Two Bills Drive

The Bills won their first AFC Championship with one of the most dominating performances ever displayed in a title game. Buffalo set the tone for the day by driving 75 yards after the opening KO and scored the initial TD when QB Jim Kelly picked up a bad shotgun snap and scrambled to find WR James Lofton for a 13-yard pass.

‘The Raiders rank No. 1 in the NFL against the run, allowing just 52 yards a game.’

‘"Well, I’ve been lucky," Gilbride said. "This isn’t the first good team I’ve been on, or the first great offense. But I’m very proud of the way these guys have bought into what we’ve been teaching. Now the key is, can we keep on doing it the rest of the season? That’s the measuring stick."’

‘The Bills rank 30th in the NFL in punt return coverage and 31st in kickoff return coverage.’

‘He is on stage again. He got his wish. Buffalo got its quarterback. “Crazy,” he says. “I guess it just worked out."’

‘But, truth be told, the fourth-year pro — who started all 32 games the Bills played in 2000 and 2001 — is not thrilled by his lack of involvement in Buffalo’s defensive scheme this year.’

‘But players have been lobbying for an all-blue look at home and all-white look for the road ever since the new colors were unveiled in June. Coach Gregg Williams and general manager Tom Donahoe have listened.’

‘Could there be a better Week 5 Sunday night or Monday night matchup than the Bills hosting the Oakland Raiders?’

‘Granted it’s early in the season, but both veterans are on pace to shatter a number of team and league passing records. So don’t expect either to stop flinging it now.’

‘"Drew Bledsoe has changed that football team," Raiders’ outside linebacker Bill Romanowski said. "He’s given them the ability to throw downfield. The guys believe in him."’

‘Sunday, in Buffalo, Greenwood’s Kent Hull will become the 19th player in the 42-year history of the Buffalo Bills to have his name placed on that franchise’s Wall of Fame. Couldn’t happen to a more consistent player – or a better guy. Hull missed only two starts in 14 years, playing the physically demanding position of center.’

‘The league doesn’t disclose details of such suspensions.’

”’The guys are playing well,” Gilbride said. ”It’s somewhat satisfying to see them raise their performance level, understand what they’re trying to get done. I’ve been around some good teams before, but I don’t know if I’ve ever had one consistently come through in the clutch the way they have.”’

‘The former Hinds (Miss.) Community College standout, who started his college career at the University of Georgia, was fined several times last year for being tardy to meetings. The fact he had not dressed for a game yet this season was likely a reflection of his lack of maturity.’

‘A seventh-round pick by the Bills in 2001, Robertson will not be paid during the suspension, which will cost him $70,588. He will be eligible to return to the active roster on October 27.’