Two Bills Drive

‘Thursday’s practice was outdoors, to get the Lions ready for the cool environment for Sunday’s game in Orchard Park, N.Y.’

‘Q. What about Harrington? As a veteran defensive player, what do you see in him? A. A guy learning every day. He enjoys playing. He doesn’t panic. He’ll come up and ask me, "What would you look for if you were playing against me?" You talk to him about those things. He’s learning at an amazing pace. He’s a football player.’

‘"I eat the same pre-game meal," Banta said. "I have pancakes, even if it’s a night game."’

‘That’s how many consecutive road games the Lions have lost. Based on available research, they will set the franchise record if they lose at Buffalo on Sunday.’

‘What’s impressive is how quickly the linemen have jelled, considering injuries prevented them from playing together until Buffalo’s final preseason game.’

‘Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson Jr. and his wife, Mary, have made a $500,000 donation to The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care in Cheektowaga.’

The Bills-Lions game this Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium is sold out and will be televised locally. Including this Sunday’s contest with Detroit, all four home games so far in 2002 have been soldout in time to meet the blackout deadline.

‘The Lions have to pressure Bledsoe, even if it means blitzing on every down and leaving themselves open to the long bomb. If a team sits back, Bledsoe will tear it apart.’

‘”We start to need fast to get our fans involved."’

‘Detroit picked the wrong team in the wrong place at the wrong time. Buffalo 31 – Detroit 20.

‘"It was good,” Lions fullback Cory Schlesinger said of Millen’s talk. "Anytime something like that comes up in the newspapers, it’s a good idea for him to address us and explain the situation."’

‘"It was right when I was going through all the high school recruiting,” Harrington said. "Drew Bledsoe was very kind and very generous. He gave me advice. Of course, he was leaning toward Washington State. But I know that still sticks out in the minds of both my brothers. They thought very highly of him."’

Three hundred Bills fans from all over the metro New York City area gathered in McFaddens Pub on East 42nd Street in Manhattan to watch the Bills "squish the fish"

The Bills have faced the Lions just six times since the series started in 1972 and Detroit leads 3 games to 2 with one tie. Detroit's last visit to Ralph Wilson Stadium was in 1997 when Buffalo posted a 22-13 win.

"Gregg (Williams) is doing a great job with this team. His messages to the team, on a weekly basis, are right on. Our attention to detail during the week and our preparation during the week has been outstanding. Gregg has done an outstanding job, particularly since I've been here.