Two Bills Drive

‘Big Picture: The Bills are out of first place in the AFC East, out of the undefeated ranks and, for 13 days, out of chances to redeem themselves for a shoddy performance in the Jersey Meadowlands.’

‘It was as if the Jets’ determined grab for their first 3-0 start in 34 years took on human form. There was cornerback Marcus Coleman, streaking out of the slot on the last play of the first half and out-leaping five Buffalo Bills defensive players to pull down Vinny Testaverde’s 45-yard heave. It was a Keyshawn Johnson-type catch made by a fifth-year cornerback who now counts as many touchdown catches this season as the team’s former receiving star. Though the Jets would get two John Hall field goals in the second half, it was Coleman’s game-turning touchdown that lifted the Jets to their feel-good, 27-14 victory yesterday.’

‘Last year, Kevin Williams was lying in a hospital bed. He wasn’t wondering if he was going to play football again. He was worried that he was going to die.’

‘The last time the Jets were 3-0, Star Trek was a hot new show on television and William Shatner was a slim young star with a full head of hair.’

‘"Well, obviously it was a disastrous game for us," coach Wade Phillips understated. "I don’t think I’ve been in a game where we’ve made quite that many mistakes." Good thing, because Phillips’ insides would be devoured by ulcers.’

‘Despite having seven men in the secondary, including three surrounding Coleman in the end zone, the Bills somehow allowed Coleman to catch the ball which provided the Jets a 21-14 lead at the intermission.’

‘Riemersma, who was off to a hot start, suffered what could be a long-term injury to his left knee early in yesterday’s 27-14 loss to the New York Jets. He will have an MRI today and his status will be updated.’

‘Buffalo Bills special teams coach Ronnie Jones says he doesn’t read the newspapers or listen to the call-in shows. Smart man, that Mr. Jones. Because today’s nationwide analysis of his work during his brief time in Western New York would leave him wishing he got into a safer, less visible line of work. Like mortician. Wait. He’s already working with a bunch of stiffs. After yesterday’s 27-14 loss to the New York Jets, though, I’ve got a real good hunch Bruce DeHaven will be reading and listening. And gloating. It’s only right.’

‘No shows…Bills special teams: Horrendous. Pathetic. Pitiful. Pick a word and it fits for this group. There isn’t enough space in this newspaper to chronicle the foul-ups the Bills had in the kicking game, so if you didn’t see the game, take our word for it. Bad coverage, turnovers, penalties, a blocked field goal, forgetting to go on the field, it all happened. And amazingly, this came against the Jets, a team that also has been terrible on special teams this season.’

‘"It was a better 7-point lead," Coach Al Groh said. "The math reads the same but it was better for our heart."’

‘An ever-growing confident tribe that spun Buffalo for a loop, 27-14, yesterday at Giants Stadium. A tribe riddled with questions that so far has produced answers. With a 3-0 record, the Jets thus far are fulfilling a role rarely seen in sports. Off-season turmoil and chaos plus a new head coach nearly always mean slow, sluggish and meandering starts. The Jets, instead, have hit the ground in a peppy and productive stride. They have won three games in a style and manner that indicates the depth of their mentality, their fortitude. Apparently, a true tribe.’

‘Is this the touchdown ball or the game ball?" Kensil asked. "That’s the touchdown ball," Williams said. "I’ve got the game ball here in my bag." "Give me that one, too," Kensil said.’

‘"That’s ridiculous," said Bills coach Wade Phillips, who watched the 6-2 Coleman outjump three defenders in the back of the end zone. "We should’ve had everybody back on the goal line. They should be waiting for the ball instead of jumping for the ball. We just relaxed and it cost us."’

‘”It wasn’t about me,” Groh would say when it was over and the Jets had won 27-14, shutting out the Bills in the second half. “I didn’t do anything.” Sure he did. He coached his team the way he has coached it from the start, as if he has been coaching it for a long time.’

‘Coleman outleaped three Buffalo defenders to haul in a 45-yard floater from Vinny Testaverde on the last play of the first half yesterday, playing the same role Johnson once did in Hail Mary situations. The only difference was, it worked. "I think over in my career, I’ve only completed one Hail Mary pass and that was on the 2-yard line," Testaverde said. "This was the first time I completed one for a touchdown."’