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BillsBeat - September 15, 2002
There's no defense for Vikes' Moss
‘”I’m fortunate that I haven’t been in a locker room with a guy like that. I’ve been lucky enough to have a lot of team guys who were out for the best interests of the team rather than individually. It wouldn’t make me feel good about having him playing with me.”‘
Bills' next step is learning to win
‘”Somebody has to make a big play, somebody has to do something to win the game. When you’ve got a bunch of guys knowing what they need to do, coming in here and working hard, good character guys who care, I think it will be a natural process and you’ll start seeing this team winning games.”‘
Q&A with London Fletcher
‘”Get another ring. I want to do whatever I can to make this team become world champions. I think we’re headed in the right direction. I really have a good feeling about this organization and the coaches.”‘
Must-win time for the Bills and Vikings? You betcha
‘Buffalo has won only four of its last 22 regular-season games. “We need a win to get a better feeling about ourselves,” admitted Bills’ coach Gregg Williams, who’s 3-14 since replacing Wade Phillips. But there’s a similar urgency for the Vikings, who have won a mere five of their past 20 games.’
Vikings to rely on three-back rotation
‘Vikings coach Mike Tice has created a rotating running back system, one he will operate by instinct and with only one assurance: Each back will get meaningful carries in every game.’
Details: The Vikings running backs
‘Michael Bennett: 5-9, 211 pounds. . . . Left Wisconsin after one season as starter, leaving steep learning curve for NFL. . . . Track star who has run 100 meters in 9.9 seconds. . . . Turned screen pass into 80-yard touchdown last season, but longest career run is only 31 yards. . . . Vikings need his breakaway threat on field, so he is expected to get twice as many carries as either Chapman or Williams.’
Revived, refreshed and ready
‘”Drew’s one of the best when he’s on,” Bromell said. “When that guy is in a zone, he’s hard to beat. He was a star in New England and he looks like’s on his way again.”‘
Bills vs. Vikings
‘Gregg Williams knows how to motivate his players. In spite of a terrible season – the Bills finished 3-13 – the Bills played hard the entire season. They upset the Jets at the Meadowlands 14-9, and they took the New England Patriots to overtime in December. But the Bills made significant upgrades to this team during the offseason, and Williams must produce better results.’
BillsBeat - September 14, 2002
Bills taking steps forward
‘"There was a tremendous amount of positive that we have a chance to build on," Williams said, "but you play the game to win. Minnesota’s going through the same thing."’
Containing Culpepper a big order
‘Bills cornerback Nate Clements summed it up perfectly when he quipped, "It’s tough trying to tackle a quarterback that’s bigger than you are."’
Kelly's career takes spotlight in 'Beyond the Glory' documentary
‘For Western New Yorkers, there’s no more new here than in the Flutie special. But the footage of Kelly playing in high school and in college still makes this compelling viewing.’
Unitas enjoyed success when playing the Bills
‘Unitas played seven games against Buffalo as a member of the Colts (6) and San Diego Chargers (1). His teams were 6-0-1 in those games (he was 4-0-1 as a starter and came off the bench the two other times).’
Bledsoe a good fit with Bills offense
‘Bledsoe considers Buffalo a perfect fit off and on the field. He enjoys the small-town atmosphere as well as an offense he says suits him better than any he has played in before.’
Bills not 'that' bad
‘"I was licking my chops, thinking we could take advantage of something,” Morrow said. "But really, I didn’t see much other than a pretty good special teams unit. I mean that. They didn’t have many breakdowns, even though it would seem that way. There was just some missed tackles.”’