Two Bills Drive

‘Buffalo Bills linebacker Sam Cowart underwent surgery on a partially torn Achilles’ tendon Friday, increasing the likelihood that he will be out for the season. But the Bills have not officially ruled out Cowart, who was injured in last Sunday’s 24-6 loss to the New Orleans Saints.’

‘Williams said Cowart’s injury is not as severe as the complete tear of the tendon that was suffered by Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde two years ago. "It’s up higher in the muscle belly moreso than on the tendon," he said.’

Porter, who signed with the Dolphins in March after not being resigned after three seasons with Buffalo, was cut in preseason.

Porter was one of the players burned in Homerun Throwback by the Titans.

"He is a young guy who has played cornerback and safety and is a good special teams player," Titans GM Floyd Reese said.

‘"I feel it is the absolute right decision by the NFL to postpone games this weekend," Wilson said in a statement. "I had conveyed my thoughts to the league in regards to not playing this weekend well in advance of the announcement because I feel that to play the games would have shown a great insensitivity to this national tragedy that has shocked our nation and the world. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and their loved ones, as well as the heroic rescue workers who continue in their tireless efforts to search for survivors."’

‘Players throughout the NFL carried the flag on this charge. They saw their games as circumstantially irrelevant and, one would think, recognized the magnitude of their influence. It’s telling that after the players stripped the NFL of its corporate veneer that baseball and NASCAR and major-college football quickly postponed their activities through the weekend. We don’t need to climb to the peaks of our stadiums. Cause for reflection is right before our eyes.’

‘The Dolphins prefer to play the game, since it was a home date against a division opponent that lost its opener. The majority just didn’t want to play it now, for reasons of preparation, security, safety and respect.’

‘"As it was brought to my attention yesterday, [I felt] the initial shock and the disbelief and numbness in what was going on," he said. "In the middle of the afternoon, [I was] angry about what was going on. Finally, well after midnight last night, as I was getting ready to leave the office, I came to the resolution that if our government says it’s safe to play this football game, and our league office says it’s safe to play this football game, we need to do our part."’

‘"How are you going to play in the Meadowlands (the Giants were to host the Green Bay Packers Sunday) when you have people under rubble right across the river? It would be very insensitive."’

‘"I hope and pray that all the people in our organization take the time this weekend to take a walk with their kids, hug their wife, go and do something with one of their loved ones," general manager Tom Donahoe said. "I hope we just realize how fortunate all of us are."’

‘Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. was in the near vicinity of the Pentagon when a hijacked airliner slammed into the nation’s military center on Tuesday, the team confirmed yesterday. The Bills would not say why Wilson was in Washington, D.C., or the nearby area.’

‘Tagliabue spent Thursday morning on a conference call with team owners to discuss the options. Afterward, he said: "A decision on whether to reschedule this weekend’s games or play a 15-game season schedule is under consideration and will be announced as soon as possible."’

Even Buffalobills.com writers seem to be into Fantasy Football.

‘"It would be hard for me to put a word on how inconsequential this is," he maintained. "This is a game … entertainment. (The terrorist attacks) were the very core of what our existence is as a nation."’

The National Football League decided to not play this weekend due to this week’s events in New York and Washington, the first time in league history the league has postponed the entire schedule due to a national tragedy (AFL posponed games for a week after Kennedy assasination).

There is no word if the games, which includes Buffalo’s annual visit to Miami, will be made up or simply have the Bills, and every other team but the San Diego Chargers, play just 15 games this season.

We in the National Football League have decided that our priorities for this weekend are to pause, grieve, and reflect. It is a time to tend to families and neighbors and all those wounded by these horrific acts of terrorism.

We understand those individuals in sports who want to play this weekend. We also can empathize with those who want to take the weekend off and resume their personal lives and professional careers next week. We strongly believe that the latter course of action is the right decision for the NFL.

On Sunday, Sept. 23, the NFL, its players and coaches will return stronger than ever and resume our playing schedule. A decision on whether to re-schedule this weekend’s games or play a 15-game regular season schedule is under consideration and will be announced as soon as possible.