Two Bills Drive

‘The Bengals have one of the better young defenses in the NFL and should be a big challenge for the Bills in the game in Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘"They told me that if you’re a linebacker, just go up there and work hard, do your job and the fans will love you," Robinson said after a recent Bills practice in Pittsford. "It’s a blue-collar town. You pay full price for a ticket, you want a full day’s work out of a player."’

‘Parking lots open on game days four hours before kickoff. No paneled or windowless vans or trucks will be permitted in any Bills lots.’

This is Drew Bledsoe ‘s team. That’s obvious from the moment his 6-foot-5-inch, 240-pound frame comes swaggering into the huddle and takes instant command of the Buffalo Bills offense. This — like everywhere else in Western New York — is Bledsoe’s town.

‘A year ago, Gregg Williams entered his first training camp as an NFL head coach determined to put a tough, demanding, take-charge signature on the Buffalo Bills. He might have done a little bit too well in achieving his goal.’

‘"I kind of saw it coming from a couple of comments that coach Williams had made," Foreman said. "For a person who led the team in tackles and only played 60 percent of the time; for me being replaced or even talked about being replaced, I thought it was kind of weird. I wouldn’t have minded competing, but when the writing is on the wall, the writing is on the wall. I kind of knew something was going to happen. Luckily, it happened in Houston. I feel like I’m in a better place and a better organization."’

‘So while Bledsoe and just about every other starter on both sides of the ball will be relaxing on the sideline by the start of the second quarter, the big boys up front will still be banging heads with the Cincinnati Bengals, probably right up until halftime.’

‘He hears the scuttlebutt that Donahoe, who has already replaced 75 percent of Butler’s team in just two seasons, won’t be happy until it’s more like 85 or 90. Will being one of Butler’s boys hurt his chances of making the team this year?’

‘"I’ve always had very high regard for Drew Bledsoe when we had to play against him," said Levy, who visited Bills camp Wednesday afternoon. "I believe he’s 30 years old which is really a prime time in a quarterback’s career. He’s experienced, he has great work ethic, he has confidence, and I think the Bills made a magnificent off-season move being able to sign Drew."’

‘"I’m very optimistic. I think an 8-8 or maybe even 9-7 season is possible if the offensive line comes around. We’ve got to put some points on the board so the defense isn’t out there so much."’

‘Last weekend, Jim Kelly was sporting a gold jacket in pro football’s holy land. This weekend, he’ll be waving a green flag at one of American auto racing’s most storied tracks.’

‘”We’re very confident. Everybody has the same mindset: “We’re not giving a back 100 yards.” Whether Cincinnati’s Corey Dillon, who finished seventh in the NFL in rushing last season, plays or not, Bills defenders believe there’s no better time than now to begin establishing a new reputation.’

‘The biggest worry, with the lack of depth, is injury. The Bills must stay relatively healthy to have a realistic shot at 9 or 10 wins, which may be optimistic based on last year’s 3-13 record.’

‘Despite his success in St. Louis, Jenkins saw his career take an unexpected turn when the Rams released him following their Super Bowl season. He spent a season in Denver, but was released by the Broncos after just six games last year, and finished the season with the Green Bay Packers.’

Quarterback Drew Bledsoe will play the first quarter, Alex Van Pelt will play the second quarter and Travis Brown will play the third quarter and most of the fourth before giving way to David Priestley for the final two drives or so, depending on the length of plays the offense accumulates throughout the game.