Two Bills Drive

‘"It’s going to be a little different," Cottrell said this week by phone from his office in Hempstead, L.I. "I’m going to see a lot of friends up there. I spent 10 years of my life up there. You have a lot of thoughts and memories, but you have a job to do."’

‘But Glenn, a standout cornerback, has never impressed his N.F.L. coaches with his punt returning. Although he gets in stride with breathtaking speed, he does not have the most fluid style when catching the ball.’

‘Hayes will start at free safety tomorrow against the AFC East rival Bills in Buffalo, replacing injured starter Damien Robinson, who is out with a sprained ankle.’

‘Becht was at his worst against the 49ers, dropping several passes and allowing a critical sack late in the game.’

‘In another injury setback for the Jets, Robinson will miss Sunday’s must-win game at Buffalo with a sprained left ankle. It figures to be less of an inconvenience than it could be, because the Jets will insert Chris Hayes, who finished last season as the starter at free safety.’

‘The Bills (0-3) rank 27th in the NFL in passing offense, averaging just 158.3 yards per game. But Pro Bowl wide receiver Eric Moulds has just five receptions in three games and Bills quarterback Rob Johnson wants to get him going.’

‘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."’