Archives for October 17, 2000

‘The normally accessible Flutie did not make himself available to the media Monday as he was locked away in a room at the Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse studying film. There are a number of ways to look at why Flutie wasn’t around to talk about getting his first start since Week 15 of last season. Is there so much concern about facing the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings on Sunday that more film work is needed, or is he so motivated to succeed that he couldn’t break away for even a few minutes? Or could it be that Flutie doesn’t want to come off as being insensitive about starting at the expense of a fallen teammate? Whatever the case, the job is his. How he handles it will have a huge bearing on how the rest of the Bills’ season plays out.’

‘Week after week, the offensive linemen have botched their assignments, leaving Johnson exposed to unimpeded rushers. What Brown seemed to be saying was, we’re tired of it. Give us some blocking schemes that don’t get abused. Last week, Eric Moulds asked for Joe Pendry’s offense to be simplified. It was a clear sign of discontent simmering within the offense. Brown’s outburst, which embarrassed the coaching staff in front of 72,000 fans and a TV audience, was a more dramatic cry for help. Phillips can laugh it off all he wants. I doubt Johnson is laughing.’

‘After being held to two sacks in the previous three games, the Bills recorded four in the 27-24 overtime win over San Diego on Sunday. The Bills moved Marcellus Wiley from right defensive end to the left side and put rookie Erik Flowers at right end in the nickel defense. The result was a career-high two sacks for Wiley, while Flowers recorded his first as a pro.’

‘"Offensively, with Doug Flutie, I think they are going to recommit themselves to running the football," Vikings coach Dennis Green said. "I think Doug likes the running game with the play-action pass. We’re going to have to work extremely hard in that area this week."’

‘Should the Bills (3-3) upset the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings (6-0) on the road Sunday, then get past the New York Jets (5-1) at home the following week, and the offense is humming under Flutie, Phillips will be faced with a decision to make, just like he was in 1998. The big difference is that Johnson is much more entrenched as the starter and Flutie could be a salary cap cut after this season anyway.’

‘I also think a one-two punch of Johnson and Flutie could be effective, but we’re in the minority. Perhaps Phillips would be more inclined to try it if Flutie does well in his upcoming emergency starting role and Johnson returns 100 percent healthy.’

‘In some corners, the former Argos star has a reputation as a "me-first" guy, a handle that quickly will be forgotten if he leads his team to a couple of wins, of course. In his defence, he has been dealt some rotten hands by the NFL, both by the Bills and previously the Chicago Bears. Which leads us to the crisis in waiting. What happens if Flutie leads the Bills to victories over the Vikings this Sunday, the New York Jets the following weekend and the New England Patriots after that?’

‘"I think I learned my lesson early on. And it’s not a factor of Rob gets hurt, it’s a factor of it’s NFL football and the opportunity will probably be there," Flutie said. "I guess we’ll just take it one game at a time. I just have to prepare and get ready."’