Two Bills Drive

‘Leaks on the offense and defense have been the main story line in the Falcons’ 6-7 season, which continues Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. They overshadow what has been a noteworthy performance by the special teams, coached by Joe DeCamillis.’

‘Mohr called the Bills "a great organization," although he was perturbed by how it ended. Mohr said no one from the new management team, led by president and general manager Tom Donahoe, called to tell him he was getting cut. He found out when a reporter called for his reaction. "I guess different strokes for different folks," Mohr said. "That’s the way some people are."’

‘But perhaps most telling is not how many times Johnson was sacked, but how infrequently Van Pelt has been since he took over.’

‘Buffalo’s most famous game in Atlanta wasn’t against the Falcons, but the Dallas Cowboys, as the Georgia Dome was the site of Super Bowl XXVIII. Unfortunately for the Bills, the fourth time to the Super Bowl wasn’t the charm, as a 13-6 halftime lead over the Cowboys evaporated when James Washington returned Jim Kelly’s fumble to tie the game, and game MVP Emmitt Smith ran for a pair of touchdowns as Dallas won their second straight Super Bowl title at the expense of the Bills.’

"But at the same time, Chris Chandler’s doing what he can do with that offense, throwing the ball, moving it around, but they haven’t had Jamal Anderson in there to give them the running game they need, and they miss that. They’re not running the ball like they would like to."

‘Clements, who supplanted Ken Irvin in the starting lineup by Buffalo’s fifth game against Jacksonville, has teamed with Antoine Winfield to give the Bills one of the better cornerback duos in the league.’

‘"It’s been emotional; there have been a lot of dark nights," said Anderson, injured Sept. 30 on the opening drive of the 34-14 victory at Arizona. "You turn those things into the fire that gets you back on the field. Watching it slip away, when you can’t participate . . . it’s almost like watching your family get robbed and you can’t do anything about it."’

‘Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel’s 6.5 sacks are third in the NFL among rookies, trailing Cincinnati’s Justin Smith (7.5) and Pittsburgh linebacker Kendrell Bell (7.0).’

‘"This is kind of like working for a company that you know is going out of business in a couple of months. How do you go out and put your best foot forward?"’

Rob Johnson: Everybody but Mario Cuomo weighed in on the Johnson vs. Doug Flutie debate last offseason, and the whole mess did make for a heck of a Bills-Chargers game in October. But you can’t ignore these two realities: Johnson got hurt a lot, like he always does, and when he did play, he didn’t win much. Like always. Thus, Buffalo made the wrong decision for 2001. Flutie would have given them a shot at more success than 2-11. But long term, Johnson may still be the answer. That is, if the Bills bring him back, which they appear to be leaning toward.

Gregg Williams: Last year, the Bills were in playoff contention until the final two weeks of the season. This year, the Bills were in playoff contention until the regular season started. With the salary cap cutbacks that took place this year, Buffalo never really had a chance. The best hope is that this was a take-your-medicine type of season that bears quick fruit in the future. Still, somewhere out there, Wade Phillips is smiling, and counting his money from that last Ralph Wilson paycheck.

The rehabilitation of the Green Bay Packers battered linebacker unit won’t include the addition of five-time Pro Bowl performer Cornelius Bennett. Team officials having concluded after a workout that the 14-year veteran was not in good enough physical condition to help the team.

To be successful, you have to be lucky and the Patriots got a few breaks. Belichick knew Antowain Smith from trying to stop him for years in Buffalo. After the Bills released him, the Patriots signed him for $500,000. He’s gained 920 yards on 240 carries.

He was, however, more than their QB, much more. He was the architect — the creator — of the Bills’ new offense, which was a fast-break, no-huddle, impressively pass-oriented offense. First he envisioned it, then he sold it to the Buffalo coaches, and finally he directed it on the field, calling all the plays himself. That first year, 1990, Kelly’s offense was the most remarkable new thing in American sports.

‘Still, that’s a long way up from being the laughingstock of the league, which is what they were in 2000.’

‘The Falcons rank 30th in the NFL in attendance with an average of 54,628 fans through seven home games.’