Two Bills Drive

”’Our records are pretty close to even,” said Belichick. ”He’s made plenty of good plays. He’s a good player.”’

‘The Patriots are expected to use the same five offensive linemen in Buffalo Sunday for the second straight game. Mike Compton and Woody will continue to rotate at center/left guard depending upon whether it’s a shotgun situation, Joe Andruzzi is back at right guard, and Kenyatta Jones appears to be holding on at right tackle.’

‘The Bills, who are 16th in the league against the pass, appear especially vulnerable in the secondary as starting cornerback Antoine Winfield will miss a third consecutive game following arthroscopic surgery Oct. 18 to repair torn cartilage in his right knee.’

‘. The Pats have given up big plays and small ones. They’ve been porous against the run while the secondary (particularly Smith and Buckley) have been hit for several long gains.’

‘“He had to be prepared for that, that’s what it’s all about. You have to be prepared in case your number is called. He went out and did the job knowing other people were depending on him and did real well.”’

‘Bledsoe has the two leading receivers in yardage in the AFC. Bledsoe has the fourth-leading rusher. Bledsoe has the home field. Bledsoe has the momentum. Bledsoe has the emotion. Bledsoe has motivation, and his teammates want nothing more than to win one for Drew. Belichick has O-T-I-S and other assorted problems. Edge: Bills.’

‘Use your imagination. Picture what New England’s season would be like today if Belichick had asked Bledsoe to stick around and the quarterback had swallowed his pride and done so.’

‘“I’ve got a bunch of receivers – not just Eric and Peerless, but Josh Reed and Jay Riemersma, Larry Centers out of the backfield, Travis Henry, a bunch of guys who when I drop back to pass, I know can all make plays for me.”’

‘Ch. 38 has a Brady-Bledsoe “Showdown in Buffalo” special at 7 tomorrow night and ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio has Bledsoe address his 2001 Pats’ ordeal and Buffalo rebirth on “NFL Countdown” at 11 a.m. Sunday.’

‘It was less than two months ago that it looked like Ted Johnson was finished as a viable member of the Patriots. Now he could be one of the players instrumental in turning around the team’s fortunes.’

‘He’s been good — even great — before. But never was he this good for this long. Why? "Because he’s gotten off his (butt) and probably gotten himself in a little better shape," theorized Paul Zimmerman of Sports Illustrated. "Guys like him. They don’t think he’s a chicken (expletive). I don’t think there’s a secret formula. He decided he’s at a crossroads. He could either let it go down the dumper or make something of the situation."’

‘Otis Smith, who has handled that job for the Patriots for the last three years, continues to have problems with an arm injury, coach Bill Belichick said yesterday. Smith is listed as questionable on the injury report, meaning he has a 50 percent chance of playing Sunday in Buffalo. Belichick indicated Smith would have problems trying to play in his current condition.’

‘"It’s totally different," Moulds said. "He gives you the freedom to say what you feel, but when it’s time for him to talk and call the play, it’s totally quiet [in the huddle]. Back in the day, last year, everyone was arguing and fussing. Give me an opportunity to make a play for you, and it’s fun."’

‘The Patriots are going to have a hard time slowing down these two even if Smith plays, but it’ll be no picnic if Antwan Harris, Ben Kelly or Terrell Buckley has to start in his place.’

‘"I played against Travis in college and he was a good back in college and he’s even better now," said defensive lineman Richard Seymour, who graduated from Georgia two years ago. "He adds another dimension to their offense, he’s a quick slashing runner. They don’t run him that much, but when he runs they’re effective."’