Two Bills Drive

‘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.’

‘The league stepped in on Thursday, altering its policy of requiring teams to sell out home games 72 hours prior to kickoff for the games to be televised live in the local market. The deadline was adjusted league-wide to 48 hours prior to kickoff, which would be noon today for the Colts, who play host to Buffalo on Sunday. Colts spokesman Craig Kelley said fewer than 1,000 tickets remained Thursday afternoon for the game.’

‘"We’re not discouraged at all. We’ve played one regular-season game in this system, and we’ll get better in this system, and we’ll get more comfortable as we go along."’

‘"He always wants to make a play down the field and I think that’s a positive trait, but one that has to fit in with the constraint components of your offensive system and that’s not to take negative yardage plays. He understands that." Or does he?’

When it comes to his personal game, Bills QB Rob Johnson was both blessed and cursed by the NFL’s decision to take last Sunday off to mourn the country’s terrorist victims.

The extra time off gave Johnson’s chronically sore throwing elbow and index finger time to heal and the extra practice work in the team’s new West Coast offense was beneficial. Still, the time off gave Johnson an extra week to stew over his poor performance.

It was Haslett, a former LB with the Bills, and Saints general manager Randy Mueller who proposed that each team play Thanksgiving Day to make up games, between regularly scheduled weekend games.

"It would be tough, but it’s doable," Haslett said. "If it means getting in the four wild-card teams the league is thinking of eliminating, then it would be worth it."

Haslett even has a Jan. 5-13 schedule worked out: Play Saturday, off Sunday, practice Monday, walk-through Tuesday, play Wednesday, off Thursday, practice Friday, walk-through Saturday and play Sunday.

One thing about the new regime in Buffalo: They don’t hold back any punches. Whether it’s new HC Williams or GM Donahoe, they make sure players know what they’re thinking — even if it’s sometimes through the media. Donahoe questioned the play of veteran John Fina this week. That comes on the heels of the release of veteran safety Henry Jones and linebacker John Holecek. With Donahoe and Williams, the Bills are going to be a good football team down the road. It’s just going to take a few years. As one personnel director said, "They have the worst team in the league." In a year or two, nobody will be saying that.

Speaking of Jones, he was a Pro Bowl player for much of his 10-year career with the Bills, but he still remains unsigned after the Bills determined he didn’t fit Williams’ defense, which stresses physical safeties who can play near the line of scrimmage. There’s another reason Jones was let go: He’s clearly not the same player he has been. "He’s terrible," said one scout who has studied him on tape. "He didn’t come close to tackling anybody on the tapes I watched."