Two Bills Drive

‘Smith is expected to make his pro debut tonight in a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. It won’t amount to much — after signing a contract earlier this week, the quarterback from Oregon needs to catch up before he can play much.’

‘Phillips has been evasive and prickly about the subject of his quarterbacks, each of whom earns a starter’s salary. “Maybe I’m being hard-headed about it,” Phillips said. “We’ve got two good quarterbacks, our team is happy about that. That’s it.”‘

‘NFL rosters must be trimmed to 65 players by Tuesday, making tonight’s third preseason game at Cincinnati a night of last auditions. Making the game more critical for those on the bubble is that Bills coach Wade Phillips plans on using much of it honing his first units and working on things they will be operating this year. If some starters need rest, they can take it next Saturday when the Bills end their practice schedule at home against Pittsburgh. What it means is less opportunity tonight for newcomers to make a good impression.’

‘”I don’t want to try to unseat Bruce or Phil because that’s not my position here,” Wiley said. “We have two great defensive ends already and hopefully I can step from good to great and the team would benefit from it.”‘

‘”You can see Keith has ability,” linebacker coach Chuck Lester said. “He’s got natural things that will allow him to rush the passer. He’s got body lean and he’s strong, the way he sheds blockers. He has improved every practice.”‘

‘Choice One will receive the naming rights to the Buffalo Bills Rochester Club, an enclosed 450-seat suite where fans get a catered buffet and in-seat beverage service. The club, meant for corporate customers as well as individuals, is located above the tunnel entrance of the stadium behind the east end zone. The club, to be renamed “Choice One Club,” was part of the stadium’s $63 million offseason renovation.’

Wade Phillips: “We’re getting two quarterbacks ready … that’s all we’re doing. “When we finish preseason, we’ll be in great shape at quarterback … I don’t have any doubt. And there isn’t any more to it than that. I think people are trying to read more into it than there is.”

‘The simple truth is that, in today’s NFL, whether you designate a No. 1 or not, without two quality quarterbacks it’s tough to survive an entire season and remain in contention.’

‘Football has not been kind to Bill Kushner. He has been axed more times than a cord of wood.’

‘Coslet said [Akili] Smith could play Saturday when the Bengals face the Buffalo Bills in their preseason home opener, but only in the right circumstances. “I refuse to put him in there to fail,” he said. “I’m not going to put him in there when (reserve right tackle) Mike Doughty’s playing left tackle and Bruce Smith is still in there.’

‘[The Bills are] a solid football team across the board but short on the superstars that win championships. Wide receiver Eric Moulds is entering that zone, but both wideout Andre Reed and defensive end Bruce Smith are descending in the mid-30s. The Bills have been so good for so long that they haven’t drafted high enough to add those necessary blue-chippers.’

‘Bill Kushner admits it’s just about time he finds a real job. With standout veteran Chris Mohr back for a ninth season, the 29-year-old free-agent punter with the Buffalo Bills is sure to be among the first round of cuts Tuesday.’

‘”I think we have to wait until the preseason is over, see where we are and how they fit in. If we don’t get them both ready, we won’t be able to do those kinds of things. If I only say one guy’s the starter and we’re only getting one ready, the other guy’s going to be behind and I don’t want that.”‘