Two Bills Drive

‘But there is one area of lacking that is worth talking about now: Leadership. By that, I mean leadership from players, not coaches. The current-day Bills have a few fine leaders– Phil Hansen and Jerry Ostroski– but this doesn’t touch the Buffalo teams of the 90’s. Is that a revelation? Not unless you’ve been watching nothing but curling for the last 10 years. But it is a point worth examining.’

‘Larry Centers got his 750th career reception, but he also was Buffalo’s leading rusher with 14 yards…’.

‘The 49ers kept possession for 39:48 and recorded five takeaways for the second consecutive week.’

‘But let us paraphrase Vince Lombardi. Winning against Buffalo isn’t everything — it’s the only thing that’s barely more than something. If you know what we mean.’

‘Van Pelt couldn’t get his feet set, couldn’t find his rhythm, often lost sight of defensive backs downfield and soon lost the confidence he built in 300-plus-yard passing performances against the Seattle Seahawks and the Miami Dolphins. He was sacked twice, hurried at least 10 times and repeatedly confused.’

‘Thousands of fans — as many as 35,000, judging by the half-empty stadium — were turned away from 3Com Park parking lots because several lots and access roads were blocked or flooded.’

‘2: First downs allowed by the 49ers’ defense in the first 29 1/2 minutes.’

‘Add Buffalo Coach Gregg Williams to the growing list of admirers of quarterback Jeff Garcia.’

‘It appeared as if the 49ers were using the Bills as a warm-up to the Rams. Coaches decided to counter the Bills’ fine receivers, Peerless Price and Eric Moulds, with man coverage and a bevy of blitzes early in the game.’

‘Buffalo was tied for last in the league in turnover margin, and was fourth worst at giving up quarterback sacks. The 49ers, who forced just 16 turnovers in their first 10 games, got five last night, and they sacked Bills QB Alex Van Pelt twice.’

‘The 49ers announced last night’s crowd at a standard 67,252, but at least 27,252 of those came to the park, saw that two of the stadium’s five lots were two feet below sea level and turned around, enraged and conjugating inappropriate verbs in front of the kids as they slogged back to their homes.’

‘Former 49ers safety Pierson Prioleau, who was released in training camp, resurfaced on the active roster for the first time with the Bills after getting picked up three weeks ago.’

‘Said Plummer of his interceptions: "I think they’re a gift from God."’

‘If Garcia sounded like he was talking about tossing away trash, he wasn’t exaggerating by much. The Bills were garbage.’

‘Their 35-0 victory over the eminently routable Buffalo Bills on Sunday night only confirmed what some of us have resisted believing the past three months. They’re good. They’re for real. Why, at 9-2 they’re the best team in the Bay Area.’