Two Bills Drive

‘Halfway through the 2000 season, it has become obvious that a team doesn’t lose that many veterans – including seven starters – without feeling the pinch.

‘This is what the great Buffalo quarterback controversy has come to: walking toward Ralph Wilson Stadium before the Jets game last Sunday, fans stopped by a radio booth to pick up an election sign for their candidate.’

‘Yesterday on Jim Rome’s syndicated national talk show, Rob Johnson — who has refused to speak with the local media this week — insinuated that it was Flutie who gave derogatory remarks about him anonymously to a Sports Illustrated writer.’

‘However, even the confident Morris couldn’t have envisioned that by the midway point of his rookie NFL season he would be the primary running back in the Buffalo offense.’

‘Flutie confronted Johnson at practice after Johnson went on Jim Rome’s nationally syndicated radio show and accused Flutie of taking shots at him in Sports Illustrated.’

‘Once again, it looks like Kevin Faulk will be asked to carry the Patriots’ running game.’

‘"I don’t think there’s any lack of respect for Doug Flutie on our football team – I don’t think that at all. Nobody has said that. Would we like to play well against him? Yeah. Would we like to hit him a couple of times and slow him down and keep him from running around? Sure. Every team in the league would probably want to do it. That’s my take on the comments."’

‘After watching Eric Bjornson for eight games as the Patriots’ No. 1 tight end, coach Bill Belichick shifted the veteran to a new position – the bench.’

‘John Hannah may be the best Patriot ever, or someday Bledsoe will be. But Flutie is the most revered New England football player ever.’

‘Every time Patriots coach Bill Belichick tries to look at Buffalo linebacker Sam Cowart, he sees Bills nose tackle Ted Washington.’

‘"They’re cheering for Flutie, but not really for the Bills," Eaton said with a smile. "They’ll go ‘Nice hit, uh, tough for Doug’. They’ll get over it.”

‘This week, amiable, approachable, snuff-dippin’ offensive guard Todd Rucci got whacked as Bill Belichick continued his scorched-earth approach to revamping his roster.’

‘[Patriots Coach Bill Belichick says that] "I think once [Flutie] gets out of the pocket and can really improvise and can scramble to run or scramble to throw that he is really at his best element, and defensively you’re probably in your worst, that’s probably the worst case scenario because he’s so much better at that, then defenses are at defending it."

‘After a murderous first-half schedule, the Buffalo Bills get a break of sorts, starting Sunday in Foxboro.’

‘Halfway through the 2000 season, the Buffalo Bills stand 4-4, looking up at the co-leaders in the AFC East. Breaking down their performance over the first half of the schedule position by position, that looks about right.’