Two Bills Drive

‘Even with debate raging throughout the region and the nation about Bush and Gore, Flutie and Johnson, the networks’ premature evaluation and a coach’s maddening indecision, with the impact of drunken driving arrests thrown in as a wild card, there remains a message everyone can agree on…’

‘Flutie is as smooth as silk, and he has a knack for saying the right things when he wants to. But he also knows how to get under the skin like few players, and he doesn’t hesitate to do it when he feels like it.’

‘Former Buffalo Bills George Saimes and Bob Kalsu will be inducted to the team’s Wall of Fame in ceremonies before the 1 p.m. kickoff of Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.’

‘Verizon Wireless purchased the remaining tickets for Sunday’s game to ensure the local blackout will be lifted.’

‘Four of those 15 – Schulz, Bruce Smith, Thomas Smith and Dusty Zeigler – are starting and making a major contribution to their new teams. Two others – Thurman Thomas and Sean Moran – have contributed regularly in backup roles. The other eight ex-Bills are either out of the NFL or have seen very limited time with their new clubs.’

‘Buffalo Bills quarterback Rob Johnson went whack and smacked Doug Flutie, entering The Jungle in a telephone call last week from B-Lo with Van Smack that led to a story in the fishwraps the next day.’

‘For four seasons, Eric Moulds and Thomas Smith were gunslingers using rubber bullets.’

‘Kaseem Sinceno began his Bears career as the "other" name on the announcement, the player signed the day they traded tight end Alonzo Mayes to the Miami Dolphins. What he is becoming is something the Bears have spent years and draft picks looking for: a tight end who rarely comes off the field.’

‘For the first time since the post-Super Bowl days, the Bears have two players whom opponents are beginning to fear: Brian Urlacher and Mike Brown.’

‘Kennison is playing Bobby Engram’s role as the inside receiver in the Bears’ offense, with statistics not usually associated with a speed receiver–29 receptions for 271 yards (9.3 yards per catch) and a long play of 24 yards.’

‘"It’s a big stadium, (the fans) make a lot of noise and they know when to do it," Jauron said. "The weather is not dissimilar from our weather. In terms of the wind, same kind of wind. It is unpredictable at times and it will swirl. We will have to see what we get on Sunday."’

‘"I think it’s kind of like it was last week in that our goal – and it looks like we’ll be able to do it – is let Rob be the backup quarterback this week," Phillips said. "I think he’ll be ready to do that, and Doug will be the starter."’

‘It didn’t take the Bears long – less than one practice, in fact – to realize that Mike Brown was special.’

‘But is [Thomas] Smith willing to share secrets? "Well, I do know a lot about the defense and the personnel there, so any advice I could give I surely will," he said.’

‘Coach Wade Phillips determined yesterday following practice that Doug Flutie would start for the fourth game in a row Sunday when the Bills host the Chicago Bears at not-yet-soldout Ralph Wilson Stadium.’