Two Bills Drive

‘Washington projected Dockery as a first-round pick, but his stock tumbled partly because of his poor condition during predraft workouts, and the Redskins were thrilled to select him with the 81st pick overall. Dockery entered training camp at approximately 350 pounds, but he has dropped to 340 pounds, not far from his ideal weight of 330-335.’

‘”Of course I’m happy,” Spurrier replied yesterday. “We’ve got a good team, we haven’t played extremely well the last couple of games. But I think we’re ready to play in Buffalo.”‘

‘Meanwhile, running back Trung Canidate was officially declared out for the Buffalo game with a high right ankle sprain. Canidate hopes to return following the bye week. Ladell Betts will start at tailback and receive the bulk of Washington’s rushing attempts. “He very well could carry a whole bunch if we’re making yards,” coach Steve Spurrier said. “He’s slated to get more action. Ladell’s our man.”‘

‘Canidate leads the Redskins with 295 rushing yards and a 4.8 average this season, but Ladell Betts has also seen plenty of action and will start Sunday.’

‘“We knew it was special,” Smith said of those four years. “But I don’t think we quite knew it was as special as people talk about it nowadays. So many teams are going to the Super Bowl for one time and then disappear. Then players look around and see how hard it was to get there. Others have been in the league for five or 10 years and have never been close.”’

‘Prediction: Redskins 17 Bills 26.’

‘Starting defensive tackle Sam Adams (sprained right ankle) also took part in Friday’s practice but saw no change from his questionable status. Linebacker Takeo Spikes was listed as probable after sitting out of practice ill.’

‘”Right now whatever can go wrong has been going wrong,” said offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. “I’m very disappointed. We’re not playing very well. There’s a lot of reasons you can point to but none of them matter. The only thing that matters is we’re not playing well enough to win. That’s the bottom line.”‘

‘”I’ve been competing in practice and I continue to work hard,” Reese said. “When a starting opportunity presented itself I wanted to make the most of it each game and each play.”‘

‘Gash is not one to complain. His position dictates that he put team goals ahead of personal desires. He only wants to help his team win. “I’d love to be on the field more, and as a competitor, it’s frustrating when I’m not,” he said. “For whatever reason, game situations haven’t called for it.”‘

‘Williams is at best a lame duck, at worst a dead duck.’

‘During this season’s 3-3 beginning, the trend has continued. The Redskins are 2-0 in games when they attempted more runs than passes (beat the Jets and Patriots) and 1-3 when they passed more than they ran (beat the Falcons, lost to the Giants, Eagles and Buccaneers).’

‘If Eric Moulds, the Bills’ standout wide receiver, returns from a groin injury, he likely would be Bailey’s assignment for most of Sunday’s game. That would leave Bauman usually covering one of Buffalo’s less-proven wide receivers, Josh Reed or Bobby Shaw.’

‘Fiore started the first three games of the season but has been sidelined since because of discomfort in his knee, on which he underwent surgery last year. Rookie Derrick Dockery will make his fourth straight start at left guard in place of Fiore on Sunday at Buffalo, with Lennie Friedman ready to step in if Dockery falters.’

‘”He’s still in his second year in the league, so he’s not as seasoned,” Catavolos said. “But he studies as well as anybody. He understands the defense. And he’s got an outstanding competitive nature. No matter what we ask him to do, this guy’s a tireless worker.”‘