Two Bills Drive

‘Both teams were comically sloppy and for every big, exciting play — and there were plenty — there was a woefully inept one to match. There were enough turnovers, penalties and blown assignments to fill a blooper video, but when it was over, the Bills at least had the satisfaction of walking off the field 31-27 victors over the defending Super Bowl champions.’

‘2 – BUFFALO BILLS. Coach Wade Phillips; 11-5 last season, lost 22-16 to Tennessee in AFC wild-card game. The Bills hit the salary cap wall this offseason and the makeover has left a younger but still dangerous team. Keys include keeping QB Rob Johnson healthy and filling a few defensive holes.’

‘In the first half alone, the teams combined for 45 points, and 582 yards of offense.’

‘"Great players don’t always mean leadership," Phillips said during a conference call Wednesday. "They are certainly great players. All three of the guys we’ve lost are Hall of Famers, but so was Jim Kelly a couple of years ago. "Our captains of our team have been Phil Hansen and Henry Jones. They have been captains of our defense for a long time. So, we didn’t lose either of them. Our quarterback is certainly a leader. Ruben Brown has been a captain of our team on offense. We didn’t actually lose the captains of our team; we lost some great players, all-time great players."’

‘Buffalo’s Rob Johnson also had a big half in an often sloppy game, going 8-for-12 for 237 yards and three touchdowns. Johnson hit a wide-open Jeremy McDaniel for a 51-yard gain to the Rams 5 on the third play of the game. He and McDaniel also hooked up for an 85-yard touchdown with 2:32 left in the first quarter. Johnson hit Jay Riemersma for a 5-yard score and Bobby Collins for a 26-yard score.’

‘The Buffalo Bills got big contributions from three players who gave them very little last season. Shawn Bryson’s three-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter powered the Bills to a 31-27 exhibition victory over the Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams.’

‘Bills coach Wade Phillips is continuing to evaluate rookies before the first roster cuts next week. But his main priority is giving most of the playing time to those he expects will contribute during the regular season. "I plan on playing a good group," he said. "It may not be the starters all the time, but guys who are good enough to play in a (regular-season) game. (Center) Billy Conaty can play. He showed that to us last year. He may play some for Jerry (Ostroski), and then Jerry may come back in. I’d like to have our best players out there for a good while."’

‘…given the nature of the Rams’ high-scoring offense, even with Warner on the sidelines most of the night, the Buffalo secondary will be in for a major test when the Rams and Bills meet at the Trans World Dome in the third preseason game for each team. "We’re looking forward to it, and I know after the game they played the other night they’re going to be a little bit fired up on their end," said Bills defensive backs coach Bill Bradley, referring to the 30-3 pasting the Rams suffered at the hands of the Tennessee Titans. "It’s going to be a challenge. They throw the ball deep a lot, and it’s a contrast to what we just faced (against Detroit). This is a real key game for some of the young guys."’

‘Look for the Rams to turn up the intensity level Saturday night against Buffalo. But will they pull a Tennessee, and summon Michael Buffer, skydivers and fireworks for preseason game No. 3? Absolutely not.’

‘Here are five key areas to watch Saturday night when the Rams play Buffalo at the Trans World Dome…’

‘Earlier in the week, Martz had indicated that Warner might not play because of soreness in his throwing shoulder. But after Thursday’s workout, Martz said, "He’ll probably get at least a quarter of work, maybe a little bit more. If he’s going to play at all, he needs to practice."’

‘In terms of dynasties, the Buffalo Bills may never get proper accolades for their string of success in the 1990s. The franchise compiled a mark of 103-57 and earned eight playoff berths in the process. It also earned four straight invitations to the Super Bowl, something still not matched in NFL annals. But that was then. This is now. The 2000 Bills will bear little resemblance to the recent editions of the team, as 15 veterans were either released and/or left via free agency. That includes the aging trio of running back Thurman Thomas, wide receiver Andre Reed and defensive end Bruce Smith, as well as starting defensive backs Thomas Smith and Kurt Schulz from the league’s stingiest defense in 1999.’

‘The NFL MVP, held out of practice two days this week, is scheduled to play the first half of Saturday night’s exhibition game against Buffalo. He could use some work after throwing only six passes in limited action in the first two games. "I was real concerned about the arm,” coach Mike Martz said Friday. "Provided things are fine, he may go a half."’

‘Buffalo (1-1), which finished 1999 atop the league in pass defense and tied with Tampa Bay for fewest touchdowns allowed (23), will have its hands full in containing the high-flying Rams. St. Louis (1-1) scored 525 points last season and averaged 272.1 yards per game through the air. Rams quarterback Kurt Warner sliced up plenty of defenses, going to weapons such as Isaac Bruce, Tory Holt and Marshall Faulk out of the backfield. "It’s great to go against a great passing offense," said Bills head coach Wade Phillips. "All their stats are unbelievable as far as last year … and, of course, that’s why they won the world championship."’

‘Pingel wasn’t sure he would be invited to an NFL camp, even after finishing his college career with an NCAA record 436 receptions, which shattered Jerry Rice’s mark of 301. He established seven all-division records, including career yards (6,108), receiving touchdowns (75) and receptions per game (13.6). He received the 1999 Melberger Award, which is given to the Division III player of the year. As astonishing as Pingel’s statistics were at Westminster [College], his 4.7-second time in the 40 wasn’t exactly the stuff that makes the NFL take notice. These days, he’s training with the likes of Buffalo receivers Peerless Price and Eric Moulds, and while doing so has determined that he can play professionally at some level. "As far as practice goes, I’d like to be getting more reps, but I have seen improvement in my game," he said. "Coming from Division III, I thought the cornerbacks would totally kill me, but I’m finding out how to play them. I’ve always felt I belong here. I never have felt out of my element."’