Two Bills Drive

‘It’s likely, however, Smith will be in the game when Buffalo goes into its dime pass coverage with six defensive backs in the game. He also will appear on some special teams.’

‘The statistics may be deceiving, however. Three pretty good offenses have taken shots at coach Chuck Noll’s Steeler defense. Pittsburgh’s first three opponents have been Washington (first in the league in pass offense and second in total offense), Cincinnati (second in pass offense and fifth in total offense) and Dallas (fifth in pass offense and sixth in total offense).’

‘”Things started to pick up for Fred halfway through last year when he became more familiar with the system (defensive coordinator Walt Corey implemented before last season) and the adjustments we were making,” says Ted Cottrell, the Bills’ defensive line coach. “It’s really allowed him to turn himself loose now.”‘

‘Bills win, 21-16.’

‘”I was half asleep when I heard the news about the trade,” said J.T. Smith, the veteran Cardinals wide receiver (and no relation to Leonard). “We’re supposed to be building for the future, and then we trade a guy who is all-pro for a backup.”‘

‘”Because I’m a Bills fan, I’m hoping for good weather,” Kennedy answered. “But, of course, it is true that inclement weather helps the restaurants around here on game days. On the good days the fans stay in the parking lot enjoying tailgate parties for hours after the game. That means that some of the people who usually come here after the game don’t come over until later. So what used to be a four-hour post-game crowd is now a two-hour post-game crowd.”‘

‘”The trainers are saying he should be OK, but he wasn’t moving well today,” Bills Coach Marv Levy said.’

‘The ’82 strike seemed to ruin the Buffalo Bills, who were 2-0 going into it, then went 2-5 after the strike and missed the playoffs and struggled through the next four seasons, going 16-48. Last year’s strike, however, seemed to do no damage at all to team morale. The Bills held together and returned to the field without missing a beat.’

‘”The more I learn, I hope to make a run next week, if not the following week. I feel comfortable with myself learning. It’s just a matter of me learning this system and the coaches feeling comfortable with me. Being a reserve is “strictly not my goal,” Smith said, but he added: “They’re not gonna mess up something that is working, that is winning for them, just to get me in there, then I make mistakes. It’s gonna have to be a joint thing. They feel good about me and I feel good about what I’m doing and we’ll go from there.”‘

‘A judge Thursday began considering a request from Buffalo Bills receiver Andre Reed and his brother and sister to have assault and other charges lodged against an off-duty Buffalo police officer and others linked to a Sept. 5 fight in an Elmwood Avenue bar.’

‘Despite the limited playing time, Riddick always manages to get himself noticed on the field. In last Sunday’s 16-14 victory over New England, he ended the Bills’ drought for touchdown passes with his 3-yard scoring reception early in the fourth quarter.’

‘”I was surprised. Anybody would be surprised,” Drane said. “But, then again, I feel I can’t let anything disrupt my concentration on the game or the way I practice. You can’t let that rattle you. I can’t worry about what they do in the front office. I tend not to worry about things that happen or happened in the past. I just look forward to going to work and doing the best job I can every day.”‘

‘The Buffalo Bills acquired starting strong safety Leonard Smith from the Phoenix Cardinals Tuesday night in exchange for reserve cornerback Roland Mitchell and an undisclosed draft pick.’

‘It marked the first time since 1981 the Bills have sold out their first three games at Rich Stadium.’

‘Dawson then started the show by saying, “We’ve taken this show on the road many times, but never have we had the reception we’re having in Buffalo by the media and the fans. For those of you who keep bad-mouthing Buffalo, take a look around. This is a beautiful city, with the skyline behind us.”‘