Two Bills Drive

‘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.’

‘Minnesota Vikings pass-rushing specialist Bryce Paup is expected to miss six to eight weeks because of a fracture in his right leg.’

‘For the sixth straight week in which they’ve played this season, Bills games have been the most-watched program in Buffalo.’

‘The normally accessible Flutie did not make himself available to the media Monday as he was locked away in a room at the Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse studying film. There are a number of ways to look at why Flutie wasn’t around to talk about getting his first start since Week 15 of last season. Is there so much concern about facing the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings on Sunday that more film work is needed, or is he so motivated to succeed that he couldn’t break away for even a few minutes? Or could it be that Flutie doesn’t want to come off as being insensitive about starting at the expense of a fallen teammate? Whatever the case, the job is his. How he handles it will have a huge bearing on how the rest of the Bills’ season plays out.’

‘Week after week, the offensive linemen have botched their assignments, leaving Johnson exposed to unimpeded rushers. What Brown seemed to be saying was, we’re tired of it. Give us some blocking schemes that don’t get abused. Last week, Eric Moulds asked for Joe Pendry’s offense to be simplified. It was a clear sign of discontent simmering within the offense. Brown’s outburst, which embarrassed the coaching staff in front of 72,000 fans and a TV audience, was a more dramatic cry for help. Phillips can laugh it off all he wants. I doubt Johnson is laughing.’

‘After being held to two sacks in the previous three games, the Bills recorded four in the 27-24 overtime win over San Diego on Sunday. The Bills moved Marcellus Wiley from right defensive end to the left side and put rookie Erik Flowers at right end in the nickel defense. The result was a career-high two sacks for Wiley, while Flowers recorded his first as a pro.’

‘"Offensively, with Doug Flutie, I think they are going to recommit themselves to running the football," Vikings coach Dennis Green said. "I think Doug likes the running game with the play-action pass. We’re going to have to work extremely hard in that area this week."’

‘Should the Bills (3-3) upset the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings (6-0) on the road Sunday, then get past the New York Jets (5-1) at home the following week, and the offense is humming under Flutie, Phillips will be faced with a decision to make, just like he was in 1998. The big difference is that Johnson is much more entrenched as the starter and Flutie could be a salary cap cut after this season anyway.’