Two Bills Drive

‘Both teams started the season with new headcoaches who were defensive specialists, with Buffalo hiring Gregg Williams from Tennessee, and New York hiring Herman Edwards from the Tampa Bay organization. With the new coaches bringing in new systems on offense and defense, the teams have sputtered out of the gate, and are looking to put all the pieces together this Sunday.’

‘The Bills’ 29th-ranked, no-name defense is led in tackling by cornerback Antoine Winfield, which tells the Jets all they need to know. Expect Vinny Testaverde to take aim downfield for receivers Wayne Chrebet and Laveranues Coles, who played the best of any Jet in Monday night’s loss to the 49ers.’

‘He could use one for numerous reasons: It might pacify a stadium full of fans growing skeptical of his ability to get the job done; it would increase the confidence level of teammates in him and the Bills’ offense; and, perhaps most importantly, it would bolster his own confidence.’

‘The Bills and Jets also have many of the same problems. Both have inconsistent offenses that have trouble scoring and their defenses rank at or near the bottom of the NFL in several categories.’

‘When Williams assembled his staff, he should have realized that one of the most critical jobs was offensive line coach. On a team with major offensive malfunctions, it ranks in importance just behind the offensive and defensive coordinators. Yet the new guy put the line in the hands of Ronnie Vinklarek, who has just flimsy pro experience.’

‘In staff meetings, he’s had to keep his cool and be just as encouraging with young assistants, six who’ve never coached at this level. So far — and it could get worse before it gets better — Williams, 43, is drawing high praise from his people.’

‘But these fans — hearty souls who have lived through the tumult and heartbreak of back-to-back 2-14 seasons in 1984 and ’85 when Buffalo was a national laughingstock — have a firm grip on reality. They understand that this young team is not very good, and they realize that while the leaves have just begun to change costumes, it is already a given that unless 10 AFC teams fold operations, the Bills are not going to the playoffs this year.’

‘They were beaten by the San Francisco 49ers 19-17 last Monday night, giving up 233 yards rushing in their first home game since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Edwards labeled his team’s effort "embarrassing," a word Williams can steal in summing up Buffalo’s first three games.’

‘[Q:] What do you think about Buffalo’s favorite delicacy, the chicken wing? [A:] "They’re nice. These are the best wings I’ve had since I’ve been alive. We’ve got wings down in Florida, but they’re not like these wings up here. These are just right, you can’t get any better."’

‘The Bills have to get the running game going, and there are no excuses today against one of the worst teams in the league against the run.’

‘"We haven’t had to deal with this kind of adversity around here, that’s probably why some of us guys said some things we didn’t really mean (following last week’s 20-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers)," Riemersma said.’

‘If they lose to the Bills, who are reeling from changes in systems and from a rash of injuries, the Jets’ season could be over.’

‘The Jets, languishing under new coach Herman Edwards, desperately need a breakout game today over the lowly Bills to prevent the rapid spread of doubt, according to several veterans. Make no mistake, there are some players wondering about the new West Coast offense and the new 4-3 defensive scheme. Curtis Martin, stressing the need to execute the game plan "the way it’s coached," said: "I think that’s important for our confidence, even more so than a win."’

‘"We have a season-long program called Twin Towers Tuesday, where our players are going out into the community to visit families, schools and fire stations affected by the tragedy," said Bob Parente, the Jets’ vice president for business operations. "The Jets-a-thon is a way for our fans to join our efforts."’

‘Prediction: Jets, 23-13.’