Two Bills Drive

‘Cowart will become a free agent when the four-year contract he signed as a rookie in 1998 expires at the end of the season.’

‘The Chautauqua County Sports Hall of Fame…’.

‘The good news for Daryl Gardener is that he doesn’t need surgery. The bad news is that he will not be on the field anytime soon.’

‘Dolphins defensive tackle Daryl Gardener will miss at least another month of play and could be out for the remainder of the season if his injured back does not heal sufficiently, two sources close to him said Tuesday.’

‘But booing? It showed little understanding. Even less patience. And no class.’

‘The Dolphins made three stops Tuesday as part of their annual distribution of donated turkeys: Refuge Church of Our Lord, Christ Crusade and Casa De Alabanza. At each location, they were greeted by lines, cheers and autograph seekers.’

‘They’re a division rival with a storied history against the Dolphins, even though defensive end Phil "MMMBop" Hansen is the only player remaining from the glory years of the early 1990s. And, most important, they’re not the New York Jets.’

‘An NFL source said Gardener will miss at least the next month while hoping rest and rehabilitation will alleviate some of the problems being generated by a fragmented disc in his back. Gardener then will be reevaluated to determine whether he can return this season.’

Questions:

The Bills will participate in several community relations initiatives today: Food Bank of WNY, Buffalo City Mission, Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army and annual banquet for Canisius High School.

Nostalgia Stat: The Bills retired their first-ever jersey, setting aside forever Jim Kelly’s No. 12 during a halftime ceremony, then went on to their 7th consecutive home loss. With Kelly as the starter, Buffalo was 74-23 at home.

Sociological indicator: Last year when the Dolphins retired the No. 13 of Dan Marino, whose accomplishments were about the same as Kelly’s-better stats, fewer championships, both whiffed the big game-the Miami ceremony was a nationally televised spectacular featuring rock bands, Broadway staging, fireworks, dry-ice clouds, and gorgeous half-naked dancers. For Sunday’s ceremony in Buffalo, Kelly simply walked to the center of the field with his wife, daughter, dad, and handicapped son, then spoke briefly about the importance of loyalty to family. Oh football gods, why did you deny this man a Super Bowl ring?

‘The Bills are currently on a five-game non-scoring streak in the first quarter as they head into Sunday’s meeting with the Miami Dolphins at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘"The frustrations he expresses to me are private," Williams said. "He and I will handle that together, and we have to continue to find ways to get him the ball."’

‘Jim Kelly, co-founder with his wife of the Hunter’s Hope Foundation, is expected to present her with a March of Dimes Mother of the Year Award during the noon event in the Crowne Plaza Rochester, 70 State St.’

‘After Sunday’s 23-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Bills are being outscored an alarming 62-16 in the first 15 minutes and 66-20 in the first 15 minutes after halftime.’