Two Bills Drive

‘For the first time since the post-Super Bowl days, the Bears have two players whom opponents are beginning to fear: Brian Urlacher and Mike Brown.’

‘Kennison is playing Bobby Engram’s role as the inside receiver in the Bears’ offense, with statistics not usually associated with a speed receiver–29 receptions for 271 yards (9.3 yards per catch) and a long play of 24 yards.’

‘"It’s a big stadium, (the fans) make a lot of noise and they know when to do it," Jauron said. "The weather is not dissimilar from our weather. In terms of the wind, same kind of wind. It is unpredictable at times and it will swirl. We will have to see what we get on Sunday."’

‘"I think it’s kind of like it was last week in that our goal – and it looks like we’ll be able to do it – is let Rob be the backup quarterback this week," Phillips said. "I think he’ll be ready to do that, and Doug will be the starter."’

‘It didn’t take the Bears long – less than one practice, in fact – to realize that Mike Brown was special.’

‘But is [Thomas] Smith willing to share secrets? "Well, I do know a lot about the defense and the personnel there, so any advice I could give I surely will," he said.’

‘Coach Wade Phillips determined yesterday following practice that Doug Flutie would start for the fourth game in a row Sunday when the Bills host the Chicago Bears at not-yet-soldout Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘Probably no one outside the Buffalo Bills organization could have predicted that Keith Newman would become one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2000 season.’

‘That gives the Bills until 1 p.m. today to sell 2,000 remaining tickets. Sponsors could purchase any remaining tickets, ensuring the season’s sixth sellout and the 14th in the last 15 games.’

‘But it is outside linebackers Keith Newman, who leads the Bills with four sacks, and Sam Rogers who will trigger most of the mayhem for the Bears to sort out. When a linebacker blitzes to the outside, typically the tackle slides out to block him, meaning the guard on that side must move quickly to block the defensive end to that side.’

‘Once again praising the play of his offensive line in the Bears’ victory over Indianapolis, quarterback Jim Miller, who was not sacked in the game, said he gave all of his blockers gifts as a measure of his appreciation.’

‘The more you talk to people around the Bears, the more you hear offensive coordinator Gary Crowton wanted to make a quarterback change even before Cade McNown was injured.’

‘[Thomas] Smith spent his first seven seasons with Buffalo, and the Bears are counting on him for some keen insights, or anything that might make a difference when they face the Bills on Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘Wade Phillips, coach of the Buffalo Bills, knows what a quarterback controversy consists of, and he believes he doesn’t have one on his team.’

‘After waiting patiently and silently for the first half of the season, backup quarterback Jim Miller is getting his chance to play. But Shane Matthews, who moved up to No. 2 when Cade McNown was injured, may have to wait until next year to get back on the field – and it almost certainly won’t be in a Bears uniform.’