice, and while most don’t even dream about coaching in the NFL and will never coach a future NFL player, they said the experience was very helpful. "The basics are the same at all levels, be it the top league with Vince Lombardi or at the Pop Warner level," said Roger O’Neill, the offensive-line coach for the junior varsity at Wayland-Cohocton. So while the Bills went through drills in the afternoon, the five dozen or so coaches lined the sidelines, took notes and exchanged thoughts with their counterparts.’

‘Miller will be scrutinizing the Bills only once this season — Dec. 11 in Indianapolis. Ostroski said he’ll probably pop in a tape of the broadcast the next day just to hear what Miller said. "I’m sure he’s going to say something, that’s all part of it, it’s no different than what anyone else does," he said.’

‘How much do the Bills mean to I.C. Shah? Well, when it appeared the franchise might run a down and out of town if it didn’t meet its luxury suite sales goal two falls ago, Shah entered a sleep disorder clinic.’

‘Buffalo running back Shawn Bryson is listed as day-to-day after straining his left knee in practice on Tuesday. An MRI test of Bryson’s knee came up negative, a Bills spokesman said. Concerns had initially been raised because Bryson missed his entire rookie season when he tore a ligament in the same knee in training camp last year.’

‘He’s been told he should be cleared for full contact by Aug. 12, which is good news for the Bills, who expect Wiley to take over for the departed Bruce Smith on the right side. Wiley could be ready in time for the Bills’ preseason finale, Aug. 24 at Philadelphia. If not, then Wiley said he’s ready to play in the season-opener against Tennessee on Sept. 3. "It’s all based on my pain, that’s my guide right now, how my back reacts," Wiley said. "And right now I’m pretty much pain-free."’