Two Bills Drive

‘Hayes started the final eight games of the 2000 campaign, and appeared to have plugged the Jets’ perennial hole at free safety. But during the spring, the team signed free agent Damien Robinson from Tampa Bay. Good-bye starting spot for Hayes, who had to be content with his title of "special-teams ace." But Robinson, nursing an ankle injury he suffered in the loss to San Francisco on Monday night, was downgraded from questionable to out Friday. So Hayes will make his first start of 2001 when the Jets (1-2) visit Buffalo (0-3) at 4:05 p.m.’

It was just one sentence, buried in Gregg Williams’ weekly Wednesday discussion of the state of the Buffalo Bills, but it gave a hint that he might just be learning what head coaching is all about. “I think we have to identify what we have strengths at doing and capitalize on those,” Williams said… Whoa.

‘Tackles John Fina and Jonas Jennings, who sat out last Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with leg injuries, practiced again Friday and were expected to start Sunday against the New York Jets.’

‘First-year coach Herman Edwards understands what a precarious position the Jets hang in. If the Jets (1-2) do not beat winless Buffalo (0-3) this Sunday, the grumbling will quickly turn to discontent and take a huge step toward downright mutiny. In many ways, Edwards is coaching not to lose his team.’

‘Bottom line: The Bills are off to their worst start in 17 seasons and their legitimate chances to win a game are few and far between. This week’s match with the New York Jets is one of them. Expect an all-out effort from Buffalo and take the 4 points vs. a Jets team that has been less than impressive in compiling a 1-2 mark this season.’

‘The Jets lack consistency. Their last four touchdown drives averaged 12 plays and 78 yards. They even had a 94-yard march end in a field goal. But the Jets have 12 three-and-out series, tied for fourth most in the NFL.’

‘Christie, who maintains he was basically cut because he refused an injury settlement, was still receiving checks from the Bills until the time of his release, said Gil Scott, Christie’s Toronto-based agent.’

‘Williams speaks frequently with Washington, not so much for playing advice — he has an excellent coach in John Levra for that — but for support. With the Bills off to an 0-3 start, Williams isn’t afraid to use his phone-a-friend life line. "I talk to Ted all the time," Williams said. "I’ve told him I haven’t been doing too well, but Ted tells me to ‘Suck it up and just play, you’re the man now.’ We don’t have Ted anymore or any backups for that matter, and it’s going to be hard on us."’

‘"It’s a bit unusual to come here and do this," Christie said. "A lot of guys come back when they’re ready to retire, after it’s been one or two years after they’ve been to another club. I really didn’t want to wait that long to make my thank-yous."’

‘Vinny Testaverde says it is a matter of a missed block here, a poor throw there, a dropped pass, the little things that are impeding the development of the Jets’ offense.’

‘Actually, Sunday was really Monday night, and it was an absolute nightmare for Becht, the last of four No. 1 picks for the Jets in 2000. Aside from the three obvious drops, there was a fourth that was borderline and there was a fourth-quarter sack he allowed to rookie defensive end Andre Carter. The last drop and the sack came on back-to-back plays. Drop. Sack. All on prime-time television, before Al, Dennis, Dan and the entire country. Ouch.’

‘Since coming to the Jets in 1998, Martin has only 331 yards in six games against Buffalo, a per-carry average of 2.8 yards.’

‘With the implementation of a new offense and defense, the struggles become even more apparent. And it has left a veteran team’s confidence shaken as it heads to Orchard Park to face the Bills on Sunday.’

‘Maybe Aaron Glenn is just meant to return punts for the Jets this season. First, the Jets lost first-round draft pick Santana Moss to torn cartilage in his knee and Glenn filled in. Then they traded for Chad Morton, who is out until at least next week with a sprained ankle. Until he returns, Glenn is the man and that’s fine with him.’

‘Tired of watching film of a defense that looked like 11 chaperones at the prom, not to mention an offense that sputtered again, they are fighting to stay positive when a lot of voices outside of Weeb Ewbank Hall say the Jets might be finished in October. Fact is, if they lose to the winless Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium, that might be the case.’