Two Bills Drive

"The perception of Buffalo from the outside world is not real strong. You think of a bunch of snow, nasty weather, New York people and all that stuff. But it’s really been great. This area is a very family-oriented place; people are friendly and they kind of leave you alone. It’s almost like playing ball in a college town. They support the team. They’re not fair-weather fans.”’

Chargers.com: What is you fondest memory of your time in Buffalo?

John Butler: “Maybe hand in hand, the four straight Super Bowls was just a fond time and the people that I had a chance to work with in the organization. The players, the coaches, and the people in that town were just amazing in how much they loved football and how much they embraced that football team. That will always be something that sticks with me.”

Kendrick Office has been added (questionable)

‘"Tomlinson is a quick, explosive back. He’s deceptive. You watch him on film and you see he has power. He also has breakaway speed. We’ve faced good backs this year. This is another back on a long list of good backs we’ve faced."’

‘Parker, the starting right tackle for the San Diego Chargers, has missed the past four games after having surgery to repair a triceps injury. He is listed as questionable for Sunday but was able to practice Wednesday.’

‘Conway missed all or part of the next three games with nerve damage in the shoulder. He returned to practice yesterday for the first time since Nov. 27 and said afterward he’s cautiously optimistic about playing Sunday in Buffalo.’

‘”Last year, I used to get excited about playing teams that are ranked in the lower half in rushing (defense). But it seemed like every time we played those teams things didn’t go the way we wanted them to go.”‘

‘Flutie is 40 years old now, his days as a starter are over. The Chargers needed to put in place their quarterback of the future, and they have with Brees.’

‘ If No. 7 enters the game, he won’t go unnoticed, Bills coach Gregg Williams assured.’

‘Receiver Eric Moulds said he still talks to Flutie weekly.’

‘Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe isn’t about to concede, but he admitted the mood on the practice field and in the locker room has changed dramatically. "Obviously, guys aren’t laughing and joking as much as we were a week ago. The mood isn’t as light," Bledsoe said, referring last Sunday’s crushing 27-17 defeat at New England, Buffalo’s fourth loss in its last five games. "When you get in a situation like this, you find out a lot about the guys on your team," Bledsoe said. "So far, I can say everyone on the team has responded the right way."’

‘Snow is the forecast for Sunday. Temperatures in the low 30’s. Football weather. The Chargers are not used to football weather playing in the plush confines of sunny San Diego. This is the test of their meddle, the test of their will, the stumbling block that could dim their playoff hopes or help then take the next step towards success.’

Gregg Williams, Buffalo: There continues to be rumbling that he might be in trouble if the Bills don’t finish at .500. Those rumors are unsubstantiated, and while some of his decision-making can be scrutinized, he figures to have a playoff contender by 2003. Of course, if he doesn’t then he might have some concerns.

Security level: 3 (Secure … for now)

‘It doesn’t get any easier for the Bills, two weeks after giving up 228 yards rushing to Williams in a win over Miami, and four weeks after allowing Holmes 104 yards in a loss to Kansas City.’

‘Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer said that wide receiver Curtis Conway, who has missed the last two and a half games with a shoulder injury, and starting right tackle Vaughn Parker, who has been out for four games with an elbow injury, both returned to practice on Wednesday. Conway and Parker were both listed as questionable on the Chargers’ official injury report.’