Stevie Johnson has never been at a loss for confidence... or words.
With his Buffalo Bills traveling across the bottom of the state Sunday to face the division rival New York Jets, the veteran wide receiver is feeling good as he prepares to face a Gang Green secondary that looks a little different than in years past.
"At the end of the day, I like our guys over theirs," Johnson said Wednesday, via Tim Graham of The Buffalo News.
Johnson has gotten used to going head to head with Darrelle Revis, who was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This week, he'll take on another top-notched cornerback in Antonio Cromartie.
"He's savvy," Johnson told Graham of Cromartie. "He's been in this league for a while, so he's learned little tricks of the trade. He's comfortable in his position. I study him a lot, even when Revis was there."
Outside of Cromartie, the rest of the cornerback corps is somewhat in flux.
First-rounder Dee Milliner has started the past two games but was benched against the New England Patriots. Jets coach Rex Ryan hasn't specified what he'll do with Milliner, which opens the door for an underwhelming former first-rounder Kyle Wilson and a third-year undrafted defensive back who has impressed so far this year in Darrin Walls.
"Other guys got to step up," Johnson said. "Either the pressure's going to create diamonds or you ain't going to be able to last. . .. We'll see what they can do."
So far, the Jets have stepped up. Their defense is surrendering the lowest completion percentage in the league, allowing opposing quarterbacks to connect on just 48.6 of their passing attempts. New York has faced Tom Brady's New England Patriots and Josh Freeman's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Bills rookie Robert Woods has caught the second-most passes -- five -- among Buffalo's wide receivers behind Johnson's 11.
As expected, rookie quarterback E.J. Manuel has utilized his running backs and tight end through two games, as they've accounted for 26 of Manuel's 45 completions.
