Two Bills Drive

‘Lost amid the brouhaha surrounding the preseason demotion of ex-starter J.J. Johnson is the fact the Dolphins have another talented tailback worthy of playing time. Denson proved that in Sunday’s 31-16 victory over Cincinnati. "It got me a chance to show what I could do and that I could contribute," said Denson, who rushed eight times for 32 yards and caught one pass for five yards in his first action of the season. "I want them to feel I’m one of those players they kind of need to be out there every week."’

‘”When the opportunity arises, I think the people in the locker room count on me to make some plays. I want to do that for the people that are fighting [to win] everyday, especially when it gets down in the red zone.”‘

‘Mostly, Thomas’ former teammates put his remarks down to his typical behavior. Thomas has historically found ways to motivate himself through the perceived disrespect by others.’

‘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.’