Two Bills Drive

‘For a change, the cliche fit the plot-line — literally. The nine points the Miami defense put up in the second half proved the difference as the Dolphins ran their record to 5-1 Sunday with a 22-13 win over the Buffalo Bills…’

‘RB Thurman Thomas on having words with Bills LB John Holecek: "I’m sure John was probably going at me with a little extra than some of the other guys. I wasn’t going out there looking for John until he said something to me and that’s when it really got going. From that point on, I was really looking forward to getting a shot at him and letting him know that I was out there on the football field."’

‘The Dolphins employed a six-man rotation up front to keep the pressure on Johnson. Wannstedt used a Kenny Mixon-Tim Bowens-Jermaine Haley-Jason Taylor line on run downs, bringing Armstrong and Rich Owens off the bench on passing downs. He also slid Owens and Mixon up and down the line.’

‘"I think we’ll be all right, (but) we have to correct ourselves," said Johnson, who was sacked five times, nailed on the chin, which caused him to see stars, and crushed on his right elbow, which ultimately chased him from the game. "The season’s not over yet. I think we can go on a run." These Bills may have to if they are to rise from the canvas in the NFL’s nasty AFC East.’

‘After starter Rob Johnson was forced out with an elbow injury late in the second half of the Buffalo Bills’ 22-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins, Flutie saw his first regular-season action since being "rested" for the final game of the 1999 season. That infamous move by coach Wade Phillips ultimately cost Flutie his first-string job, as Johnson took over as starter for the playoffs and the start of the 2000 season. "It was fun, the first live action all year," said Flutie, who completed three of six passes for 44 yards and had one interception when the ball bounced off receiver Eric Moulds’ hands. "I felt comfortable."’

‘If Hollywood ever makes, The Thurman Thomas Story, it’ll be about a Houston running back who leaves the state to go to college, is livid when he’s passed up in the draft by his hometown team, uses his second-round status as incentive to become one of the best in history at his position, plays in four Super Bowls, gets unceremoniously dumped after 12 years, signs with his former team’s most hated rival, rips players on his former team before the big game and helps his new team pull out a victory.’

‘While the Bills’ defense played another strong game, it was the Miami defense that made the biggest plays as it recorded a safety and a fumble return touchdown, providing nine points that proved to be exactly the difference as the Dolphins defeated the slumping Bills 22-13.’

‘Phillips refused to take his offensive line to task, even though it was plain for everyone to see that the difference in this game between evenly-matched AFC East rivals was the way the Dolphins’ defensive line manhandled the Bills’ offensive line.’

‘Thomas had gotten a game ball from coach Dave Wannstedt, not because of his seven carries for 24 yards or his three catches for 26, but because it made the statement, "You’re one of us now Thurman, and we’re glad for it."’

‘Given the struggles of the running game, why Joe Pendry called that silly running play to Linton at the 1-yard-line is a mystery. The Dolphins stuffed it easily and came away with a key two-point safety. How about a simple, quick out-pattern to Moulds or Peerless Price, or even a quick dump pass to Linton or Morris.’

‘Miami’s Thurman Thomas wasn’t the only departed 1999 Buffalo Bills player to have a productive afternoon yesterday…’

‘Rob Johnson told the story of this game as he walked off the field. His jersey was untucked and ripped in places where Dolphins defenders spent the afternoon grabbing at him. His white pants were peppered with dried blood, and his elbow was iced inside an Ace bandage that ran the length of his right arm.’

‘Challenged with the most furious display of downfield passing they have seen in a month, the Dolphins’ secondary took some shots but also responded with one game-clinching play and one crucial series. "They came after us," Dolphins strong safety Brian Walker said of Buffalo’s passing attack. That’s probably the most anybody has tried to throw downfield on us."’

‘Events leading to the Dolphins’ 22-13 victory at Pro Player Stadium more than justified Miami’s growing confidence in Haley. Haley plugged the middle admirably and contributed to Buffalo’s anemic 76-yard rushing total.’

‘"I know I didn’t make a lot of plays," Thomas said. "But I made enough plays to help us win and that’s what’s important."’