Archives for September 2, 2000

‘Verizon Wireless will plug in a mobile cellular site that it calls "cell on wheels" for the Buffalo Bills game, the company said. More than 70,000 fans can fill the stadium’s bowl during games, the equivalent of a small, garrulous city that can overload Verizon’s four transmitters in the area, marketing director John O’Malley said. "We did have instances where some sites experienced blocking of calls," he said. Cellular companies can divide their frequencies among an almost unlimited numbers of users, but the feat takes multiple transmitters to accomplish. The temporary site, hidden in 12-foot enclosure near a stadium gate, can connect 100 calls at once, effectively doubling Verizon’s capacity in and around the stadium, O’Malley said. It will be in place throughout the football season, using an antenna mounted on the stadium’s administration building. The temporary tower is part of Verizon’s deal with the Buffalo Bills as its official provider of wireless service, O’Malley said.’

‘"I like this offense," [Jay Riemersma] said. "We’ve got some talent, so it’s just a matter of the coaches putting guys in the right spots because we have that ability. There might be more opportunities for me to catch the ball. If I get the opportunity to do that this year, I’ll try to take advantage of it as much as possible."’

‘While QB Doug Flutie sits, Rob Johnson needs to show pocket poise he’s noted for… RB Antowain Smith needs breakout season . . . Bills return to playoffs as a wild card.’

‘"The game will be a kind of trial by fire for security," said Samuel McCune, the Orchard Park police chief. "It’s a night game and there’s a holiday the next day." Scott Berchtold, the Bills vice president for communications, said team officials are well aware of the potential for problems. But he said tighter security measures adopted last season and in place for this season should help. "We’ll do our best," Berchtold said. "And it’s not as if we haven’t gone through this before."’

‘When the Bills quarterback was asked this week if Tennessee’s sack machine, Jevon Kearse, is the kind of player a quarterback has to account for as soon as he gets to the line of scrimmage, Johnson said, "You can’t really worry about him. I’m worried about where the safeties are. I have confidence in them (the offensive line) that they’re going to get those guys blocked." Sure, Rob. And you didn’t look at the pictures after you finished reading that interview you gave to Penthouse magazine.’

[AFC East, 3.] Buffalo Bills: The league’s second smallest market might be home to the biggest sideshow this year. The Doug Flutie against Wade Phillips/Rob Johnson feud got heated in preseason and may come to a boil if the Bills start slowly. Johnson is the No. 1 guy but Flutie has supporters in Buffalo and was 10-5 as a starterlast year.’

‘Cowart’s recollection: "After we kicked the field goal, the kickoff team huddled up and the linebackers and DBs were back on the sidelines. We were going over deep coverage for a Hail Mary and the long ball. We were drawing up different scenarios on what they possibly were going to do. Out of the blue, we heard the crowd just erupt and thought there was a fumble or something. I looked up at the ‘Tron and saw Dyson jogging into the end zone. The first thing I did was look around and I thought there had to be a flag somewhere. And then once I saw the replay and saw the throwback I thought, ‘Oh no, this is stuff we work on every day.’"’

‘"I think [Rob Johnson’s] proven to everyone he’s the quarterback here," said linebacker Sam Cowart. "On the field he’s a lot more serious, he came in in tip-top shape. I think he’s just established himself." On the field, yes, Johnson is the guy. The Bills want Johnson’s arm in the lineup.’

‘Bills right tackle Robert Hicks, all 6-foot-7, 330 pounds of him, will spend the most time across from Kearse tomorrow night. Buffalo Coach Wade Phillips has said Hicks will get some help at times but on many plays Hicks "is just going to have to rise to that challenge." Hicks was bothered by an ankle injury when the two teams met in the AFC Wild Card game. "It’s a great matchup, I think," Hicks said. "But it’s not a tough matchup just for me, it’s a tough matchup for him, too. "Last time I played a nice game against him on a bad ankle. I’m ready for the challenge and he should be ready for the challenge, too."’

‘It was official the moment the Bills let their all-time leading receiver, Andre Reed, go elsewhere. But Peerless Price said he saw it coming before that. "I was getting an opportunity to play more as last season went on," Price said. "I felt like coming into camp this time the job could be mine. "Andre, I have to thank him. He helped me a lot, but even if he would have been here I felt like I was going to have the opportunity to be in there."’

‘"What happened last year will be a factor the entire week leading up to the game," Titans head coach Jeff Fisher said. "It’ll be the main focal point on the local level and a national level. But when the game starts, it¹s no longer an issue. This issue is what’s taking place between the snap and the whistle."’

‘"Everybody’s going to remember Bruce Smith, and it’s my point to let everyone know who Marcellus Wiley is,” Wiley said as the new-look Bills prepared to open their season Sunday night against Tennessee. "But it takes time. You don’t get 170-some sacks in one year. … It’s important for me to keep that respect and attitude.” Wiley said he and Smith, who landed as a free agent with Washington last offseason, still keep in touch, calling each other about once a week. "He just wishes me the best. It’s kind of a calming situation,” Wiley said. "He tells me, ‘Don’t get caught up in the hype and who you’re supposed to be. Just be yourself and everyone has confidence in that.”’