‘Linebacker Junior Seau (groin) worked on Thursday; Sam Rogers (thumb) didn’t. But coach Mike Riley said Rogers is more certain to play Sunday against the Bills than Seau. "He’s not full speed, so we are going to reserve judgment,” Riley said of Seau. "But it is encouraging that he worked a little bit today." Said Seau: "I practiced at a controlled pace.” Riley said Rogers will play with a cast on his dislocated thumb. If Seau can’t go, Gerald Dixon would move from the strong side to Seau’s weakside position, with Rogers taking Dixon’s spot.’
BillsBeat - October 26, 2001
Rabid reunion
‘Wiley doesn’t begrudge the Bills’ decision. He just wishes they had made stronger attempt to keep him.’
Special teams get charged up
‘If the Buffalo Bills’ special-teamers didn’t realize they were in for a big test in San Diego, they found out the moment they looked in their locker stalls this week. The Bills’ special-teamers found a sign reminding them that the Chargers rank No. 1 in the NFL in kickoff coverage.’
Still touchy, Flutie remains a winner
‘Prick him lightly and you’ll find the resentments are still there, just beneath the surface.’
Hansen may come back from elbow injury against Chargers
‘Buffalo Bills defensive end Phil Hansen participated fully in workouts Thursday at the Bills’ practice facility and appears ready to return to the lineup Sunday against the San Diego Chargers.’
They meet again
‘"It’s the biggest (Bills) game since the last Super Bowl," said Chuck Dickerson, the "Coach" on WGR-AM. "Everyone has chosen sides, and those who deny it are BS’ers."’
Pillar of Bolts secondary, Harrison ceding stats
‘Strong safety Rodney Harrison did it all for the Chargers last season. He led the team in tackles (127), interceptions (six) and passes defensed (17), and outpaced every NFL defensive back with six sacks. The scary part? He’s playing better this year.’
Buffalo's QB isn't coy: 'Flutie not nice person'
‘”I’m not even going to respond,” he said. “I’m glad I’m here. I think there are a lot of people here, too, that are glad I’m here. I’ve got a lot of friends on that team and had a great experience in Buffalo. I enjoyed my three years in Buffalo and now I’m in a great situation here and looking to take a run at the playoffs.”‘
Flutie takes another shot
‘As of late yesterday, 5,000 tickets remained for Sunday’s game…’.
Doug's a big fan of Canadian ball
‘Chargers GM John Butler refused to be interviewed by Buffalo radio or TV stations this week. He did agree to talk to San Diego outlets, but only on the condition they didn’t share the tape with affiliates in Western New York.’
Johnson: I'm not facing Doug Flutie
‘"I don’t really care about them," Johnson said of Flutie Nation. "Fans are going to support who they want to and I don’t think it’s really going to change anything."’
Johnson almost reunited with Chargers coach Riley
‘The two very likely would have been reunited last off-season had the Bills decided to release Johnson and keep Doug Flutie as their quarterback. Instead, Flutie was let go, he signed with the Chargers, and now Johnson’s arch enemy is playing for his buddy. A strange twist indeed.’
Chargers, Bills not hiding dislike for each other
‘"It’s one thing to see football — that’s a drama in itself," Wiley said. "But this one’s expected to be a notch above that. It starts up top, all the way down to the field. It’s just relationships. It’s almost a chance for the little brother to beat up his big sister if he can, and mama don’t get mad."’
Containing Flutie key for Bills defense
‘The only one not expressing concern is nosetackle Pat Williams. "There ain’t no magic," Williams said of Flutie and the Chargers. "They lost against the Patriots, the Browns. They’ve been playing average. They ain’t showed me nothing."’
BillsBeat - October 25, 2001
Johnson-Flutie rivalry once again takes center stage Sunday
‘"I think he’s starting to get a good feel for it," general manager Tom Donahoe said of Johnson. "He played with a lot of courage and a lot of effort. He has all the tools. … He’s definitely a quarterback that can win a lot of games for us." Whether he ever wins more than Flutie, however, remains to be seen.’