Buffalo Bills News - September 27, 2000

Colts changing course on defense [9:04 PM]
AP reports: 'And that focus and intensity again will be the difference this weekend when Indianapolis visits Buffalo, where it has not won since 1994. Especially against a quarterback such as Rob Johnson, who is agile enough to lead the Bills in rushing this season. "We're facing a similar type of quarterback as we did last week," coach Jim Mora said. "He's an athletic-type quarterback that is tough to bring down."'

Flutie ready to reclaim his backup quarterback role [9:02 PM]
AP reports: 'Before Flutie tore a groin muscle in July, Buffalo Bills head coach Wade Phillips suggested using Flutie in certain situations in place of starter Rob Johnson. With Flutie expected to be promoted to No. 2 quarterback for this Sunday's game against Indianapolis, Phillips didn't sound all that certain about sticking to his original plan. "We have to play that by ear," Phillips said on Wednesday. "Certainly, I think he can help you. I think he's a guy that can come in and spark-plug you."'

Bills pass on run to concentrate on air attack [8:58 PM]
AP reports: '"I think we're going to be more of a passing team this year. That's what it looks like to me," Phillips said on Wednesday. "I think we're going to be able to move the ball through the air efficiently."'

Flutie back running with the No. 2 offense in practice [8:58 AM]
Buffalo News reports: 'After spending the first three weeks of the season as the third-string quarterback because of a groin injury, Flutie has moved ahead of Alex Van Pelt on the depth chart. Flutie began working with the second-team offense last week, and his workload will likely increase this week as the Bills prepare for Sunday's AFC East showdown against the Indianapolis Colts at Ralph Wilson Stadium.'

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September 26, 2000

Smith rips Bills over demotion [9:31 AM]
Buffalo News reports: 'Smith got the ball 18 times per game in 1998 when he ran for a career-high 1,124 yards, but averaged just 10 carries last season. "For me, I feel like I really wasn't getting a fair opportunity at it," Smith said. "The last game, I only had five carries. Thirty carries (actually 34) in three games. . . . I guess that's enough carries to do your job. I guess."'

Smith says he's the scapegoat [5:44 AM]
D and C reports: '"The running game hasn't gotten off to a good start so the blame had to fall on somebody's shoulders, and I'm that guy," said Smith, who was demoted to No. 3 on the depth chart behind Jonathan Linton and Shawn Bryson. Asked how big his shoulders were, an uncharacteristically angry and sarcastic Smith quipped: "Big enough to carry this blame."'

September 25, 2000

Smith considers himself the 'scapegoat' for Bills poor running game [8:00 PM]
AP reports: '"You know something, for me I feel like I wasn't given a fair opportunity. Last game I only had five carries. I guess 30 carries in three games is enough carries to do your job, I guess," Smith said. "The running game hasn't gotten off to a good start, so the blame has to fall on somebody's shoulders and I'm that guy."'

Bills now look ahead to Colts after bye week [7:58 PM]
Olean Times Herald reports: 'While the Bills enjoyed a week off, Indianapolis, which already had its bye week, will be entertaining tough Jacksonville tonight. In case you're wondering, Buffalo has one of the NFL's best records in games after bye weeks, since those open dates were added to the schedule in 1990. The Bills are 9-2 following bye weeks, 6-2 at home, 3-0 on the road. In fact, they're even inspired heading into bye, going 8-4 the game before, one of those losses coming a week ago at the Meadowlands.'

DeHaven Is Missed As Special [1:15 PM]
Jamestown Post Journal reports: 'If I have do have one criticism of Phillips, it's his hiring of Ronnie James [sic], a former assistant coach at Texas-El Paso, who is over his head as the Bills' special teams coach. As I wrote earlier this week, the Bills would have been better off keeping Bruce DeHaven, who was fired after the Music City Miracle in January. Jones, who had never coached special teams before arriving in Orchard Park, has not been able to straighten out Buffalo's horrific kick coverage. Pull out the tape against the New York Jets for proof of that. If I'm Phillips, I'd put Steve Tasker or Mark Pike on my speed dial.'

