Two Bills Drive

‘So are we supposed to believe that Joe Burns and Bobby Shaw will go point for point with Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James and – if he’s healthy – Harrison and the rest of the Colts’ offensive machine? Right. And Jerry Springer is going to win an Emmy.’

‘All five home games at the Ralph this season have been sellouts. This Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts will also fill the house, if not close. After that, there are no guarantees. Even worse, what does the organization have to sell next year?’

‘Harrison could return to the lineup against the Bills. He ran Monday morning — “That was encouraging,” said Dungy — and might return to practice on Friday. “If he does,” added Dungy, “he’s got a chance to play.”‘

‘A videotape review of the Colts’ 38-31 victory over the New York Jets was responsible for Dungy’s improved outlook. He watched the Colts hold the visitors to 10 points during the first half and shut them out during the fourth quarter. Of course the interim got pretty ugly.’

‘Jones, a product of Southwest High School who went on to play for North Carolina and later spent six seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recently retired from the ranks of the professional level after being waived by the Buffalo Bills in September. Jones was placed on injured reserve while rehabilitating a knee injury after being signed by the Bills.’

‘Unfortunately for the Bills, the race is already over, the battle already lost. With a 4-6 record and a schedule that includes teams who are a combined 37-23, it would take a minor miracle for the Bills to make the playoffs. In fact, the team leaders have just about given up hope on that goal.’

‘Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride continues to drag the entire staff down.’

‘CB Nate Clements had a miserable game against Houston. He was one of three Bills who missed a tackle on Andre Johnson’s 46-yard catch-and-run TD, he missed an open-field tackle on a quick screen to Johnson that resulted in a 42-yard gain that set up a Houston field goal, and he had a personal foul penalty that kept alive another Houston field goal drive. Add it up and Clements was involved in every point Houston scored.’

‘Truth is though, part of his anger should be directed at the guy in the mirror, because among the finalists he considered for the Bills top coaching spot three years ago are two of the current NFL coach of the year candidates, John Fox at Carolina and Marvin Lewis at Cincinnati.’

‘We have no idea whether our team will score again. But we can promise that Peyton Manning and the Colts will score touchdowns this week, and it’s very likely that the Jets and Miami will score some points in the other two home games. We know you are football fans, so keep supporting us, even though we may never score again.’

‘The Colts have won four of the past five meetings. Prior to that, Buffalo had taken seven of the past eight contests.’

Veteran Tony Banks will get his second start of the season Sunday against New England. Carr was injured late in the first quarter of Sunday’s 12-10 victory at Buffalo when Bills linebacker Jeff Posey came free for a sack, driving Carr’s throwing shoulder into the turf. Center Todd Washington prevented a touchdown by sweeping the ball out of bounds for a safety after Carr fumbled.

‘Buffalo has gone 190 minutes and 24 seconds of game time since last reaching the end zone on Travis Henry’s 14-yard run in the fourth quarter of a 24-7 win over Washington on Oct. 19.’

‘“All I remember is the yellow sign and the embankment. And the next thing I know is I’m talking to a lady,” said Williams of an unidentified passer-by.’

‘To coach Tony Dungy, the Colts are using a formula that seems custom-made for winning: play hard, take advantage of opportunities, and find different ways and different people to finish the job.’