Two Bills Drive

‘"The defense does have some key injuries right now, and we have to help them out as much as possible," center Jerry Ostroski said. "The way we can help them out is put points on the board. Hopefully, we can get that on track this week.".’

‘If the team misses the playoffs, Phillips and his supporters will no doubt use the current rash of injuries as an excuse. He shouldn’t get off that easily.’

‘"I’ve just been thinking about going through my rehab and I’m supposed to have surgery next week," he said. "Once that’s done, when the season’s over with, I’ll have made up my decision on what to do."’

‘"To make a long story short," Cottrell said, "we’re not switching defenses."’

‘"I was really looking forward to going up there and playing in that stadium and being on the opposite sideline to see how the fans and everybody would react to me being in a Dolphins’ uniform," Thomas said yesterday. "It was something I was really looking forward to."’

‘The Dolphins are optimistic quarterback Jay Fiedler and running back Lamar Smith will return to the starting lineup for Sunday’s game at Buffalo.’

‘Through the long-running controversy the past three seasons over whether Johnson or Flutie is the right guy for the Bills, Moulds has thrived, rising up the ranks of the NFL’s top receivers.’

‘[In 1999] Williams underwent three surgeries, but the Jets actually cut his salary by a third during the sickness. Williams said Wednesday that episode had repercussions on his being waived three weeks ago.’

‘Thomas will ride with the team from the hotel to the stadium, a route where visiting teams are greeted rudely by some of the NFL’s most passionate fans.’

‘Quarterback Jay Fiedler and running back Lamar Smith got through Wednesday’s practice without major complications, which increases the possibility they’ll be in the lineup Sunday at Buffalo.’

‘This much is sure when the Dolphins play the Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday: Johnson will be the starting quarterback. Not Doug Flutie.’

‘Fiedler, who had not practiced since Nov. 17, said he felt good, but he remains listed as questionable.’

‘One year removed from a rare illness that nearly killed him, Kevin Williams finds it easy to look on the bright side.’

‘Jay Fiedler, who has been sidelined by a pinched nerve in his neck, returned to practice Wednesday and might start Sunday at Buffalo.’

‘Sidelined by a season-ending knee injury, Thomas plans to watch from a Rich Stadium skybox as the Bills play his new team, the Miami Dolphins.’