Two Bills Drive

‘Antowain Smith has yet to show he’s the kind of runner defenses fear, the way they used to respect Thurman Thomas, who is still around. The Bills lost twice to the Jets and twice to the Dolphins including playoffs last year. They must do better within the division.’

‘The offensive line gets a makeover, with Jerry Ostroski moving to centre to replace Dusty Ziegler, and second-year Robert Hicks moving in at right tackle. Hicks was superb in three starts last season, but has to handle a heavier workload. There may be more change in store on the OL, with Joe Panos bothered by a bulging disk in his neck that has robbed him of some strength and may keep him out of the start of the season, if not more. Even more than Flutie, it’s this offensive line that may indeed determine the Bills’ success.’

‘Buffalo 24, INDIANAPOLIS 17 — The Bills are 15-4 against the spread (ATS) in the last 19 meetings and 7-1 in the last eight meetings outright. The 2 1/2-point underdog Colts are closing the talent gap but probably aren’t ready to turn the tables yet.’

‘Walk into the administration building at Ralph Wilson Stadium and standing in the corner is a soft sculpture of an NFL referee wearing glasses and signaling a touchdown. It was commissioned by owner Ralph Wilson for display at his private Super Bowl party in January dubbed, