Two Bills Drive

The Ft. Lauderdale, FL-based Sports Fans of America Association, Inc. has awarded its 2002 NFL Sports Fan’s Quality Award to the Buffalo Bills as the league’s “Fan Friendliest” team.

‘Marty Schottenheimer doesn’t get back often, but he always thought fondly of Western New York. He enjoyed some of his best days playing football as a linebacker for the Buffalo Bills in the 1960s.’

‘Friends say he remains undecided. Bills officials have heard these rumblings before and won’t give them much credence until they hear it from Van the Man himself.’

‘Quarterback Drew Bledsoe was elected Bills Man of the Year, fullback Larry Centers earned Unsung Hero, receiver Josh Reed was named Rookie of the Year, and the trio of Mike Hollis, Brian Moorman and Sammy Morris will be honored as Special Teams Players of the Year.’

‘”It’s been a great transition coming in here,” he said. “The perception of Buffalo from the outside world is not real strong. You think it’s just a bunch of snow and nasty weather. But it’s really been great. This area is a very family-oriented place. People are friendly; they kind of leave you alone. It’s almost like playing in a college town. It’s not crowded. They support the team. The whole thing has been a good move for us all around.”‘

‘”So many times Buffalo is maligned because of the weather and things, but I always say the people there are special. Those fans are great. They were football-wild fans – and still are.”‘

‘Gilbride would love planting an uppercut on the Chargers. He doesn’t like to expand on it, but it’s obvious he’s still bitter about being dismissed in 1998 by then-general manager Bobby Beathard after 22 games.’

‘”It just doesn’t seem right that a coin flip should determine the outcome of the game. Guys are fighting, playing hard and if a team returns a kickoff, the other team should at least get the opportunity to match it. Once they have that opportunity and lose, I don’t have a problem with it being sudden death. You can’t play forever. But it seems to me that would be a more fair system.”‘

‘”As much as I love those players and the people in that organization, I’m a Charger now, and we’re coming there to try and play the Bills well and hopefully get a win.”

The Bills playoff hopes were dashed last week in New England, they now have to rely on pride the rest of the way. It starts with a chance to put a crimp into the playoff hopes of former GM John Butler when the San Diego Chargers come to Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday.

Nate Clements felt the Bills played the best this year when the players were reacting on instinct, rather than adhering to the stringent functions of a system.

San Diego (+3) at Buffalo: Peerless Price needs a new agent. Why aren’t we seeing him on a billion holiday ads? Hi, I’m Peerless Price and you can find me at . . . whatever. The big-ticket stereo store. AOL. The auto agency. The Chia Pet boutique. Somewhere selling Something. Pick: Chargers.

May require registration

Bills: Up With basically no tiebreakers, things didn’t look very good for the Bills even before Sunday. Well, after Sunday they look even worse. At 6-7, the Bills now trail eight teams (they’re behind the Ravens based on conference record) in the wild-card race. That’s just way too many teams to pass.

Two from CBS Sportsline:

The Texans love what they’ve been getting from linebacker Jay Foreman, who was traded by Buffalo before the season. Foreman has done well against the run and the pass playing inside in the Texans’ 3-4 scheme. The Bills might have made a mistake when they decided to trade him and go with Eddie Robinson outside. Foreman clearly has outplayed the veteran.

Look for the Falcons to make a strong push to sign Buffalo receiver Peerless Price after the season. Price, who will become an unrestricted free agent, will be one of the hottest properties on the open market. Washington will also be in the mix, and the Bills want him back. The Falcons will have the cap room to pay him and the idea of playing with Michael Vick will help in the recognition game. Price’s ability to run all the routes separates him from the rest of the receivers who will be in the market.

Tomlinson Notes: Broke the Chargers single-season rushing record last Sunday against Oakland… had 220 yards on Dec. 1 vs. Denver… On Sept. 29 vs. New England he ran for 217 yards… is the NFL's second-leading rusher with 1,375 yards.