Two Bills Drive

‘"It was a better 7-point lead," Coach Al Groh said. "The math reads the same but it was better for our heart."’

‘An ever-growing confident tribe that spun Buffalo for a loop, 27-14, yesterday at Giants Stadium. A tribe riddled with questions that so far has produced answers. With a 3-0 record, the Jets thus far are fulfilling a role rarely seen in sports. Off-season turmoil and chaos plus a new head coach nearly always mean slow, sluggish and meandering starts. The Jets, instead, have hit the ground in a peppy and productive stride. They have won three games in a style and manner that indicates the depth of their mentality, their fortitude. Apparently, a true tribe.’

‘Is this the touchdown ball or the game ball?" Kensil asked. "That’s the touchdown ball," Williams said. "I’ve got the game ball here in my bag." "Give me that one, too," Kensil said.’

‘"That’s ridiculous," said Bills coach Wade Phillips, who watched the 6-2 Coleman outjump three defenders in the back of the end zone. "We should’ve had everybody back on the goal line. They should be waiting for the ball instead of jumping for the ball. We just relaxed and it cost us."’

‘”It wasn’t about me,” Groh would say when it was over and the Jets had won 27-14, shutting out the Bills in the second half. “I didn’t do anything.” Sure he did. He coached his team the way he has coached it from the start, as if he has been coaching it for a long time.’

‘Coleman outleaped three Buffalo defenders to haul in a 45-yard floater from Vinny Testaverde on the last play of the first half yesterday, playing the same role Johnson once did in Hail Mary situations. The only difference was, it worked. "I think over in my career, I’ve only completed one Hail Mary pass and that was on the 2-yard line," Testaverde said. "This was the first time I completed one for a touchdown."’

‘If anything, the Jets have proven, in the short term at least, they can win without Johnson. The long term is a story yet to be written. But the Jets can at least play against Johnson with a little swagger knowing they have not crumbled without him and have started 3-0 for the first time since 1966.’

‘There are two ways to look at the Jets’ special teams performance in yesterday’s 27-14 victory over the Bills. Either they really took a step up after two disappointing weeks or they finally met a special teams unit that’s worse.’

‘On the surface, the Jets seem to have overcome the loss of Keyshawn Johnson. But at least one person begs to differ. That person is named Keyshawn Johnson.’

‘Special Teams: A+…A day of redemption. The stars were Kevin Williams (97-yard kickoff TD) and Chris Hayes (forced fumble, recovery).’

‘"Our confidence is pretty high," Jets’ cornerback Ray Mickens said. "I’d be lying if I said it was anything else. We’ve shown we can win on the road, at Lambeau, we’ve shown we’re a tough team."’

‘The Bills, playing all day like a kid sticking its hand in the fire, got burned, 27-14, in a contest decided largely by the kicking game.’

‘All touchdowns are worth six points on the scoreboard, but in the heart, clearly some are worth more than others. Marcus Coleman’s Hail Mary on the final play of the first half yesterday lifted the Jets’ spirits and ripped out the Bills’ guts in a 27-14 Gang Green win at Giants Stadium. Coleman’s 45-yard TD with no time on the clock sent the Jets into halftime with a 21-14 lead, and gave them all the momentum.’

‘"That’s what’s most frustrating; it’s between the ears. If you get your butt whipped, [that’s one thing]. But when you don’t play well, that’s the toughest thing," said defensive end Marcellus Wiley from Columbia, who saw his team allow a 97-yard kickoff return to Kevin Williams, get a field goal blocked, lose their first three fumbles of the season, and give up a 45-yard Hail Mary to defensive back Marcus Coleman on the final play of the first half.’

‘There aren’t supposed to be 78,000 fans wildly cheering the Jets, but there are. New York isn’t supposed to be going ga-ga over Gang Green, but it is.’