Two Bills Drive

‘If ever there was a time for the Bills’ young stars to shine, Sunday against the Miami Dolphins is it. Winning on the road is never easy, and when you’re playing at the home of your most fierce rival, the challenge becomes even more daunting. But big-time games call for big-time performances. When it comes to the Bills versus Dolphins, it doesn’t get much bigger than that. Regardless of your current opinion of Thurman Thomas in light of his recent comments, there’s no denying that games like this are what defined his greatness as a Bill. The same goes for Bruce Smith and Andre Reed, who always got fired up to play the Dolphins. Now is the time for the Bills’ new stars to rise to the occasion the way the old ones did.’

‘One of the coaches on the Miami Dolphins’ staff thinks the Buffalo Bills had a bit of a psychological edge on the Dolphins last season. The Bills beat Miami twice in ’99. "In all honesty, we thought they intimidated us," Miami tight ends coach Pat Jones told the Miami Herald. "We thought they out-toughed us. I hate to admit it, but we felt that at times." Jones, who was Thurman Thomas’ college coach at Oklahoma State, thinks the ex-Bill helps the Dolphins combat that attitude this year. The Bills weren’t quick to buy into the perception. "We were really playing well on defense both times we played them last year," said safety Henry Jones. "We really made some good plays and took it to them. That might be where he’s coming from. If I remember correctly, we ran the ball pretty well the second time we played them. I think especially when our offense is running the ball well, and when we’re playing like we can on defense, we’re a physical team."’

‘Around the Buffalo Bills locker room and practice field, it is known simply as Miami week. No further explanation or incentive is required as the 2-2 Bills prepare for a trip Sunday to Pro Player Stadium to meet the 4-1 Miami Dolphins.’

‘"I wish I got a call from (Buffalo owner) Ralph Wilson or something like that," Thomas said. "I never got the opportunity to say bye or wish everybody well. You play there 12 years and you think this is where I’m going to finish my career. . . . I wished it happened better than it did. I would’ve loved to go out like Jim Kelly or Steve Tasker or Kent Hull. I felt like I was embarrassed, not getting a phone call from Mr. Wilson or from people in the organization until a week after I was released."’

‘Even before the rain, the groundskeepers at Pro Player Stadium knew this was going to be a crazy week. They had only six days after the Marlins’ season finale to rip out the field and lay down 70,000 square feet of new grass — transported from Greg Norman’s turf farm in Avon Park — in time for the Dolphins’ game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Then it started to rain Monday. And it kept raining for 30 hours. By Tuesday night, nearly 14 inches had fallen, leaving the field looking like it would need swimming lap markers, not yard lines. By Wednesday afternoon, though — thanks to a $1 million drainage system and more than 30 workers sharing shifts that went around the clock — the transformation was on track.’

‘"I’ve talked to John," Wilson said. "We had a brief conversation and I said we’ll talk about renewing his contract when he’s ready. "Whenever that is, I’ll gladly sit down with him and hopefully we can come to an agreement." Butler, on a scouting trip to Florida and unavailable for comment, is unlikely to be actively seeking another NFL job. The Chicago native has a daughter in high school, strong ties in the western New York community, passionate feelings for the team and a very good relationship with Wilson, the club’s 81-year-old patriarch. While not as close to coach Wade Phillips as he was to his predecessor Marv Levy, he has worked effectively with Phillips the past two seasons to field playoff teams. However, there is valid speculation that Phillips would welcome more authority were Butler to depart.’

‘In a conference call yesterday with Western New York media, Thomas — the new Mouth of the South — said he is no longer angry with former teammates Phil Hansen, Henry Jones and John Holecek, the people he called out earlier in the week. Instead, the new target of his ill-will is Wilson, the soon-to-be 82-year-old patriarch of the Bills. The source of Thomas’ feelings is that Wilson never spoke to him personally after the Bills cut him and fellow long-time superstars Andre Reed and Bruce Smith last Feb. 10 in a historic salary-cap purging. Wilson did write Thomas a glowing letter, thanking him for all he had done for team — he played 12 seasons and is the Bills all-time leading rusher. But Thomas felt he deserved more.’

‘Dolphins players concede the Buffalo Bills are the most physical and perhaps most intense opponent on their schedule from year to year. But now there is a question whether the Bills actually intimidate the Dolphins. "Well, in all honesty, we thought at times last year they intimidated us," Dolphins tight ends coach Pat Jones said. "We thought they out-toughed us at times. You hate to admit it, but we felt that at times."’

‘The Bills move the ball better than the Dolphins. Much better. They rank No. 10 overall in the league in offense, compared to No. 27 for the Dolphins. Buffalo just has problems scoring. Those problems can lead to losses. On Sunday, the Bills (2-2) lost 18-16 to Indianapolis at home, getting beat when the Colts hit a 45-yard field goal as time ran out. The Bills are averaging 18.3 points per game, the lowest of any team with a .500 record or better.’

‘Fullback Rob Konrad, nursing a sprained knee and ankle, and linebacker Zach Thomas, nursing an ankle injury, are unlikely to play against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.’

‘The grounds crews at the Dolphins’ practice facility and at Pro Player Stadium had to work extra hard to get the fields in playing condition after the heavy rains Monday and Tuesday, but both crews seem to have things in order. "That was probably the best part of [Wednesday] was the grounds crew," coach Dave Wannstedt said, "because we didn’t practice the way we needed to. We need to definitely practice better the rest of the week if we’re going to be ready for Buffalo."’

‘"I was getting those when I was playing in Buffalo from Miami fans," Thurman Thomas, on receiving death threats this week from Bills fans.’

‘"I’m not going to lie," Thomas told the Miami Herald back in May. "If there are two games I want to win this year, it’s those two games. I’ve always been an honest person and always spoke my mind. When we play the Bills, it won’t be just another game for me."’

‘A new field at Pro Player Stadium will be ready for Sunday’s game between the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills despite a storm that dumped 14 inches of rain in the area, officials said. Work to put down 70,000 square feet of turf was delayed when the storm hit Monday. The project will be completed on time by working around the clock, said Alan Sigwardt, director of grounds and engineering at Pro Player Stadium.’

‘"I felt like I was embarrassed not getting a phone call from Mr. Wilson," Thomas said Wednesday, referring to Bills owner Ralph Wilson. "I really never got the opportunity to say, ‘Bye,’ or to wish everybody well there. … I just want to hear (Wilson’s) voice and hear him say what happened and how it went down."’