AFC contenders Tennessee and Buffalo meet in a nationally televised preseason game.
By The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Being friends in the NFL takes second place when it’s time for kickoff. Just ask Buffalo coach Gregg Williams or Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher.

The two spent seven years together as coaches on the same staff, including six with Fisher as the head coach and four with Williams as his defensive coordinator at the Titans.

When Buffalo visits Tennessee Saturday for an exhibition (televised on ESPN at 8 p.m. EDT) it will be the first time the duo has coached against each other.

“It doesn’t make any difference who it is when you’re across the field during the three hours of competition,” Williams said. “You mean business, you’re competing to win, and you’re doing everything you can to win.”

Fisher agrees. He’s had much more experience coaching against friends or returning to stadiums where he once coached or played.

“I really don’t preoccupy or consume myself with that. I am very happy for Gregg. He got his opportunity. He’s got a good football team. Both of us are going to try to win the ball game,” Fisher said.

Friendships in the NFL take a break whenever a game is at hand, no matter how deep the ties run.

Williams was one of the few on-staff coaches Fisher retained when he was named coach of the then-Houston Oilers in January 1995. Williams stayed with the franchise for 11 years before moving on to Buffalo as head coach.

Their families became close, and the coaches spent plenty of time golfing, hunting and fishing. Even now that Williams is in Buffalo, they talk often on the telephone.

But come kickoff, none of that matters. Fisher, secure with a contract extension through 2006, is trying to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1999.

The Bills are trying to improve from last season’s 8-8 record, looking for the playoffs in the final year on Williams’ current contract. They are 1-0 in the preseason after the defense held off Baltimore for a 20-19 victory. That retooled defense will get a stiffer test against the Titans because Steve McNair and Eddie George appeared to be in mid-season form in their 10-9 victory over Cleveland last week. They opened the game with a 15-play, 72-yard drive for a touchdown. The Bills likely will be without starting linebacker Takeo Spikes, who has been limited by a groin injury this week. But former Tennessee Volunteer Dominique Stevenson will be replacing him.

“I’m pretty excited to head back to my old college state. Some people I know will be there,” Stevenson said.

Buffalo center Trey Teague, one of four former Vols on the Bills, has his own opinion.

“He’s going down there to kick some Tennessee butt,” Teague said.

This may be just an exhibition, but Titans cornerback Samari Rolle said nobody will be able to forget that they play again on Dec. 14 when both teams hope to be vying for a playoff berth. “I know he’s going to have them ready to play and try to out-physical us,” Rolle said of Williams. “Yeah, we can send a message this weekend.”

Only end Jevon Kearse and Rolle remain as starters from 2000, when Williams guided a Titans defense that was the stingiest in the NFL. Linebackers Peter Sirmon and Keith Bulluck, who were rookies then, now are starters.

The Titans may be without Rolle (mild concussion) but safety Lance Schulters (Bell’s Palsy) will play. Buffalo quarterback Drew Bledsoe will be able to test cornerbacks like Mike Echols and Tony Beckham, both entering their second season, or possibly rookie safety Donnie Nickey.

But Williams said he wouldn’t mind if Fisher wins this game. “We’ll win the one in December,” Williams said. “That’s all right.”

Martin to see first action of preseason

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Curtis Martin has been on the field three times so far this preseason. He has yet to touch the ball.

New York Jets coach Herman Edwards has a different plan for his running back against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday night. Edwards wants Martin to finally get some carries, after he allowed the perennial 1,000-yard rusher to essentially rest the first two games.

“We want to get him the ball, just let him go through the process of playing in a game,” Edwards said. “I get more comfortable with some of the things I can ask him to do. And I think he’s more comfortable with the decisions we make for him.

“He knows that it’s preventive, it’s for the long haul so he can finish strong at the end. And I think he knows that, and his mind works that way, too, now.”

Martin did not play in the opener against Tampa Bay, and was in on three passing plays last week against Cincinnati. He is coming off a tough season in which he played through injuries to both ankles.

Though Martin finished with a career-low 1,094 yards, he joined Barry Sanders as the only players to run for over 1,000 yards in each of their first eight seasons. He spent the offseason receiving treatment on his ankles, and practices once a day during training camp. Now, Martin is eager to finally get back onto the field.

“My ankles feel good,” he said. “Coming into the season, I was still more pessimistic than optimistic about it. Now I have no doubts.”

When Edwards arrived to coach the Jets, he decided he wanted to give some veteran players like Martin plenty of rest. It was hard at first for Martin to understand why Edwards wanted to limit his practice routine.

“It was almost like I was stealing all his toys or something,” Edwards said. “I think as we kept going, he understood why.”

Pinkston signs six-year extension

PHILADELPHIA – Wide receiver Todd Pinkston signed a six-year contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday.

Financial terms weren’t announced for a deal that runs through 2008. Pinkston would have been eligible for free agency after the 2004 season.

A second-round pick in 2000, Pinkston emerged as a reliable target for quarterback Donovan McNabb last season, leading the Eagles with 60 receptions for 798 yards and seven touchdowns.

He had 42 catches in 2001, 10 as a rookie.

“I think it’s great that we’re going to be playing together for a long time,” Pinkston said. “Donovan is a great quarterback. I love playing with him. I don’t have to worry about contract issues any more.”

Pinkston and James Thrash give Philadelphia a capable if unspectacular receiving tandem. Thrash had 52 catches for 635 yards and six TDs last season.

Starting running back Duce Staley is holding out for an extension. Staley, scheduled to earn $2.2 million in the final year of his contract, is upset the Eagles haven’t called to discuss his future.