Two Bills Drive

‘Gardener’s absence will make things tougher for Dolphins middle linebacker Zach Thomas, who relies on Gardener and Tim Bowens to keep blockers off him.’

‘Last time the Miami Dolphins came to Orchard Park, it marked the end of the Buffalo Bills as we knew them. At 7-5, the Bills were coming off their body-bag game in Tampa, when Sam Cowart, Sam Rogers and Keion Carpenter were lost for the season — all in the second quarter. But even Buffalo’s second-half collapse against the Bucs didn’t portend what happened back in Western New York a week later. After all, Miami simply didn’t, couldn’t, wouldn’t win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in December. And even without more than a third of the starting defense (Antoine Winfield had gone down a week before the Tampa trio), the defense would just plug in four new guys. The offense, having been carried for the better part of the previous two years, would finally do some heavy lifting. That’s the way things had gone in this rivalry for nearly 15 years — the Dolphins might steal an early-season game here and there, but the Bills always won when it counted most. Especially at home.’

‘"I think that each week he’s gotten more and more comfortable, and our quarterbacks have gotten more and more comfortable with him," said Bills coach Gregg Williams.’

‘The 3,500 tickets will be distributed to Western New York youth football groups, public service agencies and various charitable organizations.’

‘In recent weeks, Buffalo Bills fans have had to endure drubbings on the football field and watching their quarterback pounded repeatedly into the turf until he couldn’t come back anymore.’

‘”The guy’s not even here anymore, (so) let’s quit talking about him,” Van Pelt said. “You turn on the radio and everyone is saying, ‘Well, Flutie wouldn’t have done that.’ Enough of that already. Let’s move on and let Rob be the quarterback.”‘

‘A few days after he was told to rest and rehabilitate his aching back, Gardener’s back locked up on him, further jeopardizing his ability to return this season. Gardener called the Dolphins Thursday morning and was instructed to go to the hospital. He still was in the hospital Thursday night.’

‘You remember the Dolphins, the team Bills fans love to hate and love to beat more than any other.’

‘Of the 185 points the Dolphins have allowed, 100 came after turnovers.’

‘Gardener was admitted to Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday morning after complaining of new pain in his back. It was the second time in the past two weeks that Gardener, who had a pain-relieving injection last week, had complained of back pain.’

‘After setting a franchise record with 94 receptions and leading the team with 1,326 yards receiving last season, Moulds has 32 catches for 404 yards this year, third among Bills receivers.’

‘Talks have quickly bogged down over the question of how to negotiate a long-term deal for a Pro-Bowl player who will have missed all of this season with a torn right Achilles’ tendon, Cowart’s agent Gene Burrough said on Wednesday.’

‘Centers’ best ability might be what he does in the locker room, having developed a keen ability in providing encouragement without being negative.’

‘"It’s still very premature at this time," coach Gregg Williams said Wednesday. "We definitely want to make sure that he’s healthy."’

‘"I’m frustrated just like every other guy here," Moulds said. "I’m used to winning. One and eight is not something I want to get used to. I’m used to helping the team win, and I feel like I’m not a part of that right now."’