Two Bills Drive

‘There are always questions about NFL quarterbacks. For Buffalo’s Rob Johnson, the questions aren’t about his ability, but rather his durability. The fourth-rated passer in the NFL at 100.4 points, the 6-foot-4, 212-pound Johnson also leads the Bills in rushing with 150 yards. "He’s playing smart football mainly because he’s holding the ball and not throwing interceptions," Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas said. "That’s what turns games around. It’s not the sacks." Unfortunately for Johnson, he’s been knocked out of five of his 13 career starts heading into Sunday’s 1 p.m. game against the Dolphins at Pro Player Stadium.’

‘The Dolphins got good news regarding some injured players Friday as coach Dave Wannstedt said middle linebacker Zach Thomas and left tackle Richmond Webb will start Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Wannstedt also said receiver Tony Martin will play, although he might not start.’

‘Now, even though deep threat Tony Martin is expected to return Sunday against Buffalo, it’s Gadsden who’s emerged as Fiedler’s go-to guy for an offense that ranks last in the NFL in passing (145 yards a game). "Oronde is the guy," Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said. "There’s nobody that I have more confidence in."’

‘Buffalo week cannot end without a sellout. The Dolphins game sold out and will be on WPEC-12. There is a chance the Bills could return some tickets today.’

‘In their first five games, the Dolphins impressed everyone but themselves while fashioning a 4-1 record and becoming the stingiest defensive team in the NFL, allowing an average of only 7.7 points per game. Unlike last season, when they also started 4-1 and stood 7-1 at midseason before collapsing with only two victories over the second half, there was no controversy. Until this week. Remember, this is hurricane season in South Florida. This week, Dolphins running back Thurman Thomas interrupted the calm before the storm of Sunday’s Buffalo game by unleashing his verbal fury at his former team in general and three players in particular. Thomas, the Houston native who played at Willowridge High School, spilled his guts, and it was apparent he’s still bitter about the way Buffalo treated him during the offseason. Like his longtime teammates, defensive end Bruce Smith and receiver Andre Reed, Thomas was a cornerstone in the Bills’ four Super Bowl teams. They were unceremoniously dumped in the offseason when management elected to use the cap dollars they would save on younger players. Thomas, 34, didn’t want to hang up his cleats and retire to Houston, where he resides in the offseason. He did what Buffalo fans considered unthinkable — he signed with the hated Dolphins, the Bills’ most despised AFC East rival.’

‘If Zach Thomas can not play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills — and there was a story in Thursday’s Miami Herald indicating that was a distinct possibility — the chances of a Dolphins victory are greatly reduced.’

‘There have been several changes with the Miami Dolphins, but one thing has remained the same. The Dolphins’ defense is still among the best in the NFL.’

‘If you buy a ticket off the street for the Oct. 15 Buffalo Bills game against San Diego, it might not get you into Ralph Wilson Stadium. And if you put up a fuss, you’re in for a run-in with some extra security personnel the Bills are stationing in Section 309. Fifty tickets were stolen when a purse was grabbed from a car parked at Main Street and West Oakwood Place, Buffalo police said Thursday. The tickets, incentive gifts for Burger King managers from Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, were being carried by an employee of Carroll’s Corp. They have since been canceled and reissued to the rightful holders.’

‘Zach Thomas gave a thumbs-up signal Thursday as he walked off the practice field, but left it to Miami Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt to update his status for Sunday’s game against Buffalo. "Unless something drastic happens (today), he’ll be in there starting," Wannstedt said of Thomas. "I was real encouraged by how he moved around today."’

‘The Bills are going through the same identity crisis as the Dolphins. Each game brings the same question: What’s it like without . . . Thurman Thomas? Andre Reed? Bruce Smith? For the first time since 1984 it’s not Buffalo week like the old Buffalo weeks. The Bills do not have Smith, their all-time leading sacker, Thomas, their all-time leading rusher, and Reed, their all-time leading receiver. Twenty times Webb has played against the Bills in his career, and he allowed 12.5 sacks to Smith, who is now with Washington. "He’s just the complete player," Webb said. "You had to study him on every play." Not any more. The Bills released Smith and Thomas on Feb. 10, the day after they let Reed go. "I think all three of those guys made a big contribution to this team for a long, long time," Buffalo coach Wade Phillips said. "We’re trying to find people who can fill in, not just take their place."’

‘Through four games, Moulds has been the go-to receiver, but McDaniel has been the most dangerous receiver with 11 catches for 244 yards and two TDs. His 22.2-yard average per reception ranks second in the AFC and sixth in the NFL. "He was doing things like that last year in practice, giving the defense good looks on the scout team," said Moulds. "It was just a matter of him getting a chance to play and making the most of the opportunities he gets. "His strength is unbelievable. He can break tackles. He worked out with me in the off-season and I just told him to go out there and play relaxed because when you play relaxed you play better and you don’t make as many mistakes and that’s what he’s doing."’

‘The Dolphins’ run defense has been lacking at times this season. Especially at Cincinnati on Sunday, when the Bengals gained 191 yards on 35 carries. This Sunday the Dolphins take on Buffalo at 1 p.m. at Pro Player Stadium. Though the Bills have had problems running the ball, the Dolphins have no doubt about what is coming. “It doesn’t matter,” Dolphins defensive end Rich Owens said, referring to the Bills running backs averaging 3.0 yards per carry – 3.7 if quarterback Rob Johnson is factored in. “They are going to run the ball. They are going to pound it. They are going to hand the ball off, we know that.”

‘Thomas, who was unsure about how he would do before practice, didn’t talk to reporters after practice. However, when one reporter flashed a thumbs up/thumbs down sign at Thomas as he walked off the field after practice, Thomas gave a thumbs up.’

‘Dolphins middle linebacker Zach Thomas practiced Thursday for the first time since spraining his ankle 10 days earlier and should start in Sunday’s game against Buffalo at Pro Player Stadium. "Unless something drastic happens tomorrow, he’ll be in there starting from what I’ve seen today," Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said after Thursday’s practice. "We’ll see what happens, but I was real encouraged by how he moved around today."’

‘Because of the flooding in South Florida from earlier this week, the NFL granted the Dolphins a one-day extension toward lifting the local television blackout for the Bills game. Although 1,000 tickets must be sold by 1 p.m. today for the game to air locally, a sellout is expected.’