Two Bills Drive

‘One of the unsung Jets heroes yesterday was special teams ace Chris Hayes, who had a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a special-teams tackle. He was a catalyst for a special teams unit that entered the game much maligned.’

‘The Jets not only beat the Buffalo Bills yesterday, 27-14, they stunned and demoralized a team that had been tied with them for first place. They ran over and around them, with Kevin Williams’ thrilling 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. They duped them, leaving five of their players lying silent and in a heap in the end zone after Marcus Coleman’s 45-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass from Testaverde broke a 14-14 tie.’

‘You know, he who forgets the past is doomed to repeat it.’

‘Yesterday, in an impressive 27-14 victory over Buffalo, the Jets’ special teams were masters of mayhem. "Special teams aren’t about individuals," Hayes said. "It’s a team. It’s about hustle plays."’

‘Though Washington and Williams combined for 10 unassisted tackles and five assisted ones, they could not stop the Jets when it mattered most.’

‘Once again, it was the Vinny of now instead of the Vinny of ’98. And once again, it was good enough.’

‘The football gods are finally smiling on the Jets after spending a year showering them with enough misfortune to last a decade. Maybe it’s payback for taking quarterback Vinny Testaverde away from them less than two quarters into last season and striking down several more players with injuries. Maybe it’s payback for taking Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick and Keyshawn Johnson away from them in one fell swoop last off-season. Maybe, just maybe, it’s because the Jets haven’t had much to cheer about since their 1969 Super Bowl victory.’

‘Keyshawn Johnson last night said Jets head coach Al Groh need not extend his hand to him to exchange pleasantries because he won’t shake it and he said comparing Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet to him is like comparing a flashlight to a star. Also, Johnson said he has nothing against quarterback Vinny Testaverde, who said in the aftermath of the trade that Curtis Martin, not Johnson, was the most valuable player on the team.’

‘The Jets were still toweling themselves dry from their postgame showers yesterday after defeating the Bills, 27-14, at Giants Stadium when their attention was already turning toward their next game this Sunday in Tampa, Fla. Need we tell you? That’s when the 3-0 Jets will go at it with their former Pro Bowl wide receiver, Keyshawn Johnson, and the undefeated Buccaneers.’

‘That’s not to say the Jets are headed to the Super Bowl by virtue of this 27-14 verdict over the Bills, or that Groh will one day match Parcells with two championship rings to his credit. But this was the most impressive victory for Groh’s team to date, against by far the best team it has faced. And his Jets have responded to Groh at every turn. All this with quarterback Vinny Testaverde yet to play worth a damn.’

‘Finally, Marcus Coleman, a defensive player since his days at Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, lined up as a wide receiver. He then ran through the Bills defense and into the back of the end zone, making a leaping catch that gave the Jets a 21-14 halftime lead and completely changed their fortunes.’

‘One huge block sprung him past the 15-yard line, a hard stiff arm carried him across the 30. Kevin Williams crossed midfield, made a quick move to his left and then followed rookie linebacker John Abraham into the end zone.’

‘The Jets’ running game managed 91 yards and one touchdown on 36 carries yesterday. Buffalo, with a defensive line anchored by nose tackle Ted Washington (6-5, 330 pounds), entered the game yielding just 46.5 yards rushing per game. "We just tried to run it at them," Jets tackle Jason Fabini said. "It was tough going, but we got the yards when we needed them."’

‘They are 3-0 for the first time since Weeb Ewbank coached Gang Green in 1966. They are in sole possession of first place in the division earlier than any season since 1987. And after vanquishing the Bills (2-1), they take a full head of steam into a matchup with the unbeaten Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their loquacious former teammate, Keyshawn Johnson.’

‘Vinny Testaverde had one minor criticism of Marcus Coleman as an offensive player. "Marcus came running on the field a little late," Testaverde said. Yeah, but his timing was perfect after that.’