Two Bills Drive

‘"Our defense stepped up and played tremendous," Bledsoe said. "I practiced against them all the way through training camp and saw them a lot, but I didn’t know they were going to play like that. If they can step up and create turnovers for us, make teams go three and out, it will make things a lot easier on us."’

‘It was only one Sunday, the first of 17, but if one can take anything away from it, it’s that the class of the AFC East might once again be in Orchard Park, N.Y, while the Dolphins might not come close to being the team they’ve been in the past.’

‘In thoroughly mugging the New England Patriots 31-0, the Bills sent a resounding message to the rest of the NFL that they aren’t merely better than they have been in recent seasons, but that they are the legitimate powerhouse they set out to build with what easily became the league’s most impressive offseason/preseason shopping spree. By most assessments, the Patriots were considered the best team in the AFC East, if not the entire AFC. They were the team that embarrassed the Bills twice last season.’

‘In some ways, I feel sorry for Milloy. He’s furious with me for reporting the tampering story, and I can’t repeat what he said to me in a hallway outside the Bills’ locker room after Sunday’s game against his former club. Suffice it to say he was fairly strident in telling me never to approach him again as long as I dwell on the planet earth, with quite a bit of emphasis.’

‘Former Patriots Drew Bledsoe, the quarterback; Sam Adams, a defensive tackle; and Lawyer Milloy, a safety, all had a starring roles for Buffalo.’

‘Over the first 20 minutes of play, the Bills outgained the Patriots in yardage, 193 to minus-4.’

‘"It definitely feels good," Milloy said of beating his former team. "But it feels good in a positive way, not a personal vendetta way." Yeah, right.’

‘"We just didn’t play well," Belichick said. "We didn’t play well, we didn’t coach well, we didn’t do anything well. We just got beat."’

‘Was the new defense overhyped? It was better than anyone imagined.’

‘"I’ll be honest," said safety Pierson Prioleau. "I didn’t know he could move that fast. But I did know he was a fierce competitor. I knew that when there’s a play to be made he has the ability to make those plays. So it didn’t surprise me that he moved that fast when it was time to make a play."’

‘How far has Marques Sullivan fallen from grace? The former starting right guard did not dress for Sunday’s game.’

‘Unsung Hero: WR Bobby Shaw might creep up the depth chart following his performance on Sunday. Shaw caught three passes for 51 yards and did most of his damage early when the Bills built a 14-0 lead.’

‘"It’s been a great ride," Miller said. "The Bills have been very, very supportive. I’ve enjoyed the heck out of it."’

‘In the end, Buffalo beat New England 31-0 – the worst season-opening loss in Patriots’ history – and the game really wasn’t that close.’

‘The Patriots insisted Milloy’s departure and consequent signing with Buffalo was not a distraction this week, that they had moved on. Well, he was certainly a distraction on the field.’