Two Bills Drive

‘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.’

‘“I think this team is better than those teams were across the board,” he said. “We’ve got some amazingly talented receivers, we’ve got some tight ends, we’ve got outstanding guys in the backfield, and I think our offensive line will be a very good group now that they’re starting to work together. I think this team has the potential, that same old word. We have the talent to get it done. Now we have to go out and prove it.”’

‘Today against the Chicago Bears (2-1) at Ralph Wilson Stadium, the Bills (1-2) are stressing the importance of a fast start so a fourth consecutive nail-biting finish can be averted. That’s because if the game does come down to fourth-quarter heroics, the scales tip heavily to ‘Da Bears.’

‘With Washington out, the Bills feel they have a better chance to slip a blocker into open space to take on Urlacher. And they know they must accomplish this feat or else Urlacher will make life miserable for running back Travis Henry.’

”’Well, my wife (Debra), she doesn’t take anything from anybody. If anybody in the stands is saying something bad about me, she’ll stand up and let them know she’s my wife.”’

‘You see the oddsmakers – and ultimately that’s you – favor Buffalo by a field goal.’

‘In the 25 regular-season games following that loss to the Bills, Chicago has gone an incredible 13-2 in games decided by seven points of fewer. Buffalo, on the other hand, over the past 24 starts, is 4-9 in such games.’

The Tiger-Cats have announced the signing of CURTIS ALEXANDER, a 6-1, 205 pound RB, has been added to the Tiger-Cats practice roster. Alexander who played his college football at Alabama. Alexander, who goes by the nickname “Cool Curt”, was a late (injury) cut by the Buffalo Bills just prior to the start of the 2002 NFL season.

4) Bledsoe -and- Brady succeed: Arguments about which QB is better will rage on throughout the season — but who cares? Both are playing stellar football.

After three weeks, wide receiver Peerless Price leads the NFL with 352 receiving yards and his 25 receptions are tied for second most in the NFL behind New England's Troy Brown (31).

Surprising numbers?