Two Bills Drive

‘The Buffalo Bills have jumped out of the gate in a hurry for the still young 2003-2004 season, with convincing wins over New England and in Jacksonville. Yet the measure of this team’s true potential does not come until this Sunday night, when one of the fiercest rivalries in pro football begins a new era.’

‘"It’s a big challenge for the team," linebacker Takeo Spikes said. "The guy ran for 325 in two games. As a defense you want to come back and play a running back of that caliber. I’m sure it’s like that in Cleveland (which gave up 295 yards to Baltimore’s Jamal Lewis last week). I’m sure they can’t wait to play this week."’

‘At times like these, you’re reminded how deep the feelings run toward Miami. Older fans must scoff at the notion that the Pats could replace the Dolphins as the team’s chief rival. Bill Belichick comes up with a couple of good game plans and all the Miami stuff goes out the window? Try telling that to Bryan Cox, or Marv Levy, or Thomas.’

‘Regarding Rogers’ comments, Polk said, “To each his own.”‘

‘”If it’s a pass, we’re pointing at the two players we think are going to be the most likely to blitz. It could be a linebacker, a safety, a cornerback. We’re just pointing out which two guys could be coming and would make us adjust on the route.”‘

‘”With the personnel we have up front now, we’d like to feel he won’t be able to do that to us this year,” Prioleau said after practice on Wednesday. “He’s a good back and he came out ready to play that day. You have to credit him for those runs, breaking into the secondary. But we have to make him earn all his yards this time.”‘

‘Here are the 13 Buffalo teams that started 2-0, their combined margins of victory in the first two games, their season-opening winning streaks and how they finished those seasons…’.

‘Now in his fifth season with Buffalo after being the club’s first-round draft choice out of Ohio State in 1999, Winfield has forged a reputation as one of the hardest hitters, pound for pound, in the NFL.’

‘The Dolphins defensive backs did not speak with Miami reporters after Wednesday’s practice, but Chester was more than happy to speak for them. “I hope he spits on me, please,” Chester said. “That’s not cool. To disrespect a man like that, that’s not cool at all. I couldn’t let a man spit on me and be satisfied with it and I know Patrick isn’t satisfied with it.”‘

‘”I’ve been fired up ever since I heard those guys feel they are better than us.”‘

‘In his last four meetings with Miami, Moulds has averaged 122 receiving yards and a touchdown. “I know exactly when they’re playing man and when they’re playing double-team,” he boldly stated.’

”’I guess it’s just something in me that doesn’t care what people think of me,” Fiedler said. “I just go out there and get a job done. It’s a daily process of coming in and focusing on the game ahead, the next challenge.”’

‘Dolphins returner Charlie Rogers said he ”packed light” when he went from Seattle to Buffalo last season because it was clear he wouldn’t play for the Bills very long.’

‘With Marion out, cornerback Jamar Fletcher and safety Arturo Freeman saw action in the Dolphins’ dime package at practice. Wannstedt said he hasn’t decided whether Fletcher or Freeman would serve as dime cornerback against the Bills.’

‘Wannstedt said Williams could have had more than the 125 yards he rushed for against the Jets if the backside of a few plays were blocked differently.’