Two Bills Drive

‘"I felt like I was embarrassed not getting a phone call from Mr. Wilson," Thomas said Wednesday, referring to Bills owner Ralph Wilson. "I really never got the opportunity to say, ‘Bye,’ or to wish everybody well there. … I just want to hear (Wilson’s) voice and hear him say what happened and how it went down."’

‘Defense — This is the strength of both teams and, although the Bills have an outstanding defense, the Dolphins are better because the Bills don’t have a linebacker like Zach Thomas or a defensive back like Sam Madison…Special teams — Olindo Mare will be the difference and Matt Turk should keep the Bills backed up…The Dolphins will win, say 17-13, and it will mean a wonderful bye week for a team that is quietly sneaking up on the rest of the league.’

‘When fullback Sammy Morris was taken by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round of the draft last April, his goals were modest. Maybe a few snaps here or there and an appearance or two on special teams would have made the former Texas Tech star very happy. Morris did earn a job on special teams. As for playing in the Bills’ backfield, that hasn’t worked out the way he expected. It’s worked out better.’

‘Butler is four months away from auctioning off himself. For some unfathomable reason, Ralph Wilson has not re-signed the big guy who bleeds Bills blue and red. It’s the current talk of the league, where Butler enjoys consensus ranking as one of the three or four best general managers in the NFL.’

‘Dolphins strong safety Brian Walker smiles at this topic. He’s been having to prove his toughness since he came into the league in 1996 as an undrafted 186-pound cornerback. It didn’t change this season when the 206-pounder was asked to switch from free safety. "My job is all about banging," Walker said. "Back there at free safety, you didn’t have to worry about going against the tight ends and pulling guards because those big guys don’t want to run downfield that far. I know I’ve got to play a physical game."’

‘It is farcical to consider the Bills a serious threat this year to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl and serve as sacrificial lambs to the St. Louis Rams. In fact, if the Bills lose Sunday in Miami, you may have to cross them off the list of contenders for the AFC playoffs because the hole they will be in will be almost inescapable.’

‘Lost amid the brouhaha surrounding the preseason demotion of ex-starter J.J. Johnson is the fact the Dolphins have another talented tailback worthy of playing time. Denson proved that in Sunday’s 31-16 victory over Cincinnati. "It got me a chance to show what I could do and that I could contribute," said Denson, who rushed eight times for 32 yards and caught one pass for five yards in his first action of the season. "I want them to feel I’m one of those players they kind of need to be out there every week."’

‘”When the opportunity arises, I think the people in the locker room count on me to make some plays. I want to do that for the people that are fighting [to win] everyday, especially when it gets down in the red zone.”‘

‘Mostly, Thomas’ former teammates put his remarks down to his typical behavior. Thomas has historically found ways to motivate himself through the perceived disrespect by others.’

‘Heading into a meeting with the Dolphins at Broward County’s Pro Player Stadium five days from now, the Bills are already in trouble in the AFC East. Bad enough they’re 2-2 a quarter of the way into the season, worse they’re 0-2 in the NFL’s toughest Division and about to meet a Miami team with a defense almost the equal of their own…on the road.’

‘In Monday’s Miami Herald, Thomas was especially harsh toward to defensive end Phil Hansen, strong safety Henry Jones and linebacker John Holecek. Thomas attacked Hansen for his public comments about fellow ex-Bill Bruce Smith and his training camp holdouts. Thomas also claimed Jones and Holecek disrespected him in practices.’

‘Thurman says he didn’t forget what happened in the offseason, but nobody forgot about him, either. The sorry thing about Thurman’s act is that he gave us a refresher course about himself. He’s older, but he’s not any wiser.’

‘"He`s as big as all outside." — Linebacker Robert Jones on Buffalo nose tackle Ted Washington.’

‘"I guess with Buffalo and the Jets, it starts feeling more intense around here than any other week because of the rivalry," receiver Oronde Gadsden said. "With the history between the teams we`ve put together, it`s going to be a little more intense."’

‘Robert Jones couldn’t say it last week. He wanted to, and he was even asked to, but he couldn’t say anything bad about Cincinnati for fear of motivating the Bengals. He doesn’t have such a problem this week with Buffalo up next. "Now that it’s done and over with, I can honestly say I didn’t have much respect for Cincinnati," the linebacker said. "I only said that (to the media), but I do respect Buffalo. Buffalo’s got a lot of talent. Great quarterbacks. Either one can give us trouble. Both have given us trouble in the past. Great wide receivers. A harem of running backs, massive offensive line. It’s going to be a tough, physical battle this week." How tough? "Look at their mascot," he said, "it’s a buffalo. There’s nothing finesse about a buffalo."’