Two Bills Drive

‘[Former Bills linebacker Gabe] Northern compiled 10 1/2 sacks with the Bills, playing mostly at outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He has gained 20 pounds and is now a 260-pound defensive end, although the Vikings have used him at linebacker during practice.’

‘The Vikings average 6.6 yards a first-down play, trailing only the St. Louis Rams (8.3 yards), and Smith is one of the primary reasons. He’s moving piles to gain a few extra yards, and he’s showcasing his inside running skills. Nearly 37 percent of his rushing attempts have gone up the middle, and only seven carries have lost yardage.’

‘Gabe Northern is to ready to show the Buffalo Bills what they’re missing. "It’s like when you break up with your girlfriend," [explained] Northern, who spent 1996-99 with the Bills. "You want to get a better girlfriend to show her she should have stayed with you."’

‘To best assess Jim Kleinsasser’s contribution to the Vikings this season, gloss right past his statistics. Go straight for Robert Smith’s numbers. While Kleinsasser has touched the ball few times this season, the 6-foot-3, 280-pound fullback is clearing the way for Smith, who has three 100-yard rushing games and is fifth in the NFL in rushing yardage. "Fullbacks in the (NFL) just don’t carry the ball much, they block and Jimmy is doing a very good job of what he’s supposed to be doing," coach Dennis Green said. "I love what he’s doing for us."’

‘The Bills have done as good a job as any team in dealing with the salary cap, but even they may be finally paying the piper for all the good times of the last decade.’

‘Although there had been times since when he publicly questioned his demotion, Flutie made every effort to defuse any hint of a quarterback controversy on Wednesday. "I’m the backup and that’s the way it is," he said when asked if he might remain the starter.’

‘Christie, who has two children, was going through marital difficulties last year. "I think last year pretty much culminated into a situation where I was pretty miserable," he said. "It was hard to get my mind right for games. But I think at this point it’s a lot better."’

‘Coach Wade Phillips said Spriggs will remain a starter at right tackle when the Bills travel to Minnesota Sunday to take on the unbeaten Vikings. "I thought Marcus came in and did a good job for us," Phillips said this week. "He’s not perfect yet certainly, and we all got to get better. But he came in and did some good things for us, and I expect him to get better and better as he plays more."’

‘Homeless people got a boost from Buffalo Bills tight end Jay Riemersma and Mayor Anthony M. Masiello on Tuesday morning at the launch of the Buffalo City Mission’s second fall fund-raising campaign. Masiello proclaimed this week Buffalo City Mission Week, as the campaign sets a $1.2 million goal, a $200,000 increase over last year. Riemersma has agreed to be spokesman for the campaign, fueled by the motto "Restore hope, dignity and lives."’

‘[Ed McDaniel’s] back home, where his heart’s always been. Namely at weak-side linebacker — where he began his career — after two seasons playing in the middle. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that everything else has fallen into place, too. Call it a harmonic convergence. "This is fun, all the way around," McDaniel said.’

‘It has been three seasons and two teams since Vikings guard Corbin Lacina played in Buffalo. But he still knows enough of Bills to be looking forward to Sunday’s game. Lacina played in Buffalo from 1994 to ’97 before going to Carolina for a season then coming to the Vikings. "It will make it a little more fun out there," Lacina said. "There are a lot of guys I know, guys I practiced against. Look at [defensive end] Phil Hanson and [nose tackle] Ted Washington. And linebacker John Holecek. Those guys are still there, and those are the guys we’ll be going against. There will be some trash talking."’

‘With an average margin of victory of only about seven points, every game has been in question well into the fourth quarter.’

‘The Vikings don’t feel they would have effectively been able to move John Randle from defensive tackle to end without the flexibility of John Burrough. And now that nickel-package defensive end Bryce Paup will be out for six weeks with a fracture in his right knee, Burrough’s versatility also may save the Vikings a headache. "There’s no question, John is versatile, and it has helped us," Vikings defensive line coach Fred vonAppen said. "We feel he can play anywhere on the line and play effectively."’

‘Defensive end Bryce Paup will be out for six weeks with a fracture in his right knee.’

‘Phillips still stubbornly maintains that while Johnson was hit and sacked too much “it wasn’t all the offensive line, certainly.” He then pointed out that a “young guy” (probably running back Jonathan Linton) had missed a protection on the game’s first sack. But what about all the other hits on Buffalo QBs? It defies logic that the offensive line can’t be held accountable, especially since the Bills have rushed for more than 100 yards in only two of six games this season.’