Two Bills Drive

‘In the end, Buffalo beat New England 31-0 – the worst season-opening loss in Patriots’ history – and the game really wasn’t that close.’

‘The Patriots insisted Milloy’s departure and consequent signing with Buffalo was not a distraction this week, that they had moved on. Well, he was certainly a distraction on the field.’

‘"It was important for us to hold them to no points," said defensive tackle Sam Adams. "Because if you hold them to no points, we can win every game."’

‘” When the ball is thrown and a 370-pound defensive tackle picks it out of the air and runs it into the end zone, things were going our way.”‘

‘On Sunday, this good-looking-on-paper Bills defense became good to the touch, putting action behind all those words.’

‘Bills LB Takeo Spikes: How about that for a debut? Two interceptions, a pass deflection when he leveled Troy Brown on a play over the middle, enough raw energy and emotion to light up the dark side of the moon. He is exactly what the Bills have lacked since the departure of Cornelius Bennett – a playmaking linebacker.’

‘Intercepted four times, Brady finished with a 20.4 passing efficiency rating.’

‘” Having my name called out and getting the fans going with my hand thrusts, it felt like I had always been here, my whole career,” Milloy said. ” At that point, I knew that I was going to be OK. I was playing football for fans that really appreciate it. I was in an atmosphere where they make the player feel like he is needed and not the other way around.”‘

‘Week 1 couldn’t have been better for the Bills. Not only did they crush New England 31-0, but Miami, New England and the New York Jets all lost and looked lousy in the process.’

‘With the 500-pound Belichick gorilla off his back, Gregg Williams had a bounce in his step. Smart game plans by Kevin Gilbride, Jerry Gray and Dick LeBeau helped Bills turned tide on Patriots, who dominated both meetings a year ago.’

‘Yes, the forecast is for 10 victories and a playoff spot for the Bills and, though I do so with some hesitation, I admit to joining the believers who see a return to the playoffs and a contract extension for Williams.’

‘”What we said from Day 1 is that our team has to get better around (Bledsoe),” said Bills coach Gregg Williams. “Drew just has to play quarterback. As a team, last year we weren’t good enough.”‘

‘In the team’s walk-through on Saturday, Bills coach Gregg Williams asked Milloy how many downs he could play. “He looked me in the eye and said, ‘I want to play in every one of them,’ ” Williams said. “That’s all I needed to know.”‘

‘A win in the first game of a treacherous 16-game NFL season isn’t any reason to get overly enthused. But give this bunch some leeway – and some credit.’

‘The Bills opened their season with a 31-0 shutout of the New England Patriots on a day when floating beach balls and shirtless patrons seemed appropriate for the balmy weather. It started with a star-spangled display that included a giant American flag, chants of “U-S-A, U-S-A” from the 73,262 in attendance and a military fly-over that nearly skimmed the light stanchions.’