Bills cash in on higher ticket costs [5:30 AM]
Business First of Buffalo reports: 'The Bills, according to the SportsBusiness Journal, have the seventh highest payroll in the league at $70.65 million. Despite paring several long-time top performers, that is a 32 percent increase from 1999 and compared with 1998, when the team's player payroll was $49.8 million, represents a 42 percent rise...So what are the Bills, playing in the retro-fitted, better revenue-producing stadium, worth? Forbes Magazine ventures a guess in the Sept. 18 issue. Forbes figures the Bills are valued at $365 million, 21st overall and well below the league average of $423 million. Again, the Redskins, at $741 million, are tops while the Arizona Cardinals rank last at $305 million.'

September 24, 2000

Healthy Panos (knock on wood) eyes Indy [9:06 AM]
Buffalo News reports: 'Now healthy, Panos expects to return to full-scale workouts this week. But he won't allow himself to get too excited about it. "The last time I got fired up to play, I got hurt again," he said. "It's just been one thing after another, from my neck to my foot to my foot again. It's tough not being out there. I waited the whole year last year, so three games this year is enough. "I know God's got a plan for me. I'll just have to hang in there a little longer. My time will come."'

Lack of depth, experience could spill Bills [8:18 AM]
D and C reports: '"I look at wins just like a loss," says coach Wade Phillips, whose teams have a history of improving as the season wears on. "I never said everything's rosie and we're a great team because we beat Tennessee. There were things we had to do, like block the blitz better, run the ball better, have our quarterback make the right decisions. We're working on all of it, but it doesn't all happen at once."'

September 23, 2000

Man admits stealing items worth $50,000 from Jim Kelly [8:55 AM]
Buffalo News reports: 'An Orchard Park man pleaded guilty Friday to stealing sports memorabilia from the home of former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly and causing crack cocaine to be planted in a man's car. State Supreme Court Justice Russell P. Buscaglia told Mark J. Dombrowski, 36, that he will limit Dombrowski's prison sentence to one year, but Dombrowski must pay $6,500 to Kelly or insurance companies who have already compensated Kelly for the theft of more than $50,000 in sports memorabilia.'

Flutie's '22' hits the spot [8:07 AM]
Boston Globe reports: 'The No. 22 has gone unworn in the Natick football program for the last 19 years. Last night, in a halftime ceremony during the Redmen's game with Braintree, the school officially retired the number made famous by the quarterback who put the town on the map.'

Fun night for Flutie memories [8:06 AM]
Metro West Daily News reports: 'After winning the Heisman and devouring the CFL for eight years, the big stage for Flutie now is the NFL, and it's not the best of times, come to think of it. Rob Johnson has taken over the starting job with the 2-1 Buffalo Bills. Flutie, injured during training camp, hasn't played a down yet, although he said he could. "I feel 100 percent. I'm ready to go. But I've felt that way for two weeks."'

September 22, 2000

Bills attempt to regain momentum [7:22 AM]
AP reports: 'On the surface, the Bills are maintaining a stiff upper lip, citing their 2-1 record. Underneath, a sense of urgency has developed. Why else would coach Wade Phillips turn to sparingly used Jonathan Linton and relegate starting running back Antowain Smith to No. 3 on his depth chart? And what to make of defensive co-ordinator's Ted Cottrell's biting challenge issued to the Bills' special team players? "Those rookies basically better get on the stick," Cottrell said. "If they give up a kickoff return for a lot or yards, that puts a big strain on the rest of the defence, so you better get your act together if you want to stay around here." So much for the rest and relaxation a bye week is supposed to bring. The bright side is that the Bills don't get a chance to beat themselves this weekend.'

September 21, 2000

Bills demote Smith in favor of Linton [8:59 AM]
Buffalo News reports: 'The Bills saw enough of Smith through only three games and 34 carries to demote him in favor of Jonathan Linton for the big meeting with the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 1. "He's a good player and he hasn't gotten to play, and I think he'll help give us a spark," Bills coach Wade Phillips said about Linton after announcing the move Wednesday.'

Hunter's Hope charity ball set for Dec. 1 [8:55 AM]
Buffalo News reports: 'Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino will be among the celebrity guests at the black-tie fund-raising event to kick off the annual candle campaign of the Hunter's Hope Foundation. The organization was founded in 1997 by former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly and his wife, Jill, to fund research on Krabbe disease, a fatal genetic disorder that afflicts their son, Hunter.'

Flat Bills tap Linton for kick vs. Colts [6:07 AM]
D and C reports: 'Saying he's looking for a "spark" for his anemic running game, Buffalo Bills coach Wade Phillips yesterday named Jonathan Linton as his starting running back for the Indianapolis Colts game Oct. 1. Headed to the bench is Antowain Smith, whose career has been in freefall since topping 1,000 yards two seasons ago.'

