Archives for November 16, 2000

‘"But the big difference is that we’re playing much better (on the offensive line). Early in the season we had a lot of busts where guys came in free." However, he included himself in that mix.’

‘Johnson is the most-sacked quarterback in the NFL in terms of takedowns per pass attempt.’

‘Kansas City is 27th in punt coverage and 30th in kickoff coverage. The Chiefs are 19th in punt returns and 24th in kickoff returns.’

‘Buffalo Bills defensive end Marcellus Wiley teamed up with New York State Police Maj. Michael F. McManus on Wednesday to kick off a seat-belt awareness campaign.’

‘"It feels great to get back in there and get all the reps in practice and know all week that you’re going to play," Johnson said yesterday. "It’s good to be back."’

‘Defensive end Phil Hansen remains sidelined by a knee injury, and eight others who were hurt Sunday in the victory over Chicago joined Hansen in sweat clothes on the sidelines.’

‘The Bills, who won’t get defensive end Phil Hansen back for another two or three weeks, had a host of players who stayed out of practice yesterday.’

‘With Johnson poised to return as the Bills starter this Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs at raucous Arrowhead Stadium, the quarterback controversy between Johnson and Doug Flutie temporarily has taken a back seat to a more pressing issue — the rash of injuries that suddenly has plagued the team.’

‘Don’t be surprised if you see Derrick Alexander returning punts for the Chiefs on Sunday. Or Tony Gonzalez attempting to block one.’

‘"If Flutie plays, we can go out and make a statement that we can play against a scrambling type of quarterback. If Johnson plays, we can go out and make a statement about that type of quarterback, too."’

‘Translation: The defense was a lot more effective when I was the defensive coordinator from 1995 to 1998. Kurt Schottenheimer is no Gunther Cunningham.’

‘If you’ve ever played golf in North or South Carolina, scenes from "The Legend of Bagger Vance" will be incredibly familiar. But finding the perfect course for the movie involved a worldwide search that actually ended in the office of former Chiefs quarterback Steve Fuller.’

‘Second-year man Mike Maslowski will make his first NFL start Sunday against Buffalo when he takes over at left outside linebacker for Lew Bush.’

‘"(Johnson) was our starter at the start of the season, and that really hasn’t changed," Phillips said Wednesday in a conference call. "Doug came in when he was hurt. There was no big, monumental decision here."’

‘Gunther Cunningham said Wednesday he was "as close as I can be" to installing starting receiver Derrick Alexander as the Kansas City Chiefs punt returner for Sunday’s home game against Buffalo.’