Archives for November 13, 2000

‘Following the Bills’ snoozer of a 20-3 win over the offensively challenged Chicago Bears yesterday, in which both men played a role, they were given a chance to bury the hatchet in the fertile soil of their simmering feud. Not so subtly, they each came up short.’

‘Just as they did four weeks ago when Johnson separated his shoulder, Bills fans had a chance to take sides with a public display in this quarterback controversy, roaring with approval as Flutie was held back.’

‘After what he has seen the past month, Rob Johnson knows as long as he and Doug Flutie are in Buffalo there will be no real peace.’

‘So much for the quarterback controversy. For that matter, so much for the rest of the season.’

‘"Cade is going to be a great quarterback. I’ll be the first one to say that. His physical skills are second to none."’

‘"Things like this have just happened in my career. They’re character builders and I know I’ll come back stronger. All I can do is heal up."’

‘The defense had held the Buffalo Bills to 299 total yards and allowed only 13 points despite four turnovers in the second half by the Bears offense. They did not allow the Bills a first down in the fourth quarter.’

‘Sometimes you wonder if God is telling Miller that his purpose isn’t to be a starting QB.’

‘As usual, disaster struck just when things seemed to be looking up for the Bears.’

‘Rookie middle linebacker Brian Urlacher was at his omnipresent best again Sunday, turning up so often you’d swear he’d been cloned. Officially, Urlacher was credited with 14 tackles, but seemed to have that many in the first half alone.’

‘"You can give the edge to him," Smith said. "He caught two plays when I was on him and made some great catches on them."’

‘It’s hard to keep things interesting in Buffalo, but Bills coach Wade Phillips does his best to spark the masses.’

‘Any chance the Bears had of salvaging some respectability from a disappointing season probably ended when quarterback Jim Miller suffered a torn left Achilles’ tendon with 5:20 left in the first half Sunday.’

‘Against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, the defense made a game of it when the offense offered only 3 points the entire day.’

‘Only twice this season have the Bears permitted fewer than the 299 total yards they surrendered against the Bills (276 vs. the Lions and 298 against the Eagles), but it wasn’t good enough to prevent another defeat.’