Two Bills Drive

‘"It’s obvious we didn’t play a real good game, especially in the first half against the Texans, but we stepped it up in the second half and we’re going to have to build on that against the Dolphins."’

‘Buffalo Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe and Buffalo Sabres captain Stu Barnes will be special guests tonight as West Valley Nuclear Services Co. hosts a gathering of area business leaders at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The goal is to get more businesses involved in United Way fund-raising through direct corporate gifts and employee payroll deductions.’

”’They are going to get a guy who has been in the fire before, who has been a starting quarterback in this league, who is not afraid, who knows what to do,” the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ star receiver said Tuesday of his former teammate, who went 6-3 with the New York Jets in 1999."

‘A source said Tuesday that receiver Oronde Gadsden, who sprained his right wrist in Sunday’s win at Denver, is ”very doubtful” to play. Gadsden flew to Dallas on Tuesday, and will be there today to have a second opinion on his swollen wrist, and to see if he can play with the injury for the remainder of the season. He is not expected to practice this week.’

‘The Bills bring only a 3-3 record against the Dolphins on Sunday. Their defense is horrible and their kickoff coverage was gouged for 96- and 98-yard touchdown returns against the Jets. Yet that only makes Bledsoe’s performance this year more remarkable.’

‘It’s still not known whether Chambers will play Sunday against Buffalo.’

‘Dickenson was signed as third quarterback because Jay Fiedler is out with a broken thumb, Ray Lucas has been elevated to starter and Sage Rosenfels is the backup.’

‘In wins against New England and Denver, Taylor has 12 tackles, four sacks and two forced fumbles.’

‘Dave Dickenson, who spent a year in Norv Turner’s offense in San Diego, was named the Dolphins’ third-string quarterback while Jay Fiedler recuperates from right thumb surgery.’

‘Mr. Automatic has been human, missing 4 of his 13 attempts this season, including a 48-yarder in the first half of Sunday’s game against Denver. But with the game on the line, Dolphins players said there is no one they would rather have kicking for them.’

‘But this year is different. "We’re finally getting some breaks this year," Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas said. "We’ve never had many breaks in the past."’

‘Bledsoe has two wideouts, Peerless Price and Eric Moulds, who have combined for 88 catches already and who are better than anything Brady has had to throw to since Troy Brown was injured in Week 3. Bledsoe has a better tight end, better pass-catching backs (including Larry Centers, the most prolific pass-catching back ever) and a much better lead running back in Travis Henry.’

‘But this was a trap game, if ever there was one.’

‘For instance, with 18 sacks in six games, the Bills are fourth in the NFL behind Carolina (25), San Diego and Tampa Bay (both 19). And, amazingly, Buffalo is second in the AFC in defensing third downs.’

Jay Riemersma and Antoine Winfield among the players that will be out in the community on Tuesday.