Two Bills Drive

Van Pelt isn’t expected to play at all against the Ravens, with Bledsoe playing one quarter, Brown for two, and free agent rookie Jason Johnson finishing up.

Linebacker Takeo Spikes is spreading the gospel of coach Dick LeBeau’s zone blitzes. LeBeau is the creator of the scheme noted for disguising where pressure on the quarterback is coming from, utilizing such techniques as defensive ends dropping into coverage.

"When it’s working right, you’ll see defensive linemen getting interceptions," said Spikes, who played for LeBeau in Cincinnati. "Crazy things, stuff you don’t think will happen. The key is having athletic guys, not just straight-forward guys who fit the stereotype of a nose guard or an end. We have guys who can move (here)."

‘Josh [Reed] slipped awkwardly trying to catch one of many horribly thrown Travis Brown balls. It looked like his knee twisted. I bit my lip and winced. He got right up and literally sprinted back to the huddle. A loud ‘whew’ was heard. It was me…’

‘Joe, the youngest of the DeLamielleure boys, was the sports nut of the family. He was the one who could run through a baseball team’s batting order and then imitate each player’s batting stance. Once, when Vic Wertz stopped by the Victory Inn as a salesman, Joseph DeLamielleure called over his son. Only when Joe broke out in a smile and pointed to the former baseball great was the sale made.’

“Joe D. was just a tremendous all-around football player,” said hall of fame offensive lineman Dan Dierdorf. “Run blocking. Pass blocking. Joe D. did it all.”

Pete Prisco’s first power rankings of the year has the Bills at #4. (No kidding.)

The improved defense will make this a serious contender in the AFC East. As long as they don’t try to get too conservative on offense, this team can be a Super possibility.

‘8:00 pm NFL Pre-Season: Buffalo Bills @ Ravens’ (repeats Sunday the 10th)

Saturday, August 9th, 8:00 p.m., Ch. 629.

‘Mike Hamby, a rookie defensive end in 1985, DeLamielleure’s final season, sculpted the bust of Joe D. that will be displayed forever in the Canton, Ohio, shrine.’

“It’s too bad he wasn’t playing when the Packers were going to the Super Bowls,” said Jerry Rembleski of Cadott, who was visiting Lambeau Field Sunday with his wife, Carol. “He was one of the few shining points.”

‘"My mother taught me two things: teamwork and how to pray. Teamwork came from this: one bathroom, no lock and 10 kids."’

‘LeBeau has the title of assistant head coach under Gregg Williams. He describes his job as overseer and adviser for the defense, with emphasis on implementing his specialty – the zone blitz.’

‘"When a quarterback first comes into the league, he’s normally labeled cocky. As he gets a little older, he’s labeled confident. I can think of another ‘C’ word, and it’s controlled," Lofton said. "Jim Kelly could control a football game."’

‘Speaking about the prospects of playing behind beefy defensive tackles Adams and Williams, Spikes said, "I always say we got 700 pounds of pork up front. They’re going to hold guys down and allow us linebackers to make a lot of plays. Even in practice. I’m loving it, man."’