Two Bills Drive

‘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.’

‘Once again praising the play of his offensive line in the Bears’ victory over Indianapolis, quarterback Jim Miller, who was not sacked in the game, said he gave all of his blockers gifts as a measure of his appreciation.’

‘The more you talk to people around the Bears, the more you hear offensive coordinator Gary Crowton wanted to make a quarterback change even before Cade McNown was injured.’

‘[Thomas] Smith spent his first seven seasons with Buffalo, and the Bears are counting on him for some keen insights, or anything that might make a difference when they face the Bills on Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘Wade Phillips, coach of the Buffalo Bills, knows what a quarterback controversy consists of, and he believes he doesn’t have one on his team.’

‘After waiting patiently and silently for the first half of the season, backup quarterback Jim Miller is getting his chance to play. But Shane Matthews, who moved up to No. 2 when Cade McNown was injured, may have to wait until next year to get back on the field – and it almost certainly won’t be in a Bears uniform.’

‘The monetary gift that quarterback Jim Miller bestowed upon his offensive teammates this week for their role in keeping him upright helping his production last Sunday was certainly appreciated but hardly necessary.’

‘Johnson has nearly recovered from his separated shoulder, but lacks preparation time to be the starter when the Bills play Chicago in Orchard Park this Sunday, coach Wade Phillips said.’

‘No, we’re not taking about Al Gore and George W. Bush, but a race far more important to some Western New Yorkers. The Buffalo Bills could announce today if Doug Flutie or Rob Johnson will be the starting quarterback against the Chicago Bears Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘But don’t you find yourself wishing Rob had a little more Jim Kelly in him? Regardless of where you stand on the quarterback controversy, don’t you feel like shaking the guy and asking him to start acting more like a leader?’

‘"Those two guys especially have done well for us this year," Phillips said. "Steve Christie is the best clutch kicker I think anybody could have. Sam Cowart is playing tremendous football. He, to me, is the top linebacker in the league right now. He backs it up with the number of plays he’s made. We’ve seen him play at a tremendously high level."’

‘The story quoted a Bills player as saying, "Rob seems distracted by things, like wanting everyone to like him."’