Two Bills Drive

‘Shockey aggravated the injury Monday before a 19-13 loss to the Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., putting the knee through a hard workout after being told he was not going to play by coach Jim Fassel. “I think we overdid it,” Fassel said. “There was some swelling.”‘

‘Had Spikes not shuffled off to Buffalo, then defensive tackle John Thornton, middle linebacker Kevin Hardy and James – three defensive gems – wouldn’t be here. And the Bengals wouldn’t be sitting on top of the AFC North Division with a 6-5 record.’

‘Shockey left his knee brace off during his self-imposed workout before the game, so there was nothing to protect his sprained posterior cruciate ligament. “I thought I could play last week and got the word I wasn’t going to,” Shockey said. “I went out there and did some stupid things that right now I’m kind of regretting.”‘

‘He let practice on Wednesday feeling dizzy and sick. He saw a neurologist who said he was fine. Bledsoe still had headaches on Thursday and didn’t practice. He told me that he expects to work on Friday and expects to play Sunday against the Giants. He’s been added to the injury report as probable.’

‘He’s bothered by headaches and nausea and left practice early Wednesday. He did not practice on Thursday.’

‘Bledsoe is reportedly suffering from the after effects of a concussion that occurred when he was kneed in the back of the helmet at the end of a run in Sunday’s 17-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.’

”’I wouldn’t say I’m in a slump,” said Toomer, who caught 13 passes for 305 yards, a 23.5-yard average, and scored two TDs in the first three games of the season, two of which the Giants won. ”A slump is I am not getting open. I’m getting open. I’m getting in the right position. I’m just not finishing plays.”’

Buffalo Bills QB Drew Bledsoe is experiencing headaches and nausea after sustaining a mild concussion (on Sunday), but is hopeful he will play against the New York Giants this weekend. Bledsoe did not participate in Thursday’s practice, and was added to Buffalo’s injury report. He is listed as probable and has a 75 percent chance of playing when the Bills travel to play at the Meadowlands on Sunday.

‘Henry was still wondering, 11 games into the season, why the Bills didn’t run the ball after supposedly changing their philosophy during the offseason. “That was the plan. I thought that was the plan,” Henry said. “Bringing Sam (Gash) in here, you would think that was the direction we would have (gone). Losing Peerless and Jay Riemersma and running the stuff we run now, it’s kind of hard without big playmakers like that in here.”‘

‘”I know the projects,” Williams said last week. “I know everybody. Everybody knows me.”‘

‘Q: Why wouldn’t the Bills consider converting Willis McGahee to a wide receiver? It would provide the Bills with a speed receiver, erase their need to spend a high pick on a receiver in April, and it would allow the Bills to have Travis Henry and McGahee on the field at the same time. – Kevin Hartnett, York, Pa.

A: This is an original idea . . . but not a good one. Players should play at their best position. Based on his college career, McGahee could be a great running back if healthy. With years of practice he’d be lucky to be a mediocre receiver.’

‘”There’s a lot of things that we could have been doing early in the season, but we weren’t, so it’s got to come to a point where you have to point the finger at somebody. We have the right type of players, so I don’t know.”‘

‘Now in his fifth season, Winfield has always been a dynamic, conscientious team player who, after putting together a season worthy of the Pro Bowl, was justified in letting off some steam at this late juncture. After all, he’s been making big play after big play (99 tackles, 8 for losses, 9 passes defended, 1 sack, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles) this season, only to watch his offensive teammates not come through.’

‘”It’s hot when you get here,” he said. “In five of the seven seasons I’ve been here, I’ve been on the hot seat. And (the Yankees’) Joe Torre is the only coach/manager that’s lasted longer than I have in this town.”‘

‘”When we went to the Super Bowl everything was great, you’re a genius,” he said of the Giants’ 34-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the title game three seasons back.’