Two Bills Drive

‘Verizon Wireless purchased the remaining tickets for Sunday’s game to ensure the local blackout will be lifted.’

‘Four of those 15 – Schulz, Bruce Smith, Thomas Smith and Dusty Zeigler – are starting and making a major contribution to their new teams. Two others – Thurman Thomas and Sean Moran – have contributed regularly in backup roles. The other eight ex-Bills are either out of the NFL or have seen very limited time with their new clubs.’

‘Buffalo Bills quarterback Rob Johnson went whack and smacked Doug Flutie, entering The Jungle in a telephone call last week from B-Lo with Van Smack that led to a story in the fishwraps the next day.’

‘For four seasons, Eric Moulds and Thomas Smith were gunslingers using rubber bullets.’

‘Kaseem Sinceno began his Bears career as the "other" name on the announcement, the player signed the day they traded tight end Alonzo Mayes to the Miami Dolphins. What he is becoming is something the Bears have spent years and draft picks looking for: a tight end who rarely comes off the field.’

‘For the first time since the post-Super Bowl days, the Bears have two players whom opponents are beginning to fear: Brian Urlacher and Mike Brown.’

‘Kennison is playing Bobby Engram’s role as the inside receiver in the Bears’ offense, with statistics not usually associated with a speed receiver–29 receptions for 271 yards (9.3 yards per catch) and a long play of 24 yards.’

‘"It’s a big stadium, (the fans) make a lot of noise and they know when to do it," Jauron said. "The weather is not dissimilar from our weather. In terms of the wind, same kind of wind. It is unpredictable at times and it will swirl. We will have to see what we get on Sunday."’

‘"I think it’s kind of like it was last week in that our goal – and it looks like we’ll be able to do it – is let Rob be the backup quarterback this week," Phillips said. "I think he’ll be ready to do that, and Doug will be the starter."’

‘It didn’t take the Bears long – less than one practice, in fact – to realize that Mike Brown was special.’

‘But is [Thomas] Smith willing to share secrets? "Well, I do know a lot about the defense and the personnel there, so any advice I could give I surely will," he said.’

‘Coach Wade Phillips determined yesterday following practice that Doug Flutie would start for the fourth game in a row Sunday when the Bills host the Chicago Bears at not-yet-soldout Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘Probably no one outside the Buffalo Bills organization could have predicted that Keith Newman would become one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2000 season.’

‘That gives the Bills until 1 p.m. today to sell 2,000 remaining tickets. Sponsors could purchase any remaining tickets, ensuring the season’s sixth sellout and the 14th in the last 15 games.’

‘But it is outside linebackers Keith Newman, who leads the Bills with four sacks, and Sam Rogers who will trigger most of the mayhem for the Bears to sort out. When a linebacker blitzes to the outside, typically the tackle slides out to block him, meaning the guard on that side must move quickly to block the defensive end to that side.’