Two Bills Drive

‘Do you feel you have a team that’s better than New England? We feel we do. Anytime you go out there and play you have to feel you are better. We get to play them at home so that is an added bonus for us. But we have to go out and still prove it. On paper we may look like a better team, but at the same time they’ve made some improvements with their team. We’ll play next week and see what happens.’

‘”That is the biggest change from last year’s camp and preseason, to this year’s camp is the depth. The marquee players, the big play guys, are kind of the same. You have Moulds, you have Travis Henry, you have guys like that that can make the big plays for you. Across the board depth, I think we are a big step ahead of where we were last year. Our guys have some tough decisions to make as far as what the make-up of the team is going to be because we have so much depth at some spots.”‘

‘On Ruben Brown’s injury: “He’s fine. He had a bruise. He would have kept on playing (in the regular season).”‘

‘Stewart, who recorded his second-career 1,000-yard rushing season in 2002, was taken to the locker room at the 9:06 mark of the first quarter after he was hit by Bills safety Coy Wire on a third-down-and-one rush.’

‘After a slow start, the Lions took their first lead of the contest after a Jason Hanson 46-yard field goal put the Lions in front 16-14 with 8:52 remaining in the third quarter. That lead would quickly evaporate, however, during a 4th quarter Bills drive that spanned 16 plays and 85-yards, culminating in a one-yard Olandis Gary touchdown plunge. A two-point conversion handed Buffalo (3-1) a 22-16 lead they would not relinquish.’

‘Detroit Lions running back James Stewart separated his right shoulder in the first quarter of Thursday night’s preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.’

‘Stewart was hit by safety Coy White, then tackled from behind by at least two other defenders. The injury occurred on the Lions’ second series.’

‘The Buffalo Bills today announced a six-year integrated marketing partnership with The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc., including exclusive pouring rights at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Pepsi-Cola and Aquafina have also been named the Buffalo Bills’ official soft drink and bottled water, respectively.’

‘At times, Polk can’t believe there are only seven players left from the Butler Era, which produced consistent playoff teams. "Me and Sammy Morris are the only ones left from our draft class," he said. "But teams change, coaches change, every year we get new people. I can’t complain. It’s a blessing to still be around."’

‘"There a lot good players, particular at the receiver position, that have had great camps and have played well but there are only so many spots so it’s a tough predicament for our personnel guys to be in, said Bledsoe."’

‘Bills coach Gregg Williams said third-string quarterback Travis Brown is going to be out "a significant time" after having surgery to repair the dislocated middle finger on his right (throwing) hand on Wednesday. The Bills brought back rookie Jason Johnson, who was cut last week. But they will likely survey the final cuts this weekend for a better alternative.’

‘"This is a big game for me," Burns said. "The coaches are getting ready to make some tough decisions. All you can do is make the decision hard for them."’

‘” Our personnel department and coaching staff have some very difficult decisions this year,” said Bledsoe. ” I don’t envy our guys trying to make the decisions because there are some good players who unfortunately won’t be with us.”’

‘Along with drawing high praise from coach Gregg Williams, who was appreciative of Foster’s assistance when he was left short-handed after Fred Graves underwent surgery for prostate cancer, Foster has a big fan in Bills third-year star running back Travis Henry. ” Barry’s been a blessing,” Henry said.’

‘Kelly, who in 2002 became just the eighth quarterback inducted into the pro football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, came to Robins Air Force Base Wednesday to meet with personnel and to experience flight in an F-15E fighter jet. Bielanin and his civilian wife Angela were among the first from the 5th Combat Communications Group to meet with Kelly, who signed autographs and posed for pictures at the second of three stops on base.’