Two Bills Drive

‘Doesn’t a team that touted itself as Super Bowl contenders two months ago have high enough personal expectations to expect to be booed when it plays like the Bengals? Mr. Ostroski, your line couldn’t execute a successful block on "Hollywood Squares" right now, and you have the audacity to berate the fans for daring to express with pursed lips the painfully obvious opinion that you guys might set a league record for number of quarterbacks killed in one season? Doug Flutie might be a magician on his feet, but he’ll need a Star Trek transporter to disappear from the onslaught of pass rushers if he’s to survive until Johnson’s shoulder is healthy again.’

‘If the Bills thought the Chargers’ wideouts were tough, wait until they get a load of what the Minnesota Vikings have in store for them on Sunday. All-Pro wide receivers Randy Moss and Cris Carter might be the most difficult challenge of the season for the Bills’ defense. "They’re explosive. They can make big plays at any time," Bills coach Wade Phillips said. "I think trying to take away the big play certainly is the key to slowing them down some."’

‘According to teammates, Flutie was very vocal in practice Wednesday. For the first time in a long while, he was enjoying the game.’

‘The Bills might be best served in a two-quarterback system, because defensive co-ordinators couldn’t possibly prepare for the drop-back Johnson and the scrambling Flutie. That’s a question for later, though. Currently, his teammates are looking for a little abracadabra. "I just play football," Flutie said. "I have to play this game a certain way, because of my size. I do what I do. If that motivates people, great."’

‘"Doug’s the consummate pro," [Bills coach Wade] Phillips said. "He’s ready to play at any time. That’s the great thing about Doug. You can’t count on him to be ready, and I think he’ll be ready [on Sunday]." Flutie said that being thrust into overtime last week was nerve-racking until the moment the ball was snapped. "I feel fine stepping in," he said. "I had some doubts on the sideline, but it’s like riding a bike. You step in there, get your reads and go."’

‘Six games into the season, rookie Sammy Morris is the undisputed chair of the Buffalo Bills running back committee. His 5.5 yards-per-carry average is nearly double that of his closest peer, and he’s the team’s designated fullback no less. Still, coach Wade Phillips has no plans to disband the use of three running backs per game and make this Sammy’s Show. Not yet anyway.’

‘Fact is, everyone from defensive coordinator Emmitt Thomas on down is preaching the need for more turnovers, either by land (fumbles) or by air (interceptions). So far, the Vikings have forced seven. Frankly, more need to come.’

‘[Q:] How often do referees get pass interference calls wrong? [A:] With us, all the time. Against Chicago [last Sunday night] we should’ve had five called our way. We never get calls; we go into every game thinking that if there are 10 calls we should get, we might get three of them.’

‘[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."’