Two Bills Drive

‘Heading into a meeting with the Dolphins at Broward County’s Pro Player Stadium five days from now, the Bills are already in trouble in the AFC East. Bad enough they’re 2-2 a quarter of the way into the season, worse they’re 0-2 in the NFL’s toughest Division and about to meet a Miami team with a defense almost the equal of their own…on the road.’

‘In Monday’s Miami Herald, Thomas was especially harsh toward to defensive end Phil Hansen, strong safety Henry Jones and linebacker John Holecek. Thomas attacked Hansen for his public comments about fellow ex-Bill Bruce Smith and his training camp holdouts. Thomas also claimed Jones and Holecek disrespected him in practices.’

‘Thurman says he didn’t forget what happened in the offseason, but nobody forgot about him, either. The sorry thing about Thurman’s act is that he gave us a refresher course about himself. He’s older, but he’s not any wiser.’

‘"He`s as big as all outside." — Linebacker Robert Jones on Buffalo nose tackle Ted Washington.’

‘"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.’