Two Bills Drive

‘From the Patriots’ perspective, not much has changed. The big moves in the offseason came on defense. The offense still has a line that hasn’t been able to generate movement and the backs are still Smith and Faulk, who averaged 3.3 and 3.5 yards, respectively, per carry in the preseason. That’s not going to get it done in the real season.’

‘Among active quarterbacks, Bledsoe ranks third in attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns behind only the Packers’ Brett Favre and the Jets’ Vinny Testaverde in those categories.’

‘Could it be that the Bills have been hoodwinked again by another of Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s schemes?’

‘NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed last night that the league will look into the circumstances regarding Milloy’s release by the Pats and his subsequent free agent status. There is evidence that Milloy and/or his agents spoke to other teams prior to his release Tuesday morning.’

‘For $600,000, he could have retained his Pro Bowl safety and team captain and leader and maintained team harmony and the momentum built over the course of the last six months through the draft and free agency and a 4-0 preseason record.’

‘“I think it really does help,” Brady said of his training camp work with Hufnagel. “Quarterbacks understand other quarterbacks. You can watch film at night and from that video (shot from) 50 feet high, you can see everything, but as a quarterback sometimes you are looking through offensive lineman or looking through lots of bodies to find certain receivers that are open. That’s the process of being a quarterback. He understands that process and understands what we’re trying to do because he’s DONE it before.”’

‘The Patriots’ third-down efficiency ranked 26th last year, as the team allowed 95 first downs in 221 chances (43 percent).’

‘4th Down — Antowain Smith’s Buffalo performance. In four games against his former team, Smith has rushed 86 times for 374 yards and four touchdowns, while adding a pair of touchdown receptions. He’s been entrenched in a battle for snaps with Kevin Faulk, but his past outings vs. the Bills should get him more time.’

‘Talk about must-see TV.’

‘”A lawyer with his briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns.”‘

‘Buffalo: 10-6 — This Bills defense will be good and that’s what held them back last season. You have to love their cornerbacks, Nate Clements and Antoine Winfield, and the additions of linebacker Jeff Posey and Takeo Spikes and safety Lawyer Milloy makes their “back-seven” hard to deal with. Offensively, the loss of Peerless Price is significant. Eric Moulds was quarterback Drew Bledsoe’s preferred target, but Price was nearly as explosive last year. Second-year man Josh Reed has great hands and is productive but his skill set doesn’t match Price’s. According to an NFC personnel man who scouted the Bills in the preseason, the offensive line is not giving Bledsoe enough time. Bledsoe went down 54 times in 2002 and that news doesn’t bode well for 2003.’

‘Season prediction: 12-4. Destination: AFC Championship vs. Tennessee.’

‘Lawyer Milloy will demonstrate the wrong way to deal with questions about his ballooning contract by belligerently suggesting he’s Ronnie Lott, Gary Fencik and Rod Woodson rolled into one.’

‘So they released him. Even though they knew it wasn’t for the immediate best of the team, they felt it was best for the long term. A business decision. Every player has a ceiling price. And Milloy was past his.’

‘For at least one week in Western New York, football will leapfrog professional wrestling as the official soap opera for men.’