Two Bills Drive

‘"My whole take on it is the football season is basically September, October and November," Cowart said in his first interview since having surgery Monday to repair a partially torn right Achilles’ tendon. "The doctors said it’s going to take three months for it to heal. But when a doctor tells you three months, that’s really four. After those three months to get healthy, you then have to get back to where you are in football shape and at football speed."’

‘Spoon practiced extensively with the first-team defense during Friday’s practice. Kenyatta Wright is still expected to get the majority of snaps Sunday, but Spoon is certain to get plenty of action, particularly on early downs.’

‘Rob Johnson is becoming one of the favorite quarterbacks of "Edge NFL Matchup," the ESPN show hosted by Suzy Kolber in which analysts Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge dissect plays. According to the show’s publicist, Johnson’s play is analyzed for the second straight show this weekend, prior to the Bills’ game with the Colts. Johnson was critiqued briefly on the opening show prior to his poor performance in the New Orleans Saints game.’

With the Colts scheduled to move out of the AFC East and into the new AFC South next season, this also may be Buffalo’s last visit to Indiana until the 2006 season.

Buffalo has had a somewhat tricky time at the Dome, with the Colts having a 10-7 mark against the Bills at home since the franchise moved from Baltimore in 1984.

"I think if you look at the offense, it’s built around Peyton Manning," he said. "His arm, his mindset, his attitude, things are built around that."

‘Fina’s not going anywhere and he and his agent know it. Rather than signaling his exit from Buffalo, it’s likely Donahoe’s challenge was an effort to kick-start a player with whom the Bills are stuck.’

‘In facing a new Bills defense sporting a new scheme, Manning said he is prepared for anything. He’ll be looking for the big play, but only when it presents itself. "We’ve been a big-play offense, but my philosophy as a quarterback is never to force it at all costs," Manning said. "Against the Jets, we were trying to hit the big play, but the Jets played off and we ended up taking the short stuff and ended up having some good drives. You try to take what a defense gives you. In Buffalo, I see a very aggressive style and they’ve got a lot of confidence in their corners. "When you have good corners, it allows you to do more things and that’s an advantage the Bills have."’

‘"It’s still just football," said Colts outside linebacker Mike Peterson, who had 12 total tackles against the Jets. "It’s basically trick ’em football. Show you right, run left. Show you sweep, run draw. Show you pass, run draw. Don’t throw it deep. Everything quick. If you hone up on your assignments, you know what to do."’

‘Without Harris, the team has only five healthy linebackers on the active roster — starters Mike Peterson, Rob Morris and Marcus Washington, and backups Sam Sword and Mike Morton. Donnel Thompson is on the practice squad.’

‘The league granted the Colts an extension to noon today to sell out the Bills game so it can be telecast locally. The Colts said fewer than 1,000 tickets remained late Friday afternoon.’

‘"Everybody talks about the (Colts’) Big Three people. It goes back to the Big One," said Buffalo Bills coach Gregg Williams. "Peyton Manning controls it all. You’ll see him control protection, control coverage, control the run game, does a great job audibilizing and checking at the line of scrimmage."’

‘His response was to buy the remaining tickets for the Bills’ Sept. 30 home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers for the purpose of distributing them to the families of local firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians. The cost of the tickets was more than $130,000.’

‘Coach Gregg Williams said Fisher should be ready to go Sunday, although it’s unlikely Fisher will wear his cast during the game.’

‘About 100 women have participated in Buffalo’s NFL 101 each season. Age is no barrier. "Believe me," Leffler said, "we get women in their 70s and 80s."’

‘Marchibroda was patient. Not until 1989, when he was offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, did he install the no-huddle. He did it because he had the right personnel: a bright group, a heady, take-charge quarterback in Jim Kelly, and a versatile, pass-catching running back in Thurman Thomas to help spread the field and force the defense to cover multiple receivers.’