Two Bills Drive

‘"I thank God for the gifts he gave me," Smerlas said. "God made me a big, strong, 300-pound man who could kick some (behinds) on the field."’

‘Travis Henry, the Buffalo Bills’ leading rusher, was knocked out of the game with a sprained left knee in the second quarter Sunday against New England.’

Buffalobills.com sat down with Bills Director of Pro Personnel John Guy to find out the latest on the New England Patriots, who visit Ralph Wilson Stadium Sunday. Guy, who has provided tips this season on the opposition, also evaluates the Patriots’ playoff chances and gives an update on his report from last month.

‘The Bills are feeling better about themselves after beating Carolina last week for their second win. They would like nothing better than to derail the Patriots’ roll towards the postseason in their final home game.’

‘The Brady-for-Bledsoe switch is the most stunning of many strange turns the Patriots’ season has taken. And it’s the biggest reason New England takes the field in Ralph Wilson Stadium today as one of the most surprising success stories in the NFL this year.’

‘So why aren’t Riemersma’s numbers up? Part of the reason is that the Bills’ offensive line has been decimated by injury and Riemersma had to be used more as a blocker than a pass receiver.’

‘Tom Brady, who entered the 2001 season anonymously and is likely to leave it a millionaire, will be the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots. The startling aspect is that he may be the Pats’ starter next season and in the foreseeable future.’

‘The New England Patriots are streaking and the Buffalo Bills are reeking.’

‘The Bills Experience, which takes place in the Bills Fieldhouse prior to every home game, will be free to attend prior to today’s game against the New England Patriots.’

‘[Q:] Where is it colder, Buffalo or Norway? [A:] ”Oh, Norway. I lived in the warmest part of Norway and it’s still colder than it is here. There’s a lot of snow. When I lived in the north we’d have 10 feet of snow and it could be minus-40 there. This is summer for me right now.”’

‘Of course, Smerlas’ strong views aren’t what made him one of the most popular Bills of all time. It was his play — he gobbled up blockers as if they were buckets of chicken wings — and his regular Joe, lunch-bucket approach that endeared him to Buffaloanians. Though raised in the Boston ‘burbs, Smerlas was and is a Buffalo guy. There has always been a mutual empathy between player and town. A feeling that they’ve both had to scratch and claw to receive their just due.’

‘The Patriots are clearly the better team, but it would not be a shock if the Bills pulled off an upset.’

”’It doesn’t matter whether the quarterback was [Drew] Bledsoe, [John] Friesz, [Tom] Brady,” Belichick said Monday. ”It didn’t matter whether their quarterback was [Doug] Flutie, [Rob] Johnson. It doesn’t matter who the coach was. I mean, Buffalo and New England have played tight, competitive games whether they were early in the season [or] late in the season. Whether the weather was sunny, snowy, windy, in between. They have been tight games; they have come down to the wire. They have been tough, physical, hard-hitting games."’

‘When Vrabel was paying his dues as a backup in Pittsburgh for four seasons, the Patriots saw enough to take a chance – and give him one. Thirteen games into his second career, the Patriots aren’t second-guessing themselves.’

‘…Bruschi is slated to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, and is having what many experts consider the best football season of his life while playing a variety of positions.’