ESPN.com - NFL/TRAININGCAMP00 - Johnson, Flutie still uncomfortable about switch

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 Monday, July 24
Johnson, Flutie still uncomfortable about switch
 
 By John Clayton
ESPN.com

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- For a few days following their heartbreaking playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans, Rob Johnson couldn't escape people asking him his thoughts about whether officials robbed his Bills. That was easy compared to what followed for the next six months.

Doug Flutie
Doug Flutie catches a pass during his youth clinic at Bills training camp on Thursday.

"The play (the Music City Miracle) took a little away from that radical decision that Wade Phillips made (benching Doug Flutie in favor of Johnson)," Johnson said. "Once Tennessee beat Jacksonville, that play was obsolete and nobody else talked about it. That would be nice now. I'm sick of people asking, 'Who's starting.?' "

The tough part for both Flutie and Johnson is that the subject remains so uncomfortable. They don't have answers for the reason why Phillips made the switch at that time, and while they can peacefully coexist now that Johnson is the starter, both quarterbacks won't feel comfortable again until the season ends and the results are in.

"Who's starting doesn't mean anything," Johnson said. "If I'm starting in Week 16 or 17, that means something. Hopefully, I won't have to answer any of them by next year."

There is the frustration of not playing. And I have no say in the matter ... (even though) I have the highest winning percentage of any quarterback who is active now that Steve Young has retired.
Doug Flutie, Bills quarterback

Flutie has the tougher assignment. During the offseason, he thrives on competitions. He plays in basketball leagues, hockey league and now soccer leagues -- indoor and outdoors. If there isn't anything organized, he'll go for a pick-up game.

The only thing that he can't compete in and win for now is being the Bills' starting quarterback. That's Johnson's job.

"I'm going into my 16th year of professional football," Flutie said. "I start the season fresh, but then there is the frustration of not playing. And I have no say in the matter. I've been told, as of right now, I have the highest winning percentage of any quarterback who is active now that Steve Young has retired.

"I just shake my head about that perception (that he isn't good enough). I thought I was past that."

Both Flutie and Johnson are struggling with the end of last season. It will be in the back of their heads until the end of this year.

John Clayton is the senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
 



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