Two Bills Drive

‘Playing in Denver’s thin air is a problem all visiting teams face when they play the Broncos and — outside of traveling to Denver early in the week to practice there — there’s no way to prepare for it.’

‘Broncos 38, Bills 20 – There could be plenty of offensive fireworks, but the Bills defense probably can’t match Denver’s.’

‘Buffalo Bills wide receiver Josh Reed was selected as the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for his performance in last Sunday’s overtime win over the Vikings.’

Voters on NFL.com have made their choice. Wide receiver Josh Reed of the Buffalo Bills is the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for games played on Week 2 (Sept. 15-16).

‘”I really admire the fact that Danny Smith had said, ‘We’re playing the varsity squad this year because we’ve got a varsity kicker now. We’re going to try some long attempts,”‘ Hollis said. “Obviously, that shows a lot of trust in me from Danny.”‘

‘Right tackle Mike Williams slightly hyperextended his left knee during Buffalo Bills practice Thursday, but is expected to play at Denver this weekend.’

‘Here was a quarterback of his caliber, with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove, available for the price of a first-round pick. I was blown away.’

‘Charles Schumer has thrown down the chicken wing in defense of Buffalo. Our senior senator took umbrage Monday when he heard Jay Leno joke that the best way to punish the five men arrested last week on terrorism charges is to let them die of boredom there. Jumping to the snowy city’s defense, Schumer has invited the Boston chin to the Nov. 3 Bills-Patriots game. The challenge: If the Bills win, Leno tapes a show in Buffalo. If they lose, he and his band get a bucket of Buffalo’s fabled chicken wings. Alas, the comic is scheduled to perform in Minneapolis that day. But Leno assures us, “I’ve been to Buffalo many times and I actually like it, especially during the two summer days when it is actually warm.”‘

‘The OHS football prgram will receive a check for $1,000 from NFL Charities and the Bills’ Youth Foundation. Coach Kane will receive a certificate signed by President/GM Tom Donahoe and head coach Gregg Williams and he will be a guest of the Bills on Sunday, Dec. 15 for the game against San Diego, where he will participate in pre-game ceremonies on he field with all 11 weekly winners. A “Coach of the Year” will be announced on that date as well.’

‘”Every penny counts,” Kelly said. “I don’t care what it is. It’s good that people are here are willing to lend a hand and support us.” It’s all part of Kelly’s crusade. All in the name of Hunter.’

Reed finished with 41.4% of the 32,847 total votes and received more than twice as many votes as the nearest competitor. The other four finalists and their final vote percentages were Carolina DE Julius Peppers (18.2%), San Diego LB Ben Leber (also 18.2%), New Orleans WR Donte Stallworth (13.0%) and NY Giants TE Jeremy Shockey (8.7%).

‘The Broncos rushed for 201 yards against a good San Francisco defense in a 24-14 road win last Sunday. The Bills allowed 213 rushing yards in their overtime win at Minnesota.’

‘Hollis already has kicked three field goals from beyond 50 yards in the first two weeks, tying the team record for most 50-yard-plus kicks in a season. Steve Christie booted three in 1992 and ’99.’

‘"If you look historically at the teams that have won championships, they’ve had a good degree of balance," Bledsoe said on Wedne-sday. "Even the Rams with all their success, you look at what they’re actually doing and a lot of it is predicated on the fact that they’ve got a great threat at running back in Marshall Faulk."’

‘Teague was drafted by the Broncos, played his first four NFL seasons there, started 20 games and learned a ton. He doesn’t harbor ill will that Denver coach Mike Shanahan let him sign with the Bills as a free agent. Teague said it was difficult leaving. "Sure it was," he said. "I have friends there, I was comfortable, had a great coaching staff. Everything was difficult about it, but I just felt like my best decision was to come here."’