Two Bills Drive

‘Just when Lucas seems comfortable behind center, Fiedler returned to the practice field Wednesday and, after taking snaps on the side and participating in several quarterback drills, announced his arm strength at “85 to 90 percent.”‘

‘”You’ll get that chilly lake effect and snow. I don’t mind playing in the cold,” said fullback Rob Konrad, who went to college at Syracuse, also in upstate New York. “You can run all day. It’ll be good football weather.”‘

‘Four years ago Baker was in the Red Eagle Honor Farm Prison, a maximum-security facility in Montgomery, Ala., after he was convicted of drug trafficking. He was given a 15-year sentence, served 10 months and was released on March 22, 1999. He remains on probation through the end of this year.’

‘”Right now I am thinking that he will definitely dress. It is just a matter of how good we feel by Friday and how much he can do. He definitely will not start.”‘

‘”We’re really taking the approach of get him out here today and tomorrow, let him run full speed, let him practice full speed, but really not have him in the heart of the game plan in the event that something would show up Friday and we would use up two days of practice and not be able to play (him),” Wannstedt said.’

‘They named the boy Tobin, which is Kathy’s maiden name. As for the middle name, there’s a football angle. It’s a tribute to former Buffalo kicker Scott Norwood, a Pro Bowl-caliber performer who is best remembered for missing a 47-yard field goal at the end of Super Bowl XXV that would have given the Bills a victory over the New York Giants on Jan.27, 1991.’

”’The way we’re playing, I don’t think we can beat anybody,” receiver Eric Moulds said Wednesday. ”I don’t think we’ve lost our confidence, but swagger, yeah,” added fellow receiver Peerless Price. ”We’ve been shut down, to put it bluntly.”’

”’You think of cold-weather games and sloppy fields, with the power running game being the most effective thing, and that’s Ricky’s game,” Dolphins fullback Rob Konrad said Wednesday.’

‘The Dolphins are 2-3 with Lucas as the starter but the wins have come in the last two games.’

‘Q: So was that really the worst quarterbacking performance in the history of professional football against the Bills last time? Lucas: If it wasn’t, it had to be pretty damn close.’

The Bills and Dolphins have played at least twice every season since 1966, with Miami holding a 47-29-1 overall series lead (46-26-1 in the reg. season). The home team has won 8 of the last 12 in the series and the club leading in turnovers has won 11 of past 12,

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Saturday, December 28

Minnesota Wild vs. Buffalo Sabres

Sunday, December 29

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Buffalo Bills

Even with the limited time to practice with his new teammates, Carlton led the Bills with seven carries (for 13 yards) in the first game; a 27-3 loss to the New York Titans. The following week in Buffalo’s home opener, a 27-21 loss to Denver, he made history in the second quarter when he scored the team’s first touchdown on a one-yard run.

‘The Bills have forced just 11 turnovers this season – six fumble recoveries and five interceptions – fewest in the NFL.’

‘Through 11 games, the Dolphins are second in overall defense in the AFC behind Denver, compared with third last season.’