Two Bills Drive

‘Indianapolis Colts punter Hunter Smith is making people forget his disappointing rookie season. "I feel like a completely different punter,” he said. "It’s been an absolutely 180 degree turnaround." Three games into the season, Smith ranks first in the NFL with an average of 52.5 yards per punt. Even better is his league-leading net average of 42.1 yards.’

‘If last weekend’s Jets-Buccaneers showdown was the trash talking game of the year in the NFL, this weekend’s Bills-Colts showdown might be the opposite. Call it the Mutual Admiration Bowl…So it goes when the first big AFC East game of the season is on tap. This isn’t a non-conference game devoid of postseason tie-breaker implications, like last Sunday’s New York-Tampa affair. The Bills and Colts know this game is too important to allow any headlines to get posted on bulletin boards.’

‘The Buffalo Bills rank 13th in passing yards per game and 25th in yards per rushing attempt through three games. Statistics, in this case, don’t lie. Coach Wade Phillips acknowledged Wednesday he thinks his offense will be more effective passing than rushing this season. "I think we’re going to be more of a passing team this year," Phillips said. "I think we’re going to be able to move the ball through the air efficiently. With the players we have this year, that’s where we’re going. . . . I think everybody can see that we’re stronger throwing the ball, and I think we’re stronger at this point certainly than where we were last year. "I think we have to run more running plays off the passing game, rather than vice versa."’

‘When the Bills (2-1) host the high-powered Indianapolis Colts (2-1) Sunday, quarterback Rob Johnson will be missing one of his favorite receivers in Riemersma, a sure-handed 6-5 target who created great mismatches in the opponents’ secondary. If the game turns into a shootout between Manning and Johnson, the second- and third-ranked passers in the NFL, Buffalo’s hoping the dropoff between Riemersma and Collins is closer to stepping off a curb than a cliff. "He’s a great athlete, but he’s young," Johnson said of the 6-4, 250-pound Collins. "Jay’s the starter and one of the best tight ends in the league. Bobby’s been working hard, though. He realizes this is a great opportunity. But he’s got to get ready for a whole game instead of just spot play."’

‘"(Last week) felt like the first week of training camp where you were a fraction of a second later than what you want to be on that throw, or you were seeing everything but thinking a little too much," said Flutie, who received final medical clearance after a positive MRI result Tuesday. "Today was night and day from last week. I think I’ve played long enough that that (rustiness) is not really an issue."’

‘Running back Lennox Gordon was signed by the Indianapolis Colts off their practice squad on Wednesday. Gordon signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills last year and played in eight games, accumulating 38 yards on 11 carries. He also had one kickoff return for 11 yards.’

‘If you’re going to double-up on star receiver Marvin Harrison, you better not forget about Terrence Wilkins. Jacksonville did on Monday night, and Wilkins had a career night – catching nine passes for 148 yards and a touchdown in the Colts’ 43-14 rout.’

‘Catching the ball has always been the easy part for Jerome Pathon. But there is so much more to being a productive wide receiver than that. Assigned routes must be run precisely and consistently. Alternate routes must be learned and adjusted to at a moment’s notice, when necessary. Downfield blocking on running plays is an unattractive, but necessary, part of the job. Perhaps most importantly with Pathon, a relationship with the quarterback must be built, so timing and trust can be developed. After a frustrating 1999 season when he basically dropped off the map, the athletically gifted wide receiver is showing signs of fulfilling the potential he flashed as a rookie with the Indianapolis Colts in ’98. He’s making the catches, sure. But he’s also where he’s supposed to be, and when. And in many instances, the catch has been the beginning of the play, not the end. It might be a little early to say Pathon has arrived, but it’s not too early to say he’s on his way. After catching 14 passes in 10 games last season — and not playing at all in four others — Pathon has come out quickly this year with 11 receptions for 183 yards in three games.’

‘[Abdul-Karim] Al-Jabbar saw limited action in the opener at Kansas City. But soreness and swelling in his right knee have kept him out of the past two games. He’s listed as "doubtful” on the NFL’s injury report, but coach Jim Mora basically ruled him out of Sunday’s game at Buffalo. "It’s kind of a day-to-day thing, but I would say he’s out for this game," he said.’

‘I have been critical of the fan support the Colts receive in this city. I’ve always said we have great fans here, just not enough of them. And based on your responses, most people agree with me. But on Monday evening I experienced a quiet, reflective, pregame moment where I just sat, smiled, and thought to myself that this city is really starting to "get it".’

‘And that focus and intensity again will be the difference this weekend when Indianapolis visits Buffalo, where it has not won since 1994. Especially against a quarterback such as Rob Johnson, who is agile enough to lead the Bills in rushing this season. "We’re facing a similar type of quarterback as we did last week," coach Jim Mora said. "He’s an athletic-type quarterback that is tough to bring down."’

‘Before Flutie tore a groin muscle in July, Buffalo Bills head coach Wade Phillips suggested using Flutie in certain situations in place of starter Rob Johnson. With Flutie expected to be promoted to No. 2 quarterback for this Sunday’s game against Indianapolis, Phillips didn’t sound all that certain about sticking to his original plan. "We have to play that by ear," Phillips said on Wednesday. "Certainly, I think he can help you. I think he’s a guy that can come in and spark-plug you."’

‘"I think we’re going to be more of a passing team this year. That’s what it looks like to me," Phillips said on Wednesday. "I think we’re going to be able to move the ball through the air efficiently."’

‘After spending the first three weeks of the season as the third-string quarterback because of a groin injury, Flutie has moved ahead of Alex Van Pelt on the depth chart. Flutie began working with the second-team offense last week, and his workload will likely increase this week as the Bills prepare for Sunday’s AFC East showdown against the Indianapolis Colts at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘Smith got the ball 18 times per game in 1998 when he ran for a career-high 1,124 yards, but averaged just 10 carries last season. "For me, I feel like I really wasn’t getting a fair opportunity at it," Smith said. "The last game, I only had five carries. Thirty carries (actually 34) in three games. . . . I guess that’s enough carries to do your job. I guess."’