Two Bills Drive

‘The Raiders are one of several teams faking substitutes to confuse the defense, and this week the NFL office sent out a memo reminding coaches that such a ploy was against the rules. It is considered unsportsmanlike conduct; a team is supposed to be warned the first time it happens in a game and penalized 15 yards the next time. Officials apparently have not been vigilant about enforcing the rule, however, but they will be looking for it in today’s games.’

‘Woodson, the Raiders’ brand-new 37-year-old free safety, is in the midst of an unprecedented run of good fortune. In the second game of the season, against Pittsburgh, he tied an NFL record by recovering three fumbles. In the third game, last Sunday against Tennessee, he intercepted three passes.’

‘”He’s come into Buffalo and brought a renewed sense of confidence to that team,” Gannon said. “With him, they feel like anything’s possible. They’re going to be in each game, with a chance to win each week. That’s a real compliment to him and the way he’s played each week and the confidence the guys have in him. It’s very apparent when you watch the film.”‘

‘Don’t be surprised if: This game develops into a shootout, with the team that has the ball last winning.’

‘What the Bills, still one of the youngest teams in the league, can’t match in experience they hope to make up for with intensity, confidence, talent and a home field. The Raiders are 5-13 all-time in Buffalo.’

‘”Young players that are lazy as far as football goes. I’ve seen so many guys who have twice the athletic ability that I have that are too lazy to work hard enough to make it in this league. They could probably play 15 years and they end up playing two.”‘

‘Bob Casullo, a former Brockport State star running back and former recruiting coordinator for Syracuse University, is in his third season as Oakland’s special teams coach.’

‘”I really don’t think people are going to appreciate how mind-boggling Jerry’s achievements are until he hangs ’em up,” Centers says. “He’s going to put some of these things so far out of reach it isn’t going to be funny.”‘

‘"It’s always a little special going against a guy that’s as hot as Rich Gannon is and who plays the game the way that he does," Bledsoe admitted. "You know that it presents a challenge because it’s a lot to ask of your defense to hold an offense like theirs down the whole game. You know you have to go out and take advantage of your opportunities a little bit more. "That being said, I can’t really control what he does, I can only control what we do. And we are going to try to score every time we have the ball."’

‘What he’s been doing is staying out of the way … and that’s not meant as a joke.’

‘”What I tell our players is to take care of our own business. If you go out and physically dominate your opponent, you shouldn’t have to come down to a situation where it comes down to one play … where the referees decision has an effect on the outcome of the game. It is unfortunate what happened, but we have to carry on.”‘

‘”I think this team has the potential… we have the talent to get it done. Now we have to go out and prove it.”‘

The Bills, of course, have unleashed the no-huddle too. After watching Drew Bledsoe demolish defenses in September, no NFL team is going to feel safe with a lead against the Bills. Especially when they know that, at any point in time, Buffalo could spring into that high-speed attack. “We wouldn't hesitate to use it,” head coach Gregg Williams said of the no-huddle. “Anytime.”

Oakland Raiders: OUT – CB Charles Woodson (shoulder); QUESTIONABLE – DT Roderick Coleman (ankle/knee), G Mo Collins (knee), RB Randy Jordan (groin), T Lincoln Kennedy (concussion/foot); PROBABLE – WR James Jett (knee). Buffalo Bills: PROBABLE – RB Travis Henry (knee); TE Jay Riemersma (ankle)

Whether Buffalo is a serious contender in its division remains to be seen but since Bledsoe has come aboard, having the Bills on your schedule is no longer equivalent of having a bye week.