Two Bills Drive

‘Doug Flutie will start his third straight game in place of Rob Johnson, who’s injured right shoulder hasn’t fully recovered, Buffalo Bills coach Wade Phillips said Thursday.’

‘Rucci, who was drafted by the Patriots with the 51st overall pick in the 1993 draft with one of the choices acquired from Miami in exchange for Irving Fryar, signed a five-year, $10 million contract with a hefty signing bonus in February 1998. That contract, however, meant little if anything by the close of business Tuesday. The Patriots either had to release Rucci or add him to the roster this week.’

‘Andy Katzenmoyer’s season ended yesterday when the New England Patriots placed the second-year linebacker on injured reserve.’

‘But when it comes to adroitly tap-dancing through the minefield that is Rob Johnson vs. Doug Flutie (aka, Gidget vs. The Midget), Phillips is nimble as an aircraft carrier.’

‘Rob Johnson returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since separating his shoulder 2 1/2 weeks ago. While he could not have played a game on Wednesday, it appears he will be able to start – if asked – next week against the Chicago Bears.’

‘Media-generated? The controversy is media-driven only in the sense that we are obligated to chronicle everything Phillips says in public, no matter how convoluted or inane.’

‘"You had to go away from the smashmouth to more the cutback, bounce-outside style runners. And the two young guys have done a good job with it. Not that the other guys can’t or wouldn’t . . . and those two guys have probably caught more passes this year already because our offense has changed."’

‘The Gnohoue kids remain in awe of Washington, listed in the Bills media guide as 6 feet, 5 inches and 330 pounds. "Il est tres grand," Simon marveled. Yes, he is.’

‘"There’s four hours a day of talk shows, people calling up to complain, who should start, who shouldn’t start," Flutie said. "The second you lose a game they want to kill themselves. Or we win and they come to work on Monday and it makes their week. "It’s my job. Football is important to me. It’s my livelihood. But to the average fan, come on, try to enjoy the games for crying out loud. It’s football. It’s entertainment. It’s fun. Be crazy on Sunday, but don’t let it ruin your life.’

‘Rob Johnson, out two games with a separated right throwing shoulder, returned to practice yesterday in pads and threw the ball well, but said afterward it’s not likely he’d be ready to start this Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.’

‘How can the Buffalo Bills be 2 1/2-point underdogs Sunday against the struggling New England Patriots? The fact that Buffalo and lowly Arizona and San Diego are the only teams without a road win this NFL season probably has something to do with it.’

‘Get a life, Western New York. Anytime soon would be nice. The quarterback battle between Flutie and Rob Johnson is the story here. It’s bigger than the U.S. Presidential race. Bigger than the health-care question. If God himself returned on the morrow and great mountains fell into sea, if pestilence descended upon the world, Bob from East Amherst would still be on the line wondering if Flutie should get the start.’

‘"Like I said last year, and every time we play this guy, he’s the guy who adds the extra element as far as being able to ad lib with his legs. With Flutie, the play is never over until the whistle blows. It’s kind of like sandlot football out there."’

‘Yes, the Patriots have some concern about Flutie’s elusiveness, but don’t think the Bills aren’t worried about Bledsoe and his receivers. That’s because Buffalo ranks 16th in the NFL in pass defense.’

‘After a 1998 season in which he silenced many of his critics with gutsy play and a pair of comeback wins, Bledsoe came out flying in 1999. When the Pats hit their bye date after Week 8, Bledsoe had the stats (13 touchdowns, four interceptions) and the swagger of a Pro Bowl quarterback. Since then, he’s won four games.’