Two Bills Drive

‘"I guess with Buffalo and the Jets, it starts feeling more intense around here than any other week because of the rivalry," receiver Oronde Gadsden said. "With the history between the teams we`ve put together, it`s going to be a little more intense."’

‘Robert Jones couldn’t say it last week. He wanted to, and he was even asked to, but he couldn’t say anything bad about Cincinnati for fear of motivating the Bengals. He doesn’t have such a problem this week with Buffalo up next. "Now that it’s done and over with, I can honestly say I didn’t have much respect for Cincinnati," the linebacker said. "I only said that (to the media), but I do respect Buffalo. Buffalo’s got a lot of talent. Great quarterbacks. Either one can give us trouble. Both have given us trouble in the past. Great wide receivers. A harem of running backs, massive offensive line. It’s going to be a tough, physical battle this week." How tough? "Look at their mascot," he said, "it’s a buffalo. There’s nothing finesse about a buffalo."’

‘Thurman Thomas will get all the attention — it is, after all, Buffalo week — but the Miami Dolphins’ running backs are learning to share the football. For the first time this season, three Miami runners got at least five carries in Sunday’s 31-16 victory over Cincinnati. This depth was needed after Thomas was held out with a groin injury.’

‘Two weeks ago against the New York Jets it was special teams mistakes and last Sunday, red-zone ineptitude led to the 18-16 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. "It’s a division loss at home against a team (Indianapolis) that’s supposed to be the Super Bowl champ and we had them," Bills linebacker John Holecek said. "But we let it slip through our fingers." That’s where the problem lies. Given the Bills have had games against the Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Jets and Colts, few would argue that a 2-2 start is a disgrace. But losing the hard way, when statistics say they shouldn’t, hurts that much more.’

‘Thomas singled out Holecek, safety Henry Jones and defensive end Phil Hansen as players he had no respect for, players he would not shake hands with before or after Sunday’s game at Pro Player Stadium.’

‘"The last few weeks I’ve had to do a lot of talking to the players, covering all the bases," Wannstedt says. "But this week, getting ready for Buffalo, players understand what’s on the line. Coaches enjoy weeks like this. We can save our voices."’

‘Tim Ruddy earned his second game ball of the season after Sunday’s victory in Cincinnati. Coach Dave Wannstedt says the seventh-year center is playing at a "Pro Bowl level." And vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman says Ruddy is playing a lot more physical than in past years. But accolades and testimonials aside, Ruddy’s ascent will be tested Sunday at Pro Player Stadium by an old nemesis — the Bills’ Ted Washington. Buffalo’s Pro Bowl nose tackle and immovable force remains a daunting task for any center, but especially Ruddy. But Ruddy’s play this season has convinced even the greatest doubters that the Dolphins made a wise choice to re-sign him to a five-year, $12.75 million contract — including a $4 million signing bonus — last February.’

‘The Dolphins acquired yet another tight end Monday when they dealt a seventh-round draft pick in the 2001 NFL draft to Chicago for Alonzo Mayes.’

‘The Dolphins don’t want to reveal how coaches have graded center Tim Ruddy through the first five games of the season, but the fact he is the only offensive player to receive two game balls from coach Dave Wannstedt speaks volumes.’

‘While most of the attention this week will be on running back Thurman Thomas, playing his first game against his former team, a more important storyline — if the Dolphins are to run against the Bills Sunday at Pro Player Stadium — should unfold in the trenches. That’s where center Tim Ruddy, who according to head coach Dave Wannstedt is playing the best football of his career, will butt heads with All-Pro tackle Ted Washington. The Bills enter Sunday’s game with the league’s second-ranked run defense, yielding an average of only 66.3 yards per game. The 6-5, 330-pound Washington, who has averaged nearly 110 tackles the past four years, remains a big reason why Buffalo is so formidable against the run.’

‘The Bills rank among the NFL’s best defensive teams, and in two meetings against them last year, Miami totaled one touchdown. "They’re probably the most physical team we play all year,” coach Dave Wannstedt said.’

‘The Miami Dolphins acquired tight end Alonzo Mayes from the Chicago Bears for an undisclosed late-round draft choice Monday.’

‘"We know Thurman. I think he’s pulling everybody’s chain," Bills coach Wade Phillips said. "He’s a great guy and a great leader. He’ll do whatever it takes. … Thurman’s got his own reasons for everything. He’s a special guy as far as leadership is concerned, we all know that."’

‘"The way this turned out doesn’t surprise me at all. The way this turned out — coming down to the last play — doesn’t surprise me at all. It was a real dogfight right from the beginning," said Colts coach Jim Mora. "To come up here and beat these guys here in a really important game for both teams is a tremendous accomplishment for our football team. I couldn’t be more proud of them."’

‘Waiting for the elevator outside the Ralph Wilson Stadium press box, the Indianapolis Colts’ assistant coaches who had been in the booth, spotted general manager Bill Polian. Spontaneously, they shared a collective hug and Polian, who held that position for eight seasons with Buffalo, gave a relieved eye roll that said, ‘We stole one.”