Two Bills Drive

‘”I’m always happy. Anytime you see me I’ve usually always got a smile on my face.”‘

‘”This is the toughest team we’ve played in a long while,” Bills coach Gregg Williams said. “Mike Shanahan teams play with a toughness. They do a great job of controlling the line of scrimmage.”‘

‘Unfortunately for Buffalo, it has given up exactly as many points as it’s scored – 76 – and that ranks behind only winless Detroit (80) in league generosity.’

‘But most significantly, through early this season, Hollis has the best percentage among active kickers from 50 yards and beyond (13-of-18).’

‘And if there was any doubt about the esteem in which players held him, Abramoski is the only trainer in the history of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to present an individual for induction.’

‘You see, his parents, Russ and Lydia, make the drive here from East Syracuse for four or five games a season … and upon arrival at Ralph Wilson Stadium, they sit in pretty good seats. And all because their little boy, the vice president, has grown up to be a player. Yes, a player. With a big desk in a big-windowed office of a big-time sports franchise.’

‘When the Broncos kick off today’s game against the Buffalo Bills at Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver will be going against the most potent offense it has faced this season. More potent than St. Louis’. More potent than San Francisco’s. More potent than the Broncos could have imagined when the NFL released its 2002 schedule back in April.’

‘It’s the hottest trend in the NFL right now. It was born out of a defenses’ need to slow prolific passing teams. At its most basic, it works like this…’.

‘Brian Griese was booed during his home opener. The Denver Broncos were leading at the time and eventually beat defending NFC champion St. Louis. Drew Bledsoe was cheered during and after his Buffalo debut, even though the Bills blew it in overtime to the rival New York Jets.’

The Broncos have the NFL's No. 1 run defense, allowing an average of just 51.5 yards after two games. Making matters worse, the Broncos accomplished this against the 49ers and Rams, two teams that ranked second and fifth, respectively, in the NFL last season in yards rushing per game.

In all, the Bills & Broncos have met 30 times dating back to 1960. The Bills hold a 17-12-1 lead in the series but Denver has taken the last three meetings including a 23-20 overtime road win in 1997, the last time the two teams met. The Bills have not won in Denver since 1967.

‘"You can’t beat people with just speed in this league. I figured if Jonas can (stop me), so can other guys. I had to come up with something else. I knew my stuff wasn’t working anymore."’

‘”Chris Mortensen said that Drew told him that he never understood what (former Patriot coach Bill) Parcells meant when he wanted him to be a leader,” said Garber. “And now he understands. He had a staple put on (the side of his face) without anesthesia. That’s leadership. He has evolved and is the leader of the team.”‘

‘The former University of Tennessee standout is a free agent after this season and should the Bills fail or elect not to re-sign him by next March, other teams will be calling Price, not just friends and marketers.’

‘"This is a good football team," wide receiver Rod Smith said. "They have more firepower than anybody in the NFL, and if we have to get into a shootout with them, are we ready to do that? Offensively, we have to step up our game."’