Two Bills Drive

‘Linebacker Zach Thomas, who has an injured neck and shoulder, practiced Friday and will play in Sunday’s regular-season finale against Buffalo at Pro Player Stadium because a home playoff game is at stake.’

‘"I know when you play those significant snaps like that, 36 or 38 minutes, it’s hard for the defense to hold in there," Buffalo coach Gregg Williams said. "It’s tough for your defense to hold up that long. In the AFC East, you see all those defensive-minded coaches being the head coaches. They understand time of possession is critical. That’s how you improve as a team: By keeping the [opposing] offenses off the field by your offense being out there longer."’

‘This is almost exactly where the San Francisco 49ers were two years ago, when they finished 4-12 after hitting the same salary-cap wall that has smacked down the Bills.’

‘”I just haven’t been productive,” said Smith, who has rushed for 810 yards on 283 carries. “Teams have been stopping me. Stopping me cold. When Travis gets in there the ball moves, the chains move. He’s playing great. He’s winning games. I haven’t been productive, so we’ve got to find more ways to utilize Travis.”‘

‘Before Larry Coker was named Butch Davis’ successor as Hurricanes coach, Athletic Director Paul Dee made a push for Wannstedt to return to the school where he was an assistant from 1986-88.’

‘While praising Van Pelt’s performance, Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe has said Johnson will be cut unless he re-negotiates a contract that represents an $11.2 million salary cap hit next season. Van Pelt, 31, made the $477,000 veteran minimum this season for a Bills team (3-12) building for the future.’

‘The Buffalo Bills placed offensive lineman Jerry Ostroski and defensive tackle Shawn Price on injured reserve Friday, two days before the team’s season finale at Miami.’

‘Of those draftees that made the cut, five of those players now are listed as starters on the depth chart at the end of their rookie seasons, as Jonas Jennings, Travis Henry, Aaron Schobel, Brandon Spoon and Nate Clements have all earned starting roles.’

‘Should the Dolphins fall to the Bills, they will have no shot at the division or a bye, as the Jets would be able to claim the title with a win over Oakland, and if they fail to do that, New England would beat out Miami on a divisional tie-breaker. ‘

‘Guy thinks the Dolphins may have a tough time in the post-season, primarily because of their absence of a running game this year.’

‘Details concerning how much money he would earn were not immediately known, but it’s believed to be structured with more money in the first part of the contract, plus a signing bonus worth well more than $5 million.’

‘”It is not uncommon for teams to apply for trademarks that are never utilized,” the Bills said in a statement released Thursday. “We continually look at possible additional trademarks, but that does not mean that any of those possibilities become reality.”‘

‘It’s been a horrible year on the field, as evidenced by a 3-12 record entering Sunday’s finale in Miami. And it’s hard to find an NFL team that has contributed less value to fantasy football.’

‘Sunday at Miami, one catch by Riemersma will give the Bills four players with at least 50 catches each for the first time in team history and just the 18th time in NFL history.’

‘If the Panthers snap the streak and Miami wins, the Dolphins capture the AFC East title and a first-round bye.’