Two Bills Drive

‘Eric Hicks might be on the field for only 10 or 15 plays, or a fraction of the time the Buffalo Bills have the ball today. The Chiefs still plan on getting a lift from his return.’

‘His face etched with passion and outright ferocity, headphones blaring heavy metal into his ears, the Chiefs’ new starting linebacker is thinking about only one thing: the fury he’s about to dispense on his opponent.’

‘Before this season began, there were people in the Chiefs organization who whispered — quietly, very quietly — that the team just might have a better defense without Derrick Thomas.’

‘There are people who fervently believe everything happens for a reason. Last Sunday in San Francisco, two of those believers met, violently, at a football game.’

‘A key question: Can a Kansas City defense that yielded 70 points in two straight losses keep a once-potent Chiefs offense within striking distance?’

‘An MRI examination of Mickey Pfleger, the 52-year-old free lance Bay Area photographer, revealed a pre-existing brain tumor doctors believe can be treated because it was detected early enough.’

‘Debate all you want, but here are the numbers that seem to matter most: Johnson is 27, is 6 feet 4, and signed a five-year, $25-million contract in 1998. Flutie is 38, is 5-10, and didn’t.’

‘"I had great adviser in a guy named Phil Simms . . . and also Joe Theismann," Grbac said of the two ex-quarterbacks-turned-broadcasters. "I talked to them when I was hurt and they told me that you’ve got to understand some of the positive things you do and some of your weaknesses. If you can understand some of your weaknesses, you can stay healthy."’

‘Buffalo’s own version of it – Doug Flutie or Rob Johnson – was the subject of the Fox Sports Net program "The Last Word with Jim Rome." It was taped Friday afternoon for airing at 11 p.m. nationally with Buffalo News Sports Editor Larry Felser pro-Johnson and Dan Pompei of the Sporting News pro-Flutie.’

‘Rookie running back Sammy Morris was placed on the early inactive list for the game due to a sprained ankle.’

‘An apologetic Orchard Park handyman was sentenced to six months in jail Friday for planting crack cocaine in the car of a Springville man and was ordered to repay former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly $6,500 for sports memorabilia he stole from his home.’

‘With 199 points, Buffalo is one of just six teams in the NFL this season not to top the 30-point mark at least once.’

‘Shields, who has not missed a game in his eight-year career with the Chiefs, returned to practice Friday, and the Chiefs are confident he’ll start his 122nd consecutive game Sunday.’

‘The Bills returned about 200 tickets for Sunday’s game against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs have them on sale at the Arrowhead box office.’

‘Running back Sammy Morris, who leads the Buffalo Bills with five touchdowns, hasn’t recovered from an ankle injury and will miss Sunday’s game at Kansas City.’