Two Bills Drive

‘MSM Sports Marketing Group has signed on handle sponsorships for Thurman Thomas Racing, the business venture launched by the former Buffalo Bills running back.’

‘"When you play in this league, every team that you go up against is so good," quarterback Drew Bledsoe said. "You’re going to lose games through the course of the year. That happens. But the thing we have to focus on is going back and correcting the things we made mistakes on. That’s where we have to put our focus. I think we’ve got enough veteran guys that we’re going to respond the right way to this loss. It’s a disappointing loss because it was a big game for us. But we’re going to come back and go to work and correct the things that we made mistakes on."’

‘"I try not to go out there and get too excited, I just try and hit the ball easy and not swing too hard," Moorman said. "If I stick with that, I’ll be fine."’

‘"Miami controlled the clock, and Buffalo’s offense never got into a rhythm," Eagles linebacker Ike Reese said Monday, as the Birds reconvened. "To me, that’s a little bit of a blueprint of the way to beat those guys. You’ve got to control the clock, because if their offense gets enough chances, they’re going to put points on the board."’

‘Injuries are decimating the Bills’ backfield. Backup running back Sammy Morris will miss at least two weeks after surgery Monday to repair a hernia, and backup fullback Phil Crosby cracked his fibula against Miami. With Henry questionable for Sunday, the Bills are slated to announce today whether they will sign another tailback this week.’

‘What Reese saw on TV on Sunday was both encouraging and concerning. After scoring 69 points while winning in its first two games – including a mauling of the same Patriots team that handled the Eagles – Buffalo suffered a 17-7 loss to Miami. ”They’re definitely beatable,” Reese said. ”After the first two weeks, they looked like world-beaters, headed for the Super Bowl.”’

‘"I can’t say enough about the people here," Modrak said. "Obviously Tom and I know each other well and that makes for a comfortable situation. But Greg (head coach Williams) is good to work with, and I can’t say enough about (owner) Ralph Wilson. He’s an old-school guy who wants to win. You tell him what you want to do, and he says, `If it’s going to work, do it.’ "’

‘”It’s a long season,” Bills fullback Sam Gash said. “We have 13 more games to play, so we’re going to watch the film and correct our mistakes and move on. We got Philly this week, so that’s what we’re going to do.”‘

‘"Buffalo never got a chance to get into a rhythm," Reese said. "They were out there, and the big plays weren’t there for them. Miami’s defense was fresh the whole night, and they were able to get after those guys."’

‘"All I did was jump up and down all day after we beat San Diego," Janik said. "We all had a good game. We whipped the dog out of them."’

‘Sunday’s game could be a prime opportunity for the Eagles to get their running game going. Miami’s Ricky Williams rushed for 153 yards on 42 carries against the Bills, wearing down the defense and showing they’re vulnerable against the run. ”I’m going to try and make something happen,” Buckhalter said. ”Of course, I feel like if I’m in the game I can make something happen.”’

‘"We were really focused," said Surtain. "We were hearing it all the last couple of weeks that [the defensive backs] had lost it and the D-line not getting pressure. We took it as a challenge. For those guys in Buffalo to come out and talk some junk about that they wished that we played man-to-man and they would embarrass us, we took it personal because we’ve got some great players on our defense."’

‘Sometimes losses can be good. It’s called a reality check. The Bills were given the ultimate reality check by their arch rivals. Now the question becomes how will they respond.’

‘Hopefully, Bledsoe’s nightmare game was an aberration.’

‘”When they do that,” Bledsoe said of the Dolphins’ emphasis on stopping the run, “we’ve got to throw it more effectively that we did. “But we’ve also got to get our running game going.” And soon.’