Two Bills Drive

‘Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe isn’t about to concede, but he admitted the mood on the practice field and in the locker room has changed dramatically. "Obviously, guys aren’t laughing and joking as much as we were a week ago. The mood isn’t as light," Bledsoe said, referring last Sunday’s crushing 27-17 defeat at New England, Buffalo’s fourth loss in its last five games. "When you get in a situation like this, you find out a lot about the guys on your team," Bledsoe said. "So far, I can say everyone on the team has responded the right way."’

‘Snow is the forecast for Sunday. Temperatures in the low 30’s. Football weather. The Chargers are not used to football weather playing in the plush confines of sunny San Diego. This is the test of their meddle, the test of their will, the stumbling block that could dim their playoff hopes or help then take the next step towards success.’

Gregg Williams, Buffalo: There continues to be rumbling that he might be in trouble if the Bills don’t finish at .500. Those rumors are unsubstantiated, and while some of his decision-making can be scrutinized, he figures to have a playoff contender by 2003. Of course, if he doesn’t then he might have some concerns.

Security level: 3 (Secure … for now)

‘It doesn’t get any easier for the Bills, two weeks after giving up 228 yards rushing to Williams in a win over Miami, and four weeks after allowing Holmes 104 yards in a loss to Kansas City.’

‘Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer said that wide receiver Curtis Conway, who has missed the last two and a half games with a shoulder injury, and starting right tackle Vaughn Parker, who has been out for four games with an elbow injury, both returned to practice on Wednesday. Conway and Parker were both listed as questionable on the Chargers’ official injury report.’

"We’re still a work in progress," Gilbride cautioned last week when asked if the 3-13 Bad News Bills of a year ago were on the verge of becoming the NFL’s next Greatest Show on Turf. "We have a lot of young, talented guys, and if this unit stays together, it could become something really special. But we’re not there yet. We still have a ways to go."

‘At first, there are no real surprises about these characters. But as Bellows tackles the game, “Second String” quickly makes one touchdown after another in writing and acting.’

Orchard Park, NY – The Bills today announced that the team has added offensive lineman Joey Hollenbeck to the team’s practice squad.

A native of Enumclaw, WA, Hollenbeck played collegiately at Washington State. He signed as a rookie free agent with the St. Louis Rams last spring but was released prior to the start of training camp.

Hollenbeck replaces offensive lineman Michael Early, who was claimed off the Bills practice squad by Minnesota.

Jennings, Jonas T Leg Questionable

Stevenson, Dominique LB Head Questionable

For the season, Brian Moorman is averaging 43.82 yards per punt (ranks 3rd in team history). In 19 of 29 career contests, he has at least one 50-yard kick and 30 of his 130 career punts (23.1%) have forced opponents inside the 20 (8th all-time in Bills history).

‘Hollenbeck, released by the St. Louis Rams prior to training camp last summer, fills the spot vacated by center Michael Early, who was signed by the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday.’

‘…Peerless has been a heck of a receiver for this team this year. He’s over a thousand yards. Will he be too expensive to keep? Probably, although the Bills salary cap circumstance isn’t as bad next year. Still, Josh Reed has proven that he can be a nice compliment to Eric Moulds and the Bills need money to improve their defense. It’ll be a tough call for Tom Donahoe, I’m sure he doesn’t want to bust up what could be a very good thing, but Reed is ready.’

‘So Buffalo has learned that Bledsoe isn’t perfect. Then again, he isn’t Rob Johnson, either.’

‘Fourteen of the AFC’s 16 teams are still mathematically alive for the playoffs. That includes the Buffalo Bills, who need a lot of help.’

‘The Bills have allowed fewer than 17 points only once this season and more than 20 points in all but three games. Only the Bengals are allowing more points per game.’