‘In order for the Colts to make the playoffs, the following things have to happen, in this precise order: The Colts have to win every game. Everybody else has to lose every game.’
BillsBeat - December 11, 2000
Colts just can't compare to last season's version
‘Last season, nothing seemed to knock them out of sync. If they fell behind, they would rally. If they got the lead, they would put opponents away. Not any more.’
Don't Dump Wade -- Yet
‘Phillips’ country-boy manner makes him an easy target. His responses
to media queries sometimes meander around the point and sometimes miss it
altogether.’
BillsBeat - December 10, 2000
Wilson praises Phillips' job performance
‘"I think Wade has done a very good job," Wilson said this week. "He made the playoffs the first two years he was head coach. I think maybe for some people, if you don’t make the playoffs every year, then you fire the coach. Hah. Well, I don’t feel that way. I think he’s done a very good job, particularly with all the players we lost in the offseason."’
Wings, prayers and tattoos
‘It just so happens that Flutie never has had a single beer in his life. And Johnson never has had a chicken wing. Not one.’
If Bills can't run, decimated defense can't hide from Colts
‘Colts 34, Bills 17.’
Monday Night is huge for Johnson
‘Many view this as Johnson’s golden opportunity to show a nation of sports fan why there was a quarterback controversy in Buffalo to begin with. Why he deserved to start over folk hero Doug Flutie.’
Vanderjagt an also-ran once more?
‘Vanderjagt would embrace Pro Bowl recognition, but for a third consecutive year he is bracing himself for also-ran status. He was snubbed the past two seasons despite being more accurate than the players selected — Miami’s Olindo Mare in 1999, Elam in ’98.’
Wiley's tracks lead to quarterback
‘"He’s a speed rusher around the end, but he’s good against the run as well."’
BillsBeat - December 9, 2000
Turn Out The Lights...
‘As a result, Monday night’s game means a little more to the winner
than the loser. But not much.’
Fading down the stretch
‘…the Indianapolis Colts were the choice of many prognosticators to repeat as AFC East Division champions and represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. So much for predictions.’
Wonderful work of Wiley
‘Smith’s replacement, Marcellus Wiley, the shining light of the Bills locker room, has been every bit as productive a player as he is a quote machine for the media.’
Belser scores 100 as starter
‘So, when the Colts play AFC East rival Buffalo in the RCA Dome on ABC’s Monday Night Football, Belser will be on hand to hit from the secondary. It will mark the 100th consecutive start of his nine-year career.’
Cottrell optimistic Bills defense can hold its own against Colts
‘If last weekend was a baptism of fire for many Bills youngsters filling in for five injured starters, the challenge doesn’t get any easier.’
BillsBeat - December 8, 2000
Ex-Coaches Say Responsibilities Must Be Delegated
‘Marv Levy, winner of four straight AFC titles and loser of four straight Super Bowls as head coach of the Buffalo Bills, always went in with a clear definition of what it takes to win.’