Two Bills Drive

‘”The big thing is that when that player is called upon to make a play and it’s executed pretty well we have to go ahead and finish the play,” Williams said. “We did a pretty good job of selecting plays correctly [against Houston] but we didn’t finish those plays. We had some opportunities down there to finish them and put points on the board.”‘

‘Q: Is it true that a safety covering a wide receiver is a “mismatch”?

PP: That’s true from the offensive eyes. On defense we like to think that safety’s can cover anybody on the field as well as anyone else. On offensive eyes they think it is a mismatch because they think corners cover better than safety’s. I think I can cover any receiver in the NFL.’

‘”Part of being a cohesive offensive line is the ability to fight through these type of things,” said Bills coach Gregg Williams. “The good lines are obviously talented, but they are also consistent and available week in and week out. When you look across the league at the offensive lines that are functioning at the highest level, you will see a significant number of starts in a row with those guys. That’s very vital for an offensive line.”‘

‘Many of Henry’s friends and family members have advised him against playing, fearing he could make the injury worse. But Henry is determined to be on the field Sunday.’

‘”No, not at all,” Spikes said. “If I had to do it 10 times over and even knowing we’d be at this point record-wise, I’d still do it. I had to believe what was best in my heart for Takeo. I love those guys (in Cincinnati) like brothers. I’ve spent more time with them than the guys here. I’m happy for them. But this is where I belong.”‘

‘Bledsoe. If he’s upright, he’s a threat, but he has been sacked 30 times, and that has had a huge impact on the Bills’ minus-11 takeaway-giveaway ratio, the league’s second-worst. Bledsoe is 11-5 as a starter against the Colts, with 25 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.’

‘After getting past their salary cap problems in 2001, the Bills went on a free agent shopping spree the past two years in hopes of building a defense. They added Pro Bowl SS Lawyer Milloy just days before this season. OLB Takeo Spikes arrived last off-season and MLB London Fletcher the year before. DT Sam Adams clogs the middle. It’s worked. The Bills are fourth in the NFL at 271.1 yards allowed per game and sixth in points allowed at 17.0 per game.’

‘If Colts players aren’t thrilled with hearing occasional boos in the RCA Dome, they should be glad they’re not in the Buffalo Bills’ shoes.’

‘”I know he’s had some adverse times as well, but he’s playing great football for them right now and the team is playing well around him.”‘

‘The last time the Colts ventured to Ralph Wilson Stadium, in 2001, they came away with a 30-14 victory — and one of the most unexpected plays in team history. Quarterback Peyton Manning scored on a 33-yard run, the longest of his career, in the second quarter. The touchdown snapped a 7-7 tie and started a string of 20 unanswered Indy points.’

‘Sunday’s game will feature two of the eight quarterbacks in NFL history who have thrown for 3,000 yards in at least five consecutive seasons. Peyton Manning (left), in his sixth season, has passed for at least 3,000 yards in five consecutive years. Bills QB Drew Bledsoe threw for 3,000 yards for seven seasons in a row (1994-2000) while with New England.’

‘Coach Gregg Williams remains optimistic Henry will play against the Colts. But Plan B is Burns, a second-year tailback who made the Bills roster as an undrafted rookie in 2002. He has averaged just 2.5 yards on 28 carries this season. In his brief career, Burns has rushed 33 times for 78 yards.’

‘”You could write a book,” said Champlin, the Colts’ director of player development and travel coordinator, “‘Where Are the Expletive-Deleted Buses?’ “‘

‘Hinton’s career with the Colts encompassed 94 games. He’s one of four individuals inducted in the team’s Ring of Honor at the RCA Dome.’

‘Talk about a new stadium has centered on affordability. Another question has been whether there are enough sponsors to fill more suites.’