Archives for September 2001

‘Wide receiver Eric Moulds and tackles John Fina and Jonas Jennings were held out of practice again Thursday, but Buffalo Bills coach Gregg Williams has not ruled the starters out for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Williams said Thursday the three players have improved, and he is hopeful they will practice today.’

‘When a play is whistled dead, rather than go back to a huddle Manning takes his team right to the line of scrimmage. What are the advantages of this? Because he can snap the ball at any moment, the opposing defense can’t risk trying to substitute or it could be whistled — like the Bills were — for a too many men on the field penalty. By leaving the same players on the field, the defense not only grows fatigued, it can be caught in bad matchup situations. While he’s at the line, Manning can scan the defense to see who’s on the field and where they’re lining up which gives him a greater chance of making a prudent play call.’

‘Coach Gregg Williams held out hope that Moulds would be able to work out today and be ready for Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh.’

‘"That’s just part of the game," he said. "I don’t know how he’s taking it, but I just come to play hard. If he misinterpreted it, I’m sorry for that. It was nothing intentional."’

‘But it isn’t rustiness that concerns the Steelers. It’s frustration. That can surface when a defense faces a team that can’t protect the quarterback, can’t get the ball to their best wide receiver and has an offensive line that is hurting both in performance and health.’

‘Bills right tackle Jonas Jennings did not practice yesterday and is not expected to play. That means former Steelers tackle Kris Farris, a No. 3 draft choice in 1999, could start against his former team.’

‘Expectations should be low for this game….it’s going to be sloppy and the victor will be the team that self-destructs less. Despite the slop, I’ll still be back in my glory watching Stiller football again! Look for Pittsburgh to get back in the AFC Central hunt with a 16-13 victory.’

Receiver Eric Moulds, nursing a sprained left shoulder, missed his second straight day of practice on Thursday and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game with Pittsburgh.

Coach Gregg Williams held out hope that Moulds would be able to work out on Friday and be ready for Sunday’s game. If not, the Bills (0-2) will use Peerless Price as their deep threat, and elevate sparingly used Avion Black as their third receiver.

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith laughed when told that Buffalo Bills quarterback Rob Johnson sent a pointed message his way.

The particular play in question was Smith’s 8-yard sack of Johnson.

In the process, Smith ripped Johnson’s helmet off by the face mask. He was penalized, but a visibly shaken Johnson threw an interception to Deshea Townsend on the next play.

Pittsburgh (minus 3) at Buffalo

Gregg Williams, inspired by the movie, has ordered an official Bubble Boy uniform to help keep quarterback Rob Johnson healthy.

BILLS, 24-20 (ATS: BILLS)

Director of football operations Tom Modrak, ousted by the Eagles this offseason and picked up by the Bills, may not be with Buffalo for more than a year. A league source has told ESPN Insider that Modrak may be in line to replace Randy Mueller as the Saints general manager next year.

How will the long layoff affect the Steelers?

I don’t think anyone knows the answer to that question. One of the scary things could be the Steelers’ sharpness of play and all the things that needed to be fine-tuned after Week 1. The coaches won’t know if they got fine-tuned until they line up against the Bills on Sunday. Being game-time sharp is much different than being practice sharp. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Steelers were rusty.

‘"If this game would have occurred a month or so after I left Pittsburgh, it would be different," he maintained. "But it’s been a long time and it’s not a news item any more … I’m a Buffalo Bill. We have our football team and we have our issues that we’re trying to address and that’s where my concentration is." And if you believe that …’

‘Kreider fractured a finger in his right hand during practice. He’s listed as questionable for Sunday’s game in Buffalo, but obviously won’t be 100 percent.’

‘Cowart’s injury has been talked about as the most detrimental to the Bills, because of his importance in the defense. Yet, Ostroski and some other key members of the Bills’ offensive line, including starting right tackle Jonas Jennings (doubtful, leg) and starting left tackle John Fina (questionable, leg), are down and that could spell even bigger problems for the Bills – and more happiness for the Steelers defense.’