Two Bills Drive

‘"It’s absolutely in the Bills’ court," Riemersma said this week as he prepared for the season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. "I’ve stated all along that I wanted to be here for my entire career. They’ve given me no indication that I won’t, either. But obviously you know what happened last offseason. So that’s a valid question."’

‘The two both said they probably won’t talk during the game. It’ll be all business. After the season is over, however, they’ll spend plenty of time together watching film and trying to get a little better. They’ve talked on the phone plenty this season, critiquing each other. Big brother has had plenty of advice for little brother, but not this week.’

‘Game keys for Bills…Score early and often. If the Bengals fall behind by a large margin, their interest level and focus will drop severely.’

‘Aaron is Buffalo’s right defensive end, meaning he lines up to Kitna’s left. As a tight end, Matt normally lines up on the right side of the offensive formation because most teams are right-handed. However, there will be situations when Matt will come in motion to the other side, and he will probably find himself swapping helmet paint with Aaron.’

‘They attended Columbus (Texas) High School together – Matt was a quarterback and Aaron was a defensive end and receiver – and played at Texas Christian University together. But that was then and this is, well, war. Sort of.’

”’I’m hoping they each have a good game,” said their mother, Donna Schobel. ”I won’t be rooting for either team.”’

‘It took awhile, but he reminded us that, at heart, Price remains Petulant Peerless.’

‘The 2-13 Bengals’ ineffectiveness has reached such depths that it isn’t even fashionable for Jay Leno – or any other comedian – to make fun of them anymore.’

‘”As the year winds down, every year you kind of get that nostalgic feeling that it could be it for you here. You just really never know what’s going to happen,” said Riemersma, one of just 12 players left from before general manager Tom Donahoe and coach Gregg Williams took charge in 2001. “I’m not concerned about that, though. I’m worried about beating the Bengals and helping out as much as I possibly can doing that.”‘

‘Matt, the Bengals’ rookie tight end, will be blocking Aaron on some running plays.’

Based on Williams’ performance, the Bills continue to have great hope that he’ll remain a fixture on an emerging and talented line that includes second-year left tackle Jonas Jennings and second-year right guard Marques Sullivan.

Although the Bills have given up no fewer than two sacks in each game, the offensive line has done a fine job this season and certainly has become a focal point for an optimistic future. Rookie ORT Mike Williams, second-year ORG Marques Sullivan and second-year OLT Jonas Jennings have all "steadily progressed," according to Bills OL coach Ronnie Vinklarek.

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The Bills and Bengals have met 18 times in regular season play and the series is all knotted up at nine wins per side. Buffalo has won four straight against Cincinnati, including the most recent game (33-20 at Cincy in 1998) and the last time they played in Orchard Park (31-17 in 1996).

It is difficult for me to find words to express the tremendous job that Tom Donahoe has done for the Bills in his short time in Buffalo. He came in under a terrible salary cap situation with veteran players being paid three times their market value and if he could suit up, he should go to the Pro Bowl!