Two Bills Drive

‘Spikes has a potential obstacle to leaving the Bengals, though. He is the team’s leading tackler and one of the defensive cornerstones, which means there is a good chance Cincinnati will place either its transition or franchise tag on him, which would limit his options.’

REBOUND OF THE YEAR

Drew Bledsoe, Bills. Bledsoe found a friendly new home with, of all teams, New England’s division rival. He stayed healthy and prolific, developing a great go-to rapport with Eric Moulds.

Bills close 2002 season with a win. Watch the game highlights.

‘"I’m satisfied with 8-8 from where we were," owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. said. "Coming from where we were, we were worse off than an expansion team. I think the improvement’s been terrific."’

‘"This gives us hope for next year," said safety Coy Wire. "We don’t want the season to end. I can’t wait for next year."’

‘With the exception of losses to Oakland, the first New England game and the second New York Jets game, the Bills had a chance to win heading into the final period of the other five losses.’

‘"I’m sure Peerless is going to do the right thing and I’ll support him no matter what his decision is," Moulds said. "But I’m hoping he stays. We have a chance to do something special here and it would be a lot better if we were able to do it here together."’

‘Williams still has a lot to prove as a game-day coach. But he’s obviously earned the right to coach another year. Donahoe, the general manager, gushed about him after the win. If he has that much faith in Williams, he should give him a one-year extension and spare him the indignity of coaching as a lame duck next season.’

‘Perhaps no other Bills defender has shown more improvement over the last two games than rookie cornerback Kevin Thomas.’

‘Either the Bills or Dolphins will play on Thanksgiving at Dallas because the game will be on CBS, meaning the visiting team must be from the AFC. The Bills and Dolphins are the only AFC teams visiting Dallas next season.’

‘The paid attendance was announced at 47,850. The actual attendance was about 10,000 shy of that.’

‘In 45 games since LeBeau took over after Bruce Coslet resigned three games into the 2000 season, the Bengals have won just 12 times, including a 4-21 record in their last 25 contests.’

‘Still, Spikes will be a wanted man, and Buffalo could be a possible destination. Bills fans called openly to Spikes during the game, leaving a good taste in his mouth about this trip to Western New York. For the second straight week, Spikes played a top-flight game, leading the Bengals with 12 tackles, a half of a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, his third in the past two games.’

‘The Bills have suffered their share of defensive woes this season but finished off the season strong. In their final 12 quarters of the season, the Bills gave up just 32 points, including just three touchdowns.’

‘”We made progress, but we certainly hope there’s nobody in the locker room who’s satisfied with 8-8 and going home because if there is, we have the wrong people,” Donahoe said. “And I don’t think we do. I think our players realize we made progress, it’s close, but we’re not there yet, we still have work to do.”‘