Two Bills Drive

‘When Buffalo’s already-battered defense lost three more defensive starters during a31-17 loss to Tampa Bay, the Bills’ playoff hopes were also finished Sunday with a noticeable limp.’

‘Inexperienced to begin with, and now suddenly injury-riddled, the Bills punt and kick return squads rank at the bottom of the NFL’s 31 teams, and their punt coverage unit is 21st overall.’

‘The Miami Dolphins put backup safety Greg Jeffries on injured reserve Tuesday after he underwent surgery on his left knee. The team signed former Jets safety Kevin Williams to replace him.’

‘The Miami Dolphins today made a move to add depth in their secondary, signing safety Kevin Williams.’

‘"It’s not the way I wanted it to come to an end," said Cowart, who leads the NFL in tackles and was on pace to obliterate the Bills’ season-season record. "Injuries are part of the game. Anytime that uniform goes on, you’re taking a risk."’

‘The Bills on Sunday lost three key defensive players who had combined to record 305 tackles, 10 1/2 sacks and eight interceptions this year.’

‘Bucs coach Tony Dungy said the tackle was not illegal but an unfortunate dose of bad luck.’

‘Their 31-17 loss may have doomed their chances of competing for a playoff berth the final four games of the regular season, thanks to an unprecedented rash of injuries to their No. 5-ranked defense.’

‘"The season doesn’t end today," Irvin said about as often as Rob Johnson gets sacked. "We still have to play four football games and everybody on this team believes in everybody who’s on the field. We are a very sound football team."’

‘The Buffalo Bills yesterday called the blindside block by Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ guard Frank Middleton that put star linebacker Sam Cowart out for the rest of the regular season "unethical."’

‘Buffalo’s leading tackler, who had three sacks in the first half, is out of Sunday’s game against the Dolphins with a high ankle sprain and probably won’t play again this season unless the Bills make the playoffs.’

‘For the Miami Dolphins, the weekend forecast is ominous: temperatures in the 20s with a chance of defeat.’

‘"For you to be beside him and just go after his knee is unethical," Bills coach Wade Phillips said Monday. "I think it was uncalled for."’

‘Not even the often-heroic efforts of the depleted defense could compensate for Ronnie Jones’ boys. Plain and simple, they stunk. Again. Frankly, it’s getting old.’

‘And it was a game in which two or three disastrous plays foiled an otherwise valiant performance by the majority of the Bills’ players.’