Two Bills Drive

‘Buffalo Bills first-year coach Gregg Williams is a stickler for details, so much so that when he interviewed for the position he now holds he came armed with a long list of potential assistants he might hire. It went 10 deep at every position.’

‘"They’re hurt by what happened because we’ve instilled some great pride in our players," Smith said. "And I think you’ll see everybody react in a positive manner."’

Guess what? Rob Johnson is winning back fans in Buffalo. Really, he is. What was once regarded as foolish plays in which he risk his body for injury is now being regarded as courage.

Edgerrin James says he will play despite a knee injury but you have to wonder if he will be at his 100-yard self on the turf in cold Orchard Park. This is dangerous game against the Colts, who have a big home game against the Dolphins next week.

How much will Edgerrin James’ questionable status affect the Colts’ offense?

James, who has a sprained knee, is obviously one of the NFL’s finest backs. But rookie Rhodes, who came in for James, looked pretty fresh and hit the holes hard. The Colts do such a good job of distributing the football that I don’t think James’ injury hurts them as much as it would most teams. The Colts have so many weapons. It’s like St. Louis; the Rams lost Marshall Faulk, and Trung Canidate stepped in.

In addition to being recognized at Sunday’s game, The Monday Quarterback Club will honor Hull and Tasker at their luncheon meeting on Monday, November 5 at 11:30 at the HSBC Arena’s Harbour Club Restaurant. There will also be a special salute to the 1961 Bills team, which will be represented by LaVerne Torczon and Tom O’Connell.

The Bills will honor former players Kent Hull and Steve Tasker this Sunday by presenting them with the Ralph C. Wilson Distinguished Service Award.

The award has been presented annually since 1986 to former Bills players in recognition of outstanding service to the team. Hull and Taker become the 21st and 22nd recipients of the award, which will be presented in a special pre-game ceremony.

‘Guard Jerry Ostroski practiced with the team for the first time since fracturing his leg in Buffalo’s second pre-season game against Philadelphia on Aug. 18th, and there is an outside chance he might even play this Sunday against the Colts, although Ostroski was still somewhat hesitant about rushing back into action before the leg was healthy.’

"With over 150 yards Sunday, he broke his personal mark for yardage in a game, and also was able to provide the big play when the Bills needed it. In the second quarter, he caught a 46-yard pass and brought it to the San Diego goal line, a play that helped what had been a sputtering Bills’ offense up until that point get its first touchdown of the game by setting up Rob Johnson’s one-yard quarterback sneak."

Johnson shines; Bills play hard in San Diego but don’t have an answer for late Flutie heroics.

Every so often a FB in this league is respected as an offensive weapon. Long known as a quality receiving threat, Larry Centers released through the line in the second quarter and bent in on a "teaser" route under the coverage in order to open up the passing lane for WR Price. Chargers LB Gerald Dixon reacted to Centers and Price got open. There was no mention of Centers after the play, of course; he’s a fullback.

Don’t ever knock Rob Johnson ‘s courage. Hurt his ankle, knocked woozy, I mean the guy was out on his feet, and still drove his team down the field twice at the end. There’s a downside to all this, though. I don’t see him ever really going through a season without some sort of physical mishap.

Sports Illustrated Football Front Page

Eleven first-year eligible players are on the preliminary list of modern-era nominees for the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2002. Among those players is Jim Kelly, who threw for 45,309 yards and 320 TDs — including two seasons with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL. After all, it is the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

‘And the practices so far have not been any longer this year than they were the past two or three years. They’re averaging about 2 hours and 15 or 20 minutes. However, by most accounts, there is more emphasis on running plays at up-tempo game speed than in the past.’

‘James was not available to Indianapolis media after practice but released a statement saying, "We’ve ordered a new leg and it should be here by Friday."’

The Buffalo Bills may be counting on Mother Nature to slow down the Indianapolis Colts when the AFC rivals meet at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday.

Buffalo is traditionally one of the NFL’s tougher places to play as the season progresses due to the weather. The Bills should hope for some unfavorable conditions Sunday because they have unable to slow down the Colts recently.

Don Criqui & Steve Tasker will be doing game for CBS