Two Bills Drive

‘”I’ve been saying all along that this is a marathon,” Adams said. “I’ve seen teams go 8-2 and not make the playoffs. We’re in this thing for the long haul and right now we’re sitting in the middle of the pack. We’re getting ready to put our kick in like Seabiscuit.”‘

‘The deal gives Xerox signage throughout Ralph Wilson Stadium, category exclusivity and advertising in Bills publications and hospitality on game days. Xerox will also be a sponsor of the Bills’ 2004 training camp.’

‘Trouble is, in this season of great expectations, the Bills are one game worse that last year’s edition which, after a 5-3 start, struggled home 3-5 and missed the playoffs by a win.’

‘While Wilson and general manager Tom Donahoe both have showed some support for the embattled Williams this week, nobody in Buffalo is unaware of how much is at stake in the coming eight weeks. Williams is a good coach and a good man, and his players continue to play hard for him, but it’s clear that he has struggled with how to consistently and correctly push his team’s buttons in his two and a half seasons on the job.’

The only thing the Bills have done to prove me right was trouncing the Patriots in the opener — and I have long maintained that the first game of the season can be the most misleading. The Bills have plenty of talent, but anyone who watched them look thoroughly overmatched in Kansas City on Sunday night must concede that they’re something missing in Buffalo. Coach Gregg Williams will need at least a strong second half to survive.

‘”Being that we’re 4-4 and we just lost a pretty big game in a big way, there is more attention to detail and more focus at the couple of practices we have,” said Milloy. “We need to iron out some of the things we’ve been doing wrong that have been putting us in adverse situations.”‘

‘However, we will probably never find out if Gregg Williams could have been a good coach in Buffalo, because I believe he has his hands tied, and has had too much of his power taken away.’

I saw a team lacking an identity on offense or defense, and as a result, lacking the fire and passion of a team that believes in itself and is committed to excellence.

Tom Donohoe did the right thing in giving his head coach the vote of confidence. Gregg Williams works for him. He gave him the public support he deserves. If Donohoe has a problem with the way his coach is doing his job, he’ll handle it the professional way. He’ll tell him about it in private and if he’s not satisfied, take care of it at the end of the season.

Coach: Rick Tomberlin; School: Washington County HS; City: Sandersville, GA

BOOMER ESIASON: With the bye week now on hand, this team needs to straighten itself out quickly. The Bills are 4-4, but with the Dolphins, Patriots, Colts, Giants and Cowboys on the schedule, this could end up being the most over-hyped and under-performing team in the NFL. Reputations don’t win games.

“Nevertheless, Bledsoe does need to play much better if the Bills are to have any hope of reaching the playoffs”

‘”I’m pleased with all of our coaches, I really am,” Donahoe said. “I’m pleased with the fact they’re together. I’m pleased with the fact they’re working hard. I’m pleased with the fact they’re trying to find out, “OK, we’ve got eight games in. We’ve got a lot of tape, information. Let’s take this week, see what are we doing wrong.’ . . . That’s what you do as a good coach and a good staff, and I’m pleased with that.”‘

‘I think a midseason switch, in their view, is much more a case of giving up on the season than trying to save it. If Williams were fired, assistant head coach Dick LeBeau would be the obvious interim replacement. He has the experience. He’s a good man. But LeBeau lived through the interim experience in 2000 in Cincinnati. I’m certain he would advise holding off on a change as long as possible.’

‘”I understand you guys (the media) have a job to do and that’s part of your job. But it doesn’t go on here. We don’t sit around all day after a bad game and say, ‘OK, who’s fault was this?’ We lost as a team the other day. As a TEAM. Two weeks ago against Washington, we won as a team. And that really is our approach to everything in this building.”‘