Two Bills Drive

‘”You can’t put your finger on any one thing,” wide receiver Ike Hilliard said. “It’s just a situation where we’re all paid professionals and right now we’re not doing our jobs really well. Whether it’s dropped passes, turnovers, penalties, missed assignments — they’re all combining to kill us as an offensive unit.”‘

‘If they had anything to say, the fans said it with their feet. Most of them were on the Turnpike, or Route 3, long before the Giants managed their initial first down of the second half, 58 seconds into the fourth quarter; a sure sign that lethargy has spread from the playing field to the stands.’

‘”If you are going to be a leader on the team,” he said, “it’s more important to be on the field when things are going bad than when they are going good.”‘

The victory over the Giants was a reminder that the Bills should have been battling for a playoff berth right to the end. It also should have been a suggestion that better days should be ahead with better handling of this team.

‘”The difference in the game today was we made the plays in the passing game,” Bledsoe said. “We’ve been running the ball well and did again today. Travis Henry had another 100-yard game. But the thing that’s been lacking offensively are the plays in the passing game.”‘

‘For three straight weeks, they played their hearts out and had nothing to show for it. Any sensible group would have thrown up their hands and coasted. So what did they do? They played another terrific game. They shut down the NFL’s fifth-rated offense as the Bills beat the Giants, 24-7, to end their four-game losing streak.’

‘In one of his best games of the season, Bledsoe completed 19 of 29 passes for 252 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions to finish with a sparkling 115.9 QB rating.’

‘”I’m going to get a lot of sleep (Sunday night), too, because I’m tired,” said Williams, whose sweat-soaked, blood-stained uniform told of his hard day’s work against Strahan. “The man is good. I’ll give him props (proper respect). He’s an outstanding pass rusher.”‘

‘Any Bills fans wondering about the job security of coach Gregg Williams knows exactly what’s transpired this season with Jim Fassel and the Giants. The Bills came in with a four-game losing streak and left with a rare victory after totally dominating the Giants, who for the first time in Fassel’s seven-year tenure lost their fourth consecutive game.’

‘The Giants announced a sellout crowd of 78,481, but the figure represents tickets sold. There had to be at least 20,000 empty seats, and with five minutes left there couldn’t have been 10,000 people in the stadium.’

‘Give Henry valor award for gutting it out again. He had 113 yards on 26 carries. He wore them down with 92 in second half.’

‘”It was our day today,” said Henry, who rushed for 113 yards on 26 carries. “We were clicking on all cylinders.”‘

‘Key player: Drew Bledsoe. The Bills quarterback completed a tidy 19-of-29 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns in just under three quarters. Six of his throws went for 20 yards or more.’

‘Giants Stadium was three-quarters empty by the time the fourth quarter began, but nobody on the Giants’ offensive line could take the day off, even though it seemed that way for most of the game. Already without guard Rich Seubert (broken leg) and with tackle Luke Petitgout sidelined with back spasms, the makeshift offensive line went through yet another transformation. Jeff Roehl started for Petitgout, but when rookie left guard Wayne Lucier suffered a ligament sprain in his knee late in the second quarter, rookie Scott Peters replaced him and confusion reigned. “Our lack of experience is really showing,” center Chris Bober said.’

‘”If we practice like dirt and came out and played well, then let’s practice like dirt. I don’t quite understand it. but I’m telling you that at some point, you have to elevate your game. You can’t let this continue to happen because, to be honest, it’s embarrassing. Guys have a lot more pride than what we’re putting out there.”‘