Two Bills Drive

‘Johnson is trying to be patient, but he can hear the clock ticking. “I want to play,” he said. “I’m 26. This is going to be my fifth year, and I’ve started six games. It’s not my decision; it’s their decision,” he said. “I like it here, I like the team. If they want to keep me, great. “I know there’s somewhere in the league for me. If this is going to be Doug’s team for years, they’ll probably trade me and try to get something for me.”‘

‘Jennings was signed after Jerry Ross left camp last weekend. Coach Wade Phillips wanted five tight ends in camp, so Jennings joined Jay Riemersma, Eric Stocz and fellow rookies Bobby Collins and Sheldon Jackson. Jennings played collegiately for Mississippi State, but he ran into academic problems and didn’t play as a senior. For that reason, he went undrafted last April, but Cincinnati signed him to a free-agent contract. However, the Bengals released him before training camp, so he was available for the Bills, but regardless of what he thinks, he’s a definite long shot to make the roster.’

‘”I have enough confidence that we have three tackles (including left tackle John Fina) who are strong enough to play and you always have Jerry as the fourth,” Phillips said yesterday. “If Hicks was ready but Spriggs wasn’t, then we don’t have enough guys and we don’t make the move. But it was a combination of both those guys doing well enough. Last year, we weren’t in that position.”‘

‘Phillips has cultivated some depth at a variety of positions but, as always, how far the Bills go will depend largely on overall team health. It’s the same for virtually every team in the league — injuries tell the tale.’

‘Wiley and his girlfriend filed charges against one another in Orchard Park Town Court following a domestic dispute in May, but each dropped the charges in court Tuesday.’

‘The Bills’ concern over Smith’s condition has ranged from borderline panic to relaxed optimism. Wade Phillips used the word “chronic” in describing the injury earlier in the week, but Wednesday said he was expecting Smith back. He couldn’t say when.’

‘Asked if he could return to full-time duty after settling into a speciality back role, Thomas, 33, said he’d do it but warned he’d be shot by mid-season. “I’m not ready to go back to full time,” said the man who is ninth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 11,786 yards. “I like the role I’m in, not all beat up and unable to practice until Thursdays. “If I have to play full time, go 60 or 70 plays, I’m ready to try early in the season but once it gets late in the year, I’d have to cut back and rest. It’s just because of my age and I’ve been hit so much in 12 years. It’s just the way it is, like a Marcus Allen.”‘

‘This season, second-year tackle Robert Hicks and third-year man Marcus Spriggs have demonstrated they’re ready to contribute more than shade. Their readiness convinced the coaching staff it was time to reshuffle the deck and find the best starting five. That means the 325-pound Ostroski, one of the strongest players on the Bills, replaces the 298-pound Zeigler, who has struggled for two seasons at center against ever-enlarging nose tackles. It means Hicks, a mammoth 6-7, 340-pounder in the mold of Howard “House” Ballard goes in at right tackle, with the 315-pound Spriggs, presently nursing a hip flexor injury, there to push him. “I think it’s a good combination,” coach Wade Phillips said. “I wasn’t positive we had the best five out there (before). We’ll see if that’s the case now.”‘

“There are two nightmarish injuries for football players who are in running positions. Groin pulls and hamstring strains are the worst kind of physical woes for running backs, wideouts, defensive backs and linebackers. And, suddenly, the Bills’ interest in wayward running back Lawrence Phillips is understandable. It was an horrendous public relations decision, given Phillips low-character history. But it spoke volumes about the Bills’ concern over Smith’s health.”

‘”We brought Jerry back because he’s a good player and he’s versatile enough to play a lot of postions. In this case, it can really help us,” Phillips said. “But there were a lot of factors. Hicks and Spriggs have looked good. Last year, no way could we do this. We didn’t even know who the backups would be. But we’re trying to get a starting unit, the best five, together and give it time to jell.”‘

‘”I prefer to stay here, but sure, I’d love to play somewhere else if Doug’s going to be the man here for a long time,” Johnson said. “This year will tell a lot. Salary cap wise, I’m sure they can keep us both another year and be fine but after that it’ll get tough and I know, from talking to people, there are three or four spots out there where I could start. But they have me for five years if they want. We’ll see. I don’t worry about it now. I’m happy. I’m fine.”‘

‘”We have some exciting new players and some who have been here a while and are ready to blossom,” Smith said. “And we have some older players who just seem to keep getting better and better.”

‘”All I wanted was to be treated fairly,” Reed said. “I just wanted to be paid. That’s all you deserve. Fortunately we got something accomplished, and I’m here to play.”‘

“Smith aggravated his groin in June working out at his home in Alabama. He came to Buffalo to be examined by team doctor John Marzo and a magnetic resonance imaging exam was taken. But after running hard on Day One of camp Saturday, Smith’s groin tightened on Sunday.”