Archives for September 17, 2000

‘After missing the entire 1999 season, New York Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde would be expected to have some cobwebs early this season. Fortunately for Jets fans, the veteran has been able to shake them for fourth-quarter rallies in his team’s first two wins. But Testaverde, who today will face the AFC’s leading defence in the Buffalo Bills, believes he’ll need a quicker start if his team is to go 3-0. “We’re going to have to go out right away and play some good football this week if we’re going to have any chance to beat the Bills,” Testaverde said. “But we definitely have confidence that no matter what the situation is at the end of the game, we can come back.”‘

‘After two victories in which a dysfunctional offense took three quarters to come to life, today the Jets (2-0) face in the Bills (2-0) a team with a defense so dominating that it is unlikely to let the Jets catch up if they fall behind.’

‘Today, the Jets can break the hex with a victory over the Bills (2-0) at Giants Stadium – a battle for sole possession of first place in the AFC East and an intriguing showdown between two teams that survived tumultuous offseasons. The Jets are winning without Bill Parcells and Keyshawn Johnson, and the Bills are doing it without Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed, a trio that won six division titles and four AFC championships. They’re as synonymous with Buffalo as beef on weck. But life goes on in the NFL. "It’s amazing," Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde said of the Bills’ resilience. "Without Bruce Smith, Andre Reed and Thomas, you’d think there would be a big dropoff. But there is none. They might be a better team."’

‘Prediction: Bills, 23-21.’

‘The Jets haven’t started 3-0 since 1966…’.

‘None of the Jets players was heavily into reflecting on what it will be like to play the Bills for the first time without nemeses Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, and Andre Reed wearing blue and red. "It’s not going to be strange," said strong safety Victor Green. "The guys they had did a wonderful job when they were there. All good things come to an end. Their fans will miss them more than we will."’

‘But challenges are hardly new for the Bills, whose schedule was ranked in the preseason as the toughest in the NFL. The are 2-0 with a revamped defense — four new starters on a unit that ranked first in the league last season. There hasn’t been much falloff — it’s ranked third overall in the league.’