‘”It makes you realize you’re really playing this game for a short amount of time and that you can be knocked out at any time,” said Spriggs, who had no previous knee problems. “It’s unbelievably hard work just to get your knee a little stronger.”‘
BillsBeat - October 20, 2002
Lucas? Ricky, defense on spot
‘The Bills (3-3) know what the Dolphins want to do. Williams is the third-leading rusher in the NFL with 614 yards, and Miami is averaging 30 points per game.’
Carter to join Dolphins
‘Carter will earn the prorated portion of a $1 million base salary, roughly $588,000, and he could earn another $750,000 in incentives, according to a source.’
Success follows backup QBs
‘Backup quarterbacks have won the past three Super Bowls…’
Concussions are coming into focus
‘”There is no piece of equipment I can put on a player and say, ‘If you wear this you won’t get hurt,’ ” Dolphins equipment manager Tony Egues said.’
Dolphins starting over with new faces
‘At some point, though, Miami is going to have to go to the air, especially if it wants to match Buffalo’s high-powered offense, which is averaging 32 points a game behind rejuvenated quarterback Drew Bledsoe.’
Deal reported between Dolphins, Cris Carter
‘A 15-year veteran who spent the past 12 seasons in Minnesota, Carter has been working as an analyst on HBO’s Inside the NFL. He was reportedly given permission to get out of his deal with the cable network to pursue the one goal that has eluded him – a Super Bowl championship.’
Replacements could rule day for Dolphins
‘At some point, though, Miami is going to have to go to the air, especially it wants to match Buffalo’s high-powered offense that is averaging 32 points a game behind rejuvenated quarterback Drew Bledsoe.’
Miami set to sign Carter
‘"We’re not going to make any announcement until Monday," Greene said. "Our focus right now is on the game on Sunday."’
BillsBeat - October 19, 2002
Williams figures to be busy against Bills
‘"They can talk all they want about Bledsoe competing with me, but we have the big No. 34 with the dreadlocks," Lucas said. "They can worry about me all week, and then when they get a dose of 34 down their throats, I think that’s all going to change real quick."’
Injury bug bites Bills big time
‘Winfield’s absence means Chris Watson will start, while Jason Bostic takes Watson’s spot in nickel and dime coverages.’
Winfield to miss Miami game
‘With Winfield out, reserve Chris Watson is expected to take over as starter, alongside right cornerback Nate Clements. Watson has had trouble defending the pass this season, and he was benched for part of Buffalo’s 31-24 win over Houston last weekend.’
Dolphins run Ricky, Ricky, Ricky
‘”With Ricky running the ball, it’s awesome. He keeps running that clock which is a key. Whoever’s playing us can’t do anything against our defense if we’re not on the field.”‘
Shuffling out of Buffalo
‘One thing they have learned is that you never can be too prepared. In the early 1980s, Buffalo was playing the Dolphins in Miami, and someone stole 13 Bills helmets. “Fortunately, we were wearing white helmets and the Dolphins were, too,” Hojnowski said. “The Dolphins gave us some extra helmets, and we were able to cover over the Dolphins’ logos and stripes with the Bills logos and details we had brought down.”‘
Thomas' missing helmet was a super nightmare
‘”Coach (Marv) Levy is yelling at me and we’re all scrambling to find it,” he said. “We eventually found it at the end of the bench. At first, we thought somebody had stolen it. But I think what happened was that some player mistakenly thought it was his and picked it up, and then when he discovered it wasn’t his, he just put it down. The problem is he didn’t return it to where he found it.”‘