Two Bills Drive

Quarterback Alex Van Pelt, punter Brian Moorman, safety Tony Driver, kicker Mike Hollis, center Michael Early, defensive end Kendrick Office will host the 2nd annual Bills Sports Challenge to benefit Children's Hospital of Buffalo. Kids will join the players in the fieldhouse to participate in interactive games, autograph sessions and even race the players on the power wheels racetrack. All proceeds benefit Children's Hospital of Buffalo.

Head coach Joe Bremer of St. Mary's High School has been named the Buffalo Bills' high school football "Coach of the Week" for the tenth weekend of the 2002 season (Nov. 8-9). St. Mary's rallied for 12 points in the final 4:09 to hand Turner-Carroll a 19-14 loss to win the Monsignor Martin Association's League A title last Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

‘This is the first time the Bills have owned at least a piece of first place in the AFC East this late in the season since they were 7-4 in 1998.’

‘Of the 88 players brought in, a dozen were defensive linemen. There were also 13 punters and kickers, though Brian Moorman and Mike Hollis don’t have anything to worry about. The Bills are no different than most NFL teams that bring in free agents throughout the season. But the volume of players the Bills brought in last week is unusual.’

‘Upon review, Hollis’ first kick against the Patriots was held up by the wind, the second involved a bad snap and hold, and the third he simply hurried.’

‘The Rams don’t always win but they consistently put on the best show in the NFL. The Bills could be the new version of the Rams but only if they retain Price to team with WR Eric Moulds, QB Drew Bledsoe and RB Travis Henry.’

‘The Chiefs have scored a paltry 33 points in their last two games. They topped that total in a single game five times earlier in the season. Just as their defense seems to have solved some of its problems, the Chiefs may now be wrestling with an entirely different set of troubles. And there is some urgency to the situation because they figure to need a lot of points to beat another high-scoring team, Buffalo, on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.’

”’We’re sitting pretty but we have to continue to play hard to stay that way,” receiver Eric Moulds said. ”It’s great to have an opportunity to have a chance to be in first place and continue to fight for it. Now you have to stay in the same position that you’re in and make other teams try to catch up.”’

‘Winfield, who was hurt during practice, had arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage on Oct. 18. He’s experienced only minor swelling since resuming practice last week.’

‘The standing joke is that the perfect season for NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue would be for all 32 teams to finish 8-8. Well, we’re not there quite yet, but take a look at today’s standings. Fifteen teams are either 5-4, 4-5 or 4-4. And that doesn’t include Pittsburgh and Atlanta, both 5-3-1. That’s over half the league within two games of .500.’

Can you be more analytical about the games in your Monday column?

Yes, I COULD analyze every key play and each players’ performance. But I usually don’t, and here’s why: Nearly every independent media outlet that provides quality coverage of the Bills gives fans expert analysis. You can find this in the paper, on television, and especially on the web. (Click on our link to twobillsdrive.com and it’ll take you there.)

‘Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms and Armen Keteyian.’

‘The Buffalo Bills’ bye week offered their players, coaches, fans and analysts a free Sunday to either dwell on or forget last week’s humiliation at the hands of Drew Bledsoe’s former employer, the New England Patriots. Each of the above groups, save the guys who patched together Buffalo’s miserable offensive and defensive game plans, would do well to take the latter option. Getting undressed on national television couldn’t have boosted the self-esteem of the players or their faithful, especially after a three-game winning streak and 5-3 start launched premature playoff talk. But to put things in perspective, look back not one week, but 52. A year ago this bye week, the Bills staggered home after another loss to the Patriots, that one in New England. The 21-11 pounding dropped Buffalo to 1-7, with a blitz everyone in Foxboro Stadium could see coming, effectively ending the season for both Rob Johnson and the team he was supposed to save.’

‘Realistically, to win the division, or at very least earn a wild card berth, Buffalo must win 10 games. That means five more victories from games against the Chiefs, Jets, Dolphins, Patriots, Chargers, Packers and Bengals.’

Bid on several Buffalo Bills autographed items, including a Peerless Price autographed football and a 2002 Team Autographed Helmet.