Two Bills Drive

‘The problem with the defense, as Edwards sees it, is not effort, but execution. Usually, a defense could expect to miss perhaps five or six tackles a game. Monday night, the Jets missed an astonishing 18. Edwards said players are not lining up correctly. And when they are out of position, they are forced to lunge and reach for tackles. A good running back, like the 49ers Garrison Hearst, was able to run through arm tackles.’

‘Under Cottrell’s guidance from 1998 to 2000, the Bills were known as a sound defense that rarely beat itself. In 1999, Buffalo had the No. 1 defense in the NFL. But on Monday night, the Jets’ defensive performance was "disheartening," Cottrell said.’

‘Defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, who spent the previous three seasons in the same position with the Bills, admitted it was a "little disappointing" that he wasn’t hired as Wade Phillips’ successor. He interviewed for the head-coaching position last offseason, but it went to Gregg Williams. "I thought I had a … hey, what are you going to say?" Cottrell said. "You can’t tell people who to hire."’

‘"Oh man," Darling said yesterday, "when something like that happens [allowing 233 yards rushing before a national-television audience], you want to get back out there and prove that wasn’t who we are as a team or who you are as a player."’

‘He spent the last seven years in Buffalo as the Bills’ linebackers coach and defensive coordinator after spending three earlier years there as the defensive line coach. "Oh God, I’ll see a lot of friends," Cottrell said yesterday. "I spent 10 years of my life there. I think it’s going to be different. I’ll have a lot of thoughts, memories and emotions, but we’ve got a job to do."’

‘Now it is Chrebet’s seventh year in the league, and he’s still struggling to prove his worth. He’s not complaining about it, and would only discuss it if someone else brings it up. But the fact is, the Jets have thrown only 12 passes to their best receiver in three games. Not surprisingly, he’s caught nine of them.’

‘Ted Cottrell, the Jets’ defensive coordinator, could only shake his head when asked yesterday to comment on the team’s defensive performance against San Francisco. "Geez," Cottrell said. "My God."’

‘Buffalo’s defense is ranked 29th and is yielding almost 7 yards per play on first down, last in the league. Cornerback Antoine Winfield is a top player, but he is also the Bills’ top tackler, not a good sign for "Herd" fans. The most recognizable name left on a unit gutted of its legendary names is left end Phil Hansen, but he’s out of Sunday’s game with an elbow injury.’

‘"Right now I see a team struggling, and it’s not just one or two individuals," Williams said. "We have to play better to beat the Jets than we did last weekend, or any other weekend." Williams reiterated that he did not single out Johnson for criticism and while he did say "I thought he took a step back" he also mentioned that many other players fell into the same category.’

‘Scott said Christie will hold a news conference in Buffalo today "to tell his side of the story."’

‘The comparisons between the two aren’t being made just on television during game broadcasts. Flutie jerseys are still plentiful in the of Ralph Wilson Stadium, and many newspapers in the Buffalo region publish weekly charts highlighting the two. And then there are the letters to the editor. In one recent issue of The Buffalo News, seven letters critical of Johnson were printed, including one that read: "Flutie wins. Johnson loses. Enough said."’

‘Under NFL rules, the Bills had to wait until Christie was healthy before they could release him.’

‘The move to release Christie was expected after he refused an injury settlement, which could have allowed him to re-sign with the team after Week 10.’

‘While this week isn’t critical, it sure is pivotal. The Bills may be winless, but they also are bad hosts when the Jets pay their annual visit, having won five of the last six at Ralph Wilson Stadium. A loss would drop the Jets to 1-3 (1-2 in the division) and their summer talk about being a playoff team and aspiring to play in the Super Bowl would ring very hollow.’

‘Pat Williams looks around and shakes his head at what remains of the once-proud Buffalo Bills defense he played for during his first three NFL seasons. With preseason cuts, free-agent defections and in-season injuries, only one member of last year’s starting front seven – linebacker Keith Newman – will be on the field Sunday when the Bills host the New York Jets.’