‘With two receptions, Moulds tied Andre Reed’s team record of 90 catches in a season, set in 1994. It took Moulds longer than expected to reach the mark. He had 84 catches through 12 games, but only had six in the last three. In each game, he was held without a catch until the second half.’
Buffalo News
MONDAY BILLBOARD
‘Player of the Game: – Quarterback Doug Flutie, in what might have been his final home Bills game. The Bills moved the ball with Flutie at the helm. Despite the ad verse conditions, he went 15 of 25 for 193 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 50 yards.’
BILLS, PATS PLAY FOR PRIDE
‘”We’ve got two games left,” said Bills quarterback Rob Johnson. “I think we’re all playing for next year since the playoffs are gone. We’re trying to get a couple wins and end on a positive note that we can take into next year.”‘
BILLS AND PATRIOTS TRYING TO PROVE THEY’RE NOT DEAD ON ARRIVAL
‘The offense that gets out of its own way the best will win. . . . Bills, 23-17.’
SOMEONE WILL PAY BUTLER BIG BUCKS
‘Butler figures to be in high demand around the NFL when his contract with the Bills runs out after this season. The market value of the top general managers in the NFL is well above $1 million a year.’
CHILLY DRAFT BILLS’ EARLY-ROUND SELECTIONS NEVER REALLY HEATED UP IN 2000
‘While the draft netted some promising talent, the overall impact of the eight-player rookie class of 2000 has been limited. Most coaches and general managers claim that you need two, maybe three years before you can judge draft picks. If that’s the case, it remains to be seen how many of the Bills’ rookies will be hits or misses.’
AFC EAST RIVALS TURN COLD SHOULDER BUFFALO’S WAY
‘”At the last realignment meeting they asked each owner to pick two teams from their present divisions which are their top rivals,” Bills owner Ralph Wilson said this past week. “I picked the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets, which is pretty obvious. Then they asked for one top rival out of the division. I picked Pittsburgh, because when the Steelers come here they bring about 20,000 fans with them.”‘
UNCOORDINATED PENDRY FRUSTRATED BY BILLS’ OFFENSIVE WOES
‘”You turn the ball over and you have a tough time winning,” Pendry said. “That’s the biggest difference between where we were early and lately. . . . That’s what we’ve prided ourselves on, and we’ve got to get back to it. There are a lot of other things, but you can’t turn the ball over. You’ve got to not turn it over and score when you have the opportunity. That’s what we haven’t done.”‘
STATIONS BRUSHING UP THEIR BIDS FOR BILLS’ RADIO RIGHTS
‘The owner of 97 Rock, Citadel Communications, now has to hope that it won’t be the last home game it gets to broadcast. After next week’s finale in Seattle, the three-year deal that the Bills signed with Citadel’s predecessor, Mercury Radio, expires. It isn’t exactly as exciting as speculating on whether the Bills will have a new offensive coordinator next season, but the Bills’ radio choice could have a big impact on local radio.’
BROWN, MOULDS NAMED PRO BOWL STARTERS
‘Brown and receiver Eric Moulds were named starters for the NFL’s all-star game, while linebacker Sam Cowart and nose tackle Ted Washington made it as reserves.’
VOTES SIMPLY DON’T ADD UP IN WADE’S WORLD
‘What Phillips has shown over the last 11 months is that while he’s a good coach, he’s a deficient head coach. He reacted to the embarrassment of Home Run Throwback by firing Bruce DeHaven and then stealing a baby from Texas-El Paso, as if it were the cradle of special teams coaches. He has stood by idly, his face enveloped in consternation, while Mauck has spewed toward his linemen clouds of invective intended to obscure his own shortcomings. Jamie Nails and Marcus Spriggs are in their fifth seasons, Robert Hicks in his fourth. Their progress has been a study in inertia, which is to say they’ve barely budged off Square One.’
PHILLIPS SAYS JOHNSON IS SORE, BUT SHOULD PLAY SUNDAY
‘”He’s got a sore elbow,” Phillips said. “But he threw better and better as the day went on today. . . . I think he’ll be all right.”‘
PHILLIPS GIVES STAFF VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
‘Three particular staffers — offensive coordinator Joe Pendry, offensive line coach Carl Mauck and special teams coach Ronnie Jones — have come under fire by fans, the media and, in some cases, players.’
PARADE OF JOHNSON HITS HAS PHILLIPS CONCERNED
‘The Elias Sports Bureau recently released statistics that show Johnson throughout his career has been sacked once every 6.6 times he drops back to pass.’
FOUR BILLS GO TO PRO BOWL
‘Both of the starters from the Bills play on offense: Eric Moulds and Marvin Harrison of the Indianapolis Colts will start at wide receiver; Ruben Brown and Tennessee’s Bruce Matthews are the starting guards.’