Two Bills Drive

‘Thomas is a 230-pound load who runs behind one of the better offensive lines in the NFL.’

‘Brown claims there’s not a lineman alive, or dead, who wouldn’t rather block for the run than the pass. So far, I haven’t found anyone to contradict him.’

‘"The people of Buffalo," Forry said, "are going to fall in love with this kid."’

‘Mike Williams could wind up totaling $43.96 million over six years if he were to hit all incentives, according to players’ union sources.’

The Bills have had three 100-yard receiving games from three different receivers so far in 2002 (Eric Moulds, Peerless Price, and Josh Reed). The most the team has ever had in one season was 11 in 1991, accomplished by four different receivers – Andre Reed (4), James Lofton (4), Thurman Thomas (2), and Don Beebe (1).

‘Levy has pointed out on other occasions that his five-year stint here opened the doors for an NFL career that eventually saw him lead the Buffalo Bills to an unprecedented four consecutive Super Bowl appearances.’

‘Traylor, who won two Super Bowl rings with Denver, may well be coming off his best game as a Bear, last Sunday’s loss to New Orleans.’

‘Q: What’s wrong with Buffalo’s defense? A: Quite a bit. The Bills are giving up 35 points a game, including special-teams gaffes. They really haven’t been the same since letting defensive tackle Ted Washington get away.’

‘What’s wrong with Dez White, anyway? It could be he’s suffering from an identity crisis. Think about it. Marty Booker is the guy. Marcus Robinson is the guy who used to be the guy. David Terrell is the mouth. Where does that leave White? "He’s the guy in between,” Booker said with a laugh.’

‘The Bears responded positively last season after setbacks, rolling off six victories in a row after losing the opener. After their second and third losses, they won three and four games in a row, respectively. Thomas should take control. If he doesn’t, a problem is developing. Bears 24, Bills 20.’

‘It means the Bills want to put the Bears’ defense in nickel and dime alignments (utilizing five and six defensive backs) as often as possible. Because, when the Bears use six defensive backs, four will be players who started a total of two games combined last season; three didn’t see enough action to earn a varsity letter.’

‘"You go through eight years when the job is yours, and I had been pretty healthy my whole career, and then to have an injury and have my position taken away from me, that was a little bit of a wakeup call,” Bledsoe said. "What it has done is make me appreciate the situation I’m in and the opportunity I have to play the game."’

‘"I’m a big believer in weightlifting. That’s all I do in the off-season. Even though I’m not a big guy, I always try to be bigger in the weight room. I lift six days a week (in the off-season). I started sophomore year in high school. I learned that was the best thing to do to stay healthy. This year, it was even more important because (coaches told me) I had to get bigger and stronger."’

‘A typical Bills game involves wild plays up and down the field – they gave up two kick returns for touchdowns to the Jets in a season-opening loss, have allowed a fumble return for a touchdown and have scored themselves on a fumble recovery as well as a kick return.’

‘Gene Chamberlain’s pick: Bears 27, Bills 23.’