Two Bills Drive

‘With a trip to Miami looming, the Bills can’t afford a letdown. Bledsoe has another big day in a 27-16 victory.’

‘Pitts has the size (6-4, 320) to overpower the 6-4, 265-pound Schobel in the running game. But Schobel has the speed and athleticism to take advantage of Pitts’ limited quickness and lateral movement in pass-rushing situations.’

‘"My goal for Hunter each day," Waggoner said, "is giving him the best quality of life he can have and thanking God each morning that he is here again today."’

‘”We don’t have a winning record right now and we have an opportunity to get to 3-3. We have to go out there and take it because I’m sure they’re going to be up for the game, they’re not going to come out and lay down for us.”‘

”’The coaches say the perfect tackle is any that gets an opponent on the ground, but I feel you can really express your emotions in a tackle. This game is all about spirit and the best way to win is to crush the other team’s spirit. You do that by crushing their body first.”’

‘[Q:] Do you still project only a 6-10 record for the Bills? [A:] Yes, but an entertaining and completely satisfying 6-10.’

‘”Every game they’ve played, they’ve moved the ball up and down the field,” he said. “Drew Bledsoe back there gives them a guy who can throw the ball any place on the field. They have a very talented receiving corps and it’s produced tremendous results for them.”‘

‘For instance, Bledsoe might be more inclined to try to fit a ball into tight coverage than a quarterback with lesser arm strength such as Tom Brady, the man who took Bledsoe’s job in New England. Sometimes, the result is an interception instead of a sack or an incomplete pass. Other times, the result is a big play that few quarterbacks could have made.’

‘For example, we have every right to ask the offense to move the football with a modicum of efficiency and consistency against the Bills at Reliant Stadium this afternoon. It should be able to score touchdowns (plural) and accumulate an acceptable sum of total yards because Buffalo has yet to surrender fewer than 27 points in any of its five games while being burned for more than 40 twice.’

‘Still, when Houston (1-3) plays host to the Buffalo Bills (2-3) at noon today in Reliant Stadium, the Texans believe they have a good shot at tying the mark for the fastest expansion team to two wins.’

‘Buffalo, just 3-13 last season, could match that win total today with 10 games to go. Loath as he is to take the credit, Bledsoe has allowed, “It’s nice to be wanted.” Again.’

‘"It’s fun personally to work with a guy who thinks he has something to prove," Bills coach Gregg Williams said. "He’s on a mission. He wants to make sure everyone understands he’s not done playing this game and he can play at a high level for quite a while."’

‘They have the shop, but no driver, sponsors, crew chief or manufacturer was announced Friday. However, Kelly did say the Hunter’s Hope Foundation he and his wife Jill created for their son, Hunter Kelly, who was born with Krabbe’s disease will be a prominent part of the team. "With the support of the Busch Series and Frank Cicci Racing, Hunter’s Hope will reach more people than ever before," Kelly said. "Our goal is to increase public awareness of the foundation and ultimately to raise funds to support research efforts to find a cure for Krabbe and other leukodystrophies."’

‘He’s making $2.5 million after refusing a pay cut, which was what the Bills proposed when they asked him to restructure his contract. His deal calls for him to make $3.5 million next season, but there’s a better chance he’ll be released.’

‘”As a matter of fact I starred in his Nike commercial for three or four years based on that game,” Bledsoe said with a laugh, recalling the ad that featured Smith’s wipeout of Bledsoe.’