Two Bills Drive

"I think Buffalo is a great football town. I think it's more of a college atmosphere. When you think of football, Buffalo has to be one of the top cities because the fans love it. I love playing here just because of that college atmosphere. It reminds me a lot of Tennessee. It's just the weather that is the difference."

A two-time All-New England tackle at Boston College, Smerlas was disappointed to slip to the second round of the 1979 NFL draft. But after hearing from Bills coach Chuck Knox, he quickly became excited about heading to Buffalo irregardless of when he was selected.

‘He ranks 23rd in the league in punt return average and 26th in kickoff return average.’

‘Ahanotu then stretches out on the homemade bed he constructed in the middle of the limo, and he sleeps just about the entire two-hour ride to the stadium, waking only to pass through customs.’

‘”The knee feels real good, I’ve practiced the last couple days. I get a little pinch every now and then but with this week and next week coming up, I’ll be ready.”‘

‘”I think it was a weak call, but that’s what happens,” McGinest said. “You gotta play with it. Gotta deal with it.”‘

‘In other situations, like in Ralph Wilson Stadium, it’s harder to explain. It’s difficult to believe the Buffalo Bills box office somehow managed to identify potential idiots from afar and handily assigned them to an area that resembles their natural habitat. But perhaps in some circumstances the Bills ticketers do have that power.’

The blowout loss to the Patriots was a letdown, but it can’t damper an exciting start to the season. No one thought of the Bills being a playoff contender coming into the season. Quarterback Drew Bledsoe passed for 2,802 yards and did a remarkable job of getting the ball to the outside receivers. Eric Moulds had 62 receptions for 853 yards and Peerless Price was right behind him with 60 receptions for 838 yards. The success on offense made Bills fans forget the problems on defense, which resurfaced against the Patriots. The schedule toughens in the second half, but Gregg Williams has a great chance to get this team to eight or nine wins, which is a big step after a 3-13 season.

Grade: B-plus.

Price had a team-high nine receptions for 98 yards and one touchdown against New England. He extended his consecutive games with a reception streak to 48 with a 16-yard catch in the second quarter. His fifth reception of the day, a 17-yard effort in the third quarter, was his 56th grab of the season and established a new single-season high for the fourth-year wide receiver.

‘In 1993 Bledsoe was the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, and Steinberg was his agent. But now Steinberg is suing his former partner, David Dunn, for $40 million for allegedly swiping most of his clients, including Bledsoe.’

November 20, 1988 -"FANDAMONIUM" – BILLS WIN AFC EAST TITLE

Bills' kicker Scott Norwood kicked the game-winning field goal, 3:47 into overtime to give Buffalo a 9-6 victory over the NY Jets at Rich Stadium. NT Fred Smerlas blocked a Pat Leahy 40-yard field goal attempt with 19 seconds left in regulation. It was Buffalo's first AFC East title since 1980.

‘Of the remaining seven games, five are against teams at or above .500 and all have legitimate postseason hopes, save the 1-7 Cincinnati Bengals, whom the Bills play in the regular-season finale.’

‘Dubenion thinks Fowler might have become one of the best Bills ever if not for the Achilles’ injury. "He had as much talent as anyone," Dubenion said.’

‘But the reality is, the Patriots exploited flaws in every area of the Bills … offense, defense, special teams and coaching. And Buffalo won’t be playing in January unless they’re corrected.’

‘Battle of Bledsoe, Brady and Belichick – Buffalo vs Beantown – bluntly being broken down to a blatant boor.’