Two Bills Drive

‘With Larry Felser, it’s always an opinionated day. A columnist and sports editor for the Buffalo News, Felser was among 11 inductees to the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame Thursday night. He had a stint as a ball boy with the original All-America Conference and began his newspaper career running copy at the Courier-Express. In 1959, he began covering the Buffalo Bills, then of the new American Football League. For 18 years, Felser provided daily coverage of the Bills, moving to columnist with The Buffalo News in 1977.’

‘No player symbolizes the 2000 Al Groh Jets in a more complete way than Richie Anderson. He’s diligent in his preparation, explosive and dependable in his production and so quiet he goes by almost unnoticed by even the most ardent of Jet fans.’

‘[Marcus] Coleman has three interceptions, all in the last game against Miami, with two coming in overtime. [Aaron] Glenn has two picks, and is hungry for more.’

‘"He’s playing as well as he’s ever played, no question," said Flutie, who will start for the Bills Sunday in place of injured starter Rob Johnson. "It just kills me, because I remember the last time we were playing [the Jets], everybody was complaining that he wasn’t playing consistently and lighting it up. Now that he’s coming off a five-touchdown game, it sounds like you [reporters] love him again."’

‘After the Jets’ free safeties were victimized in three of the Dolphins’ four touchdowns in Monday night’s thriller, Williams, Scott Frost and Chris Hayes have been getting reps at the position in practice this week. As is his wont, Groh was mum on who the starter will be on Sunday in Buffalo.’

‘Let’s hear it for Wayne Chrebet. You won’t hear it from him. The guy isn’t just a clutch receiver, he’s a great clutch receiver. A good receiver makes clutch catches by accident; a great one does it over and over again.’

‘Prediction: Jets 17, Bills 16.’

‘Bills coach Wade Phillips echoed that sentiment when asked about the Moulds-Coleman matchup. "I don’t want to overlook Aaron Glenn because he’s also a tremendous player," Phillips said. "Two corners like that can take a lot of things away. The Jets put them in man-to-man with no help, really. Not many teams have the luxury of doing that."’

‘And if the Jets need to pull another game out, who’s next on the list to do the unexpected? "You never know," [Jumbo] Elliott said.’

‘Victor Green has a pretty good feel for Jets karma – after all, he has been on the scene since 1993 – and he believes the remarkable start is a harbinger of something truly special. As in, Super special. “Hey, the sky’s the limit,” the Jets’ strong safety said yesterday at Hofstra. “I hope it takes us all the way to Tampa (for Super Bowl XXXV). Hopefully, we can continue to have the magic. If we do, we can take it as far as we let it.”‘

‘Jets coach Al Groh, unhappy with the play of his safeties, seems prepared to make a lineup change for Sunday’s game against the Bills (3-4). It’s believed starting FS Kevin Williams will be replaced by Scott Frost, who came off the bench in the last two games. Special teams star Chris Hayes, who has been waiting for his shot on defense, also is practicing at free safety this week and he could split time with Frost in the game.’

‘Bills’ coach Wade Phillips is hoping his team can take advantage of any Jets fatigue. "It was an unbelievable game," Phillips said of the Jets’ comeback over Miami. "I watched until it was 30-7. I expected to see (the Jet loss result) in the paper and it wasn’t there. Of course, I thought Dewey won, too. "It was great win, a great game. I’ve looked at the film a bunch of times and even though we have it on tape it’s still amazing what they did, scoring 30 points in one quarter. "I’ve said all along the Jets have tremendous leaders with tremendous heart on their football team and it shows," Phillips went on. "And, of course Al Groh has done a great job coaching them."’

‘Coleman had three interceptions Monday night, two of them on the same drive in overtime (he fumbled one away). The last one led to John Hall’s game-winning field goal. Coleman nearly had a fourth interception, but he dropped a ball earlier in the game. He is now second on the team in interceptions behind Victor Green, who has four. "If I had three picks, I might retire," Glenn said. "They say they come in bunches, so if you have three, you can’t retire, because you might get four and five." That could happen on Sunday because Coleman figures to be defending against the Bills’ go-to receiver, Eric Moulds, when the teams play in Buffalo. Moulds is Buffalo’s leading receiver and has already caught 53 passes for 695 yards. That is almost 20 more receptions than any Jet has. Part of Coleman’s drop in statistics reflects the fact that opposing offenses avoid throwing to his side of the field. But because Moulds is such an integral part of the Buffalo offense, Coleman is confident he will have plenty of work.’

‘When asked whether he felt he could sway Bills coach Wade Phillips with strong play while Johnson is out (likely for at least two more games), Flutie said it was unlikely. "I don’t have any control over that decision," Flutie said. "I’m going to just try to play the best I can play and if it makes it difficult on them to make a decision, great. But I don’t think there’s going to be a decision to be made no matter what I do."’

‘"It just depends on how well they play," Flutie said. "Yes, they had one less day to heal up, so maybe (Wednesday’s) practice was a little bit sluggish, but that’s about it. After that, everything will be back on an even keel and they’ll be ready to go."’