Let’s review: The Bills have two quarterbacks. They are both rookies. Camp has not gone well for already-shaky Buffalo, and Jeff Tuel or the hobbled EJ Manuel will have his hands full when he is welcomed to the NFL by Tom Brady and the Patriots next Sunday.
But one member of the Buffalo offense isn’t letting that bother him. Stevie Johnson, who has spent six years in the NFL watching his team get trashed by the Patriots, has decided to share some comments ahead of Week 1.
Johnson was asked Monday why the Bills think they can compete against the Patriots.
“Because I’m here,” he said, according to ESPN.com. “I don’t think they have anybody to stop me — for real. I think we have guys in the receiver room that are as good as I am, if not better. I just have that confidence in my teammates and in myself.”
One man’s confidence is another man’s insult — Johnson appeared to be taking a direct rip at the New England secondary, which has had its struggles in recent years. Despite appearing to knock the Patriots’ defenders, though, Johnson then handed out some accolades, although he did it by praising a player who isn’t even on the Patriots anymore.
“[Aqib Talib is] long, athletic, tries to play with vision,” Johnson said. “I have a lot of respect for [current Eagles player Patrick] Chung. [Devin] McCourty, he’s a Pro Bowl player. …
“I give a lot of credit to the Patriots. They play as one unit. … They’re aggressive. It’s going to be a test. It’s going to be a challenge. But I still think we can take advantage of their defense. … I’ll still ride with my boys over their guys.”
Boys/guys may have been the most salient point he made all day.
The Patriots have won 18 of their last 19 against the Bills, the only loss coming by three points in 2011.
