Two Bills Drive

‘The Jets are 9-5 with a chance to clinch a playoff berth this week at home against Buffalo. They can win the AFC East and get a first-round bye if they win their last two. They are in this position for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is an old man playing quarterback like a kid.’

‘The Jets’ offense and its embattled coordinator had their most creative and effective game of the year in Sunday’s 29-28 victory in Indianapolis.’

‘…Hackett’s offense shined like never before in a 29-28 victory over the Colts, a victory that all but assured the Jets (9-5) of a playoff berth.’

‘"The Jets are scrappy," Curtis Martin said in ESPN’s slick pregame production. "We don’t care if we win by one, we don’t care if we win by 50. We just want to get it done."’

‘"I like it because the guys are having fun," Edwards said. "They are playing loose and having fun and that’s how you have to play. You can’t play tight. That’s what I told them: ‘You can’t be tight; you just have to go play. Let it all hang out. Play football like you know how.’"’

‘But be of good cheer: The reward could be the second overall selection in the 2002 draft.’

‘The Bills will be back to work tomorrow, though, getting ready for their game against the New York Jets on Sunday in the Meadowlands. And then the harsh reality will hit them again.’

‘Guard Jerry Ostroski suffered a right knee contusion, meanwhile, and didn’t sound positive about a quick recovery. It’s the same leg he broke in training camp. Ostroski left the game in the second quarter. "When your knee is five times larger than it should be, you can only go so far," he said.’

‘As always, after his team has been the victim of a penalty-fest, Williams made the lame contention, "that’s not us." Excuse me, Gregg, but yes it is. In your first year as a head coach, I’m not exactly sure where you feel your team has established a reputation for not collecting penalties.But here’s the reality. The Bills came into this week fourth-worst in the league in number of penalties and fifth-worst in yards penalized.’

‘These days Vinklarek is offensive line coach for the Bills, despite being a scrub even on his tiny high school team, despite never playing in college. He made it to the NFL last year after more than 20 years of coaching at every level from middle school on up – always as an assistant, never in the spotlight. After all those years he hasn’t forgotten about his past.’

‘That’s exactly how Gregg Williams earned his first heading coach shot with the Bills nearly a year ago. His teams were good, and his leadership potential was evident. Cottrell and Williams are both hands-on coaches, otherwise known as teachers. Cottrell’s approach to players is a little warmer than Williams, who prefers a tough, harder-edged style. But both coaches demand a lot from their athletes, and both have the respect of their players. Williams got his shot; now it’s Cottrell’s turn.’

‘But once again, the Bills made such a long list of mistakes that they succeeded in losing the game every bit as much as the Falcons won it.’

‘Travis Henry’s sprained knee just got a whole lot better.’

‘Every week, the Bills find ways to lose.’

‘"You think you reach one low point in the season and then the next week you follow it up with something a little bit lower," Riemersma said.’