Archives for November 2000

‘In the days after Buffalo’s 27-14 loss to the New York Jets on Sept. 17, the Bills’ offensive coordinator banished Antowain Smith to the sidelines. For several weeks, Buf falo’s No. 1 draft pick in 1997 had to serve as the team’s most highly touted cheerleader, taking a spot on the team’s inactive list alongside guys like Victor Allotey, the third-year offensive lineman who has made a career out of spending game day in street clothes.’

‘But today’s Chiefs have eschewed the ground attack for an all-out air assault. They rank third in the NFL in passing going into Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.’

‘Running back Sammy Morris and cornerback Donovan Greer look like the only question marks for the Buffalo Bills when they visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.’

‘The Chiefs are back home, hungry and desperate, a bad combination for the Bills.’

‘It has been a maddening tactic for Bills fans to endure, the repeated high and short kickoffs which allow opposing teams to start drives generally somewhere between the 30 or 40-yard-line.’

‘Peterson has made five of eight field-goal attempts (62.5 percent) with the Chiefs, or slightly better than the two for four of his predecessor, Pete Stoyanovich. It’s also far below Peterson’s career percentage of 80.1.’

‘Former Chiefs kick returner Tamarick Vanover was sentenced to four months’ confinement Thursday for his conviction on a federal car-theft charge.’

‘The Bills hope to have as much success defending Gonzalez as they have had against some of the NFL’s better tight ends, including Tennessee’s Frank Wycheck and Indianapolis’ Ken Dilger.’

‘Rookie Sammy Morris, who leads the Buffalo Bills with five touchdowns, missed his second straight practice with an ankle injury Thursday and is questionable for this weekend’s game against Kansas City.’

‘Former Kansas City Chiefs kick return specialist Tamarick Vanover was sentenced Thursday to two months in jail and two months in home detention in a federal stolen car case.’

‘"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."’