‘”We’ve got two games left,” said Bills quarterback Rob Johnson. “I think we’re all playing for next year since the playoffs are gone. We’re trying to get a couple wins and end on a positive note that we can take into next year.”‘
BillsBeat - December 17, 2000
BILLS AND PATRIOTS TRYING TO PROVE THEY'RE NOT DEAD ON ARRIVAL
‘The offense that gets out of its own way the best will win. . . . Bills, 23-17.’
SOMEONE WILL PAY BUTLER BIG BUCKS
‘Butler figures to be in high demand around the NFL when his contract with the Bills runs out after this season. The market value of the top general managers in the NFL is well above $1 million a year.’
CHILLY DRAFT BILLS' EARLY-ROUND SELECTIONS NEVER REALLY HEATED UP IN 2000
‘While the draft netted some promising talent, the overall impact of the eight-player rookie class of 2000 has been limited. Most coaches and general managers claim that you need two, maybe three years before you can judge draft picks. If that’s the case, it remains to be seen how many of the Bills’ rookies will be hits or misses.’
AFC EAST RIVALS TURN COLD SHOULDER BUFFALO'S WAY
‘”At the last realignment meeting they asked each owner to pick two teams from their present divisions which are their top rivals,” Bills owner Ralph Wilson said this past week. “I picked the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets, which is pretty obvious. Then they asked for one top rival out of the division. I picked Pittsburgh, because when the Steelers come here they bring about 20,000 fans with them.”‘
BillsBeat - December 16, 2000
Pats, Bills have QB questions
‘The Bills front office doesn’t say anything publicly, but they’re worried they could be in long-term trouble with Johnson as the starter if he doesn’t get straightened out.’
Smith hopes for fresh start
‘"Oh yeah, I hope so," Smith said of the prospect of being released. "I don’t want to go through the same thing here next year. I’d like to get a fresh start somewhere."’
Simmons received coach's message
‘Simmons, who turned 26 last week, had been dismissed from Wednesday’s practice and accused of not expending enough effort.’
Patriots' ills take a toll on Belichick
‘His team stinks, the weather is miserable and people are starting to get on his back. Bill Belichick is sick? What a surprise.’
NFL creates a fine mess
‘The NFL (aka the No Fun League) doled out $90,000 in fines to the St. Louis Rams this week. The reason? Dancing after a touchdown.’
Parity's biggest ally of Patriots
‘The NFL is one league in which teams can easily vault over the ones in front of them. Call it Pete Rozelle’s legacy. But recent history tells us teams that struggle one year can make a big tournaround the next. The Pats could be one of those teams, considering that they spent the first six weeks of the season or so playing teams tough.’
Simmons in doghouse
‘During his daily press conference before practice yesterday, Belichick said the matter was a private issue between player and coach. Simmons did not work out with the team Thursday, and Belichick said the third-year pro would not do so yesterday.’
Pendry most disturbed by Bills lack of point production
‘Asked if that means his offense has underachieved, Pendry said: "I would say this … we need to score more points when the opportunities are there."’
UNCOORDINATED PENDRY FRUSTRATED BY BILLS' OFFENSIVE WOES
‘”You turn the ball over and you have a tough time winning,” Pendry said. “That’s the biggest difference between where we were early and lately. . . . That’s what we’ve prided ourselves on, and we’ve got to get back to it. There are a lot of other things, but you can’t turn the ball over. You’ve got to not turn it over and score when you have the opportunity. That’s what we haven’t done.”‘
STATIONS BRUSHING UP THEIR BIDS FOR BILLS' RADIO RIGHTS
‘The owner of 97 Rock, Citadel Communications, now has to hope that it won’t be the last home game it gets to broadcast. After next week’s finale in Seattle, the three-year deal that the Bills signed with Citadel’s predecessor, Mercury Radio, expires. It isn’t exactly as exciting as speculating on whether the Bills will have a new offensive coordinator next season, but the Bills’ radio choice could have a big impact on local radio.’