September 20, 2000

Bills Moore out 4-6 weeks with ankle sprain [8:53 PM]
AP reports: 'Bills rookie linebacker Corey Moore will miss 4-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain, coach Wade Phillips said on Wednesday.'

Linton to replace Smith as Bills shuffle starting running backs [8:51 PM]
AP reports: 'Linton, who has not carried the ball yet this year has been limited to special teams play while recovering from a rib injury, will take over for Antowain Smith following the bye week when the Bills host AFC East Division rival Indianapolis on Oct. 1. "We wanted to give Jonathan the opportunity," coach Wade Phillips said Wednesday. "We're fortunate to have a number of quality backs that can help us win games and this is Jonathan's chance to show what he can do as the starter."'

September 19, 2000

Smith's time has ended as feature back [2:51 PM]
Olean Times Herald reports: 'While the Bills rushed for only 80 yards in New York, significantly they averaged 3.5 yards per carry. Even more prophetically, it appears there's been a switch at feature back. Against the Jets, Antowain Smith had only five carries for 13 yards, none in the final 28 minutes of the game. His place was taken by Shawn Bryson, last year's third-round draft choice, who had 12 carries for 40 yards and lost a 21-yard run on a procedure penalty that had nothing to do with the gain. Through three games, Smith has a microscopic 72 yards on 34 carries and you get the idea the coaching staff is growing weary of making excuses for him.'

Bills Riemersma may miss 4-to-5 weeks with knee injury [1:53 PM]
AP reports: 'Tight end Jay Riemersma, one of Buffalo's most consistent clutch receivers, is expected to miss 4-to-5 weeks recovering from a damaged left knee ligament, his agent Jack Wirth said. "If there's no complications, it's probably going to take 4-to-5 weeks," Wirth told The Associated Press on Monday evening after Riemersma underwent a Magnetic Resonance Imaging exam earlier in the day. The good news, Wirth said, is that it appears surgery will not be required to repair the medial collateral ligament, and that Riemersma can begin rehabbing immediately. However, Wirth added, "You never know how these things go."'

The last word [10:14 AM]
Toronto Sun reports: '"I think we made mistakes in just about every area you can make mistakes in," [Special Teams Coach Ronnie] Jones said. "(The players) have got to do a better job, I've got to do a better job and we've got to get it done in a hurry."'

Collins to replace ailing Riemersma [9:11 AM]
Buffalo News reports: 'Collins will replace tight end Jay Riemersma, who suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee Sunday in the Bills' 27-14 loss to the New York Jets. The Bills won't know how severe Riemersma's injury is until they get the results of a magnetic resonance imaging exam, which could happen today. However, it is believed he will miss 4-6 weeks.'

Smith's days as go-to back should be over [9:10 AM]
Buffalo News reports: 'With a bye week available to get him ready for Indianapolis, the guess here is that it is Bryson's time, that "running back by committee" may be over.'

Cap woes decimated special teams [9:09 AM]
Buffalo News reports: 'Despite their obvious struggles, the Buffalo Bills will continue to use young, inexperienced players on special teams. Coach Wade Phillips said he has no choice. "They have to play," he said. "I think a lot of them are going to be good, so we've just got to keep going with them."'

Johnson loses a favorite target to injury [6:06 AM]
D and C reports: 'Tight end Jay Riemersma, one of the team's few reliable offensive threats, suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee that will sideline him at least four weeks, general manager John Butler said.'

Maybe Bruce DeHaven wasn't the problem after all [6:05 AM]
D and C reports: 'I don't know how Polian could have prevented the special teams breakdown that cost the Bills last season's playoff game against Tennessee. I believe Phillips is doing a decent job (23-13 regular-season record) and I would describe Butler more as a life jacket than an anchor. The Bills had the NFL's second-best record in the 1990s and Polian left after the 1992 season, which means most of the current Bills came aboard under Butler's watch.'

September 18, 2000

Game Recap [10:37 PM]
Shout! reports: 'Did the Bills play the New York Jets on Sept. 17, or did they just play themselves in some intra-squad scrimmage? Apparently, it was an intra-squad scrimmage because most of the Bills said they beat themselves after the 27-14 loss in Giants Stadium to fall 2-1 on the year.'

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