Archives for October 14, 2000

‘"[Chargers Coach Mike Riley’s] an unbelievable coach and person," [Rob] Johnson said. "He taught me a lot about football and life." Johnson and Riley were together at USC in 1993 and ’94. Johnson was the starting quarterback, Riley the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. They were together before practice, at practice and sometimes after practice. "He was always in there with me," Riley said, referring to his office. "We had lunch most every day." The two would watch film and talk football, but they would talk about other subjects as well. "He’s one of my favorite people that I’ve ever met," Johnson said. "He’s so positive and has such a good attitude. I would go up to the office and talk about his family and what he likes to do. It wasn’t football all the time. "I remember him being very patient, very understanding, very receptive. He’s very intelligent.’

‘Buffalo’s [quarterback] Rob Johnson needs something, some hook to get the Bills’ faithful on his side. But it’s a tough road for Johnson, the Newport Beach [California] native and former USC star, with fan favorite Doug Flutie constantly peering over his shoulder. Wrong choice of words. At 5-foot-10, Flutie couldn’t do that to the 6-4 Johnson without a step ladder. Wrong choice of words, again. Forget the Bills and ladders – it’s the winless Chargers, one can guess, who walked under a ladder at some point for an unlucky 0-6 start. The Bills and Johnson aren’t concerned with the Chargers’ woes. They’ve lost three straight, after opening with two wins, and they’ll try to snap their skid Sunday when entertaining San Diego at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘Aside from Rob Johnson’s parents, it’s unlikely anybody at Ralph Wilson Stadium will be looking at the Buffalo Bills’ quarterback more admiringly on Sunday than San Diego Chargers coach Mike Riley. The reason isn’t just because Riley is saddled with a quarterbacking combination that has compiled the second-worst combined passer rating in the NFL this season. Riley was the offensive coordinator at Southern California in Johnson’s junior and senior seasons and loves the Bills’ QB. "I think the world of him," Riley said. "I really, really, really appreciated my time with Rob at USC. It was a great experience. I think he’s one of the most coachable people I’ve ever been around." The feeling is mutual.’

‘"We are all very frustrated with what’s gone on," said [San Diego Chargers Coach Mike] Riley, whose team will have a tough task snapping out of it tomorrow against the Buffalo Bills at a sold-out Ralph Wilson Stadium. "We’re just trying to climb out of the barrel. Our goals are fairly immediate. Records and playoffs and all that stuff are not necessarily (out of the question), but the first thing we have to do is get a win."’

‘So the Bills are dragging ‘ya down? You’re stayin’ awake nights haunted by third-and-five, Carl Mauck’s face and another kickoff? Take a break and think of the un-plugged Chargers. The Bills’ record is 2-3; the Chargers are 0-6.’

‘Having lost three consecutive games, the Buffalo Bills have gone to the dogs, some say. Actually, coming home to the dogs is more accurate. The team’s second annual "Bills and Their Pets" calendar, which went on sale this week with proceeds benefitting the SPCA of Erie County and the Bills Youth Foundation, reveals the team is loaded with dog lovers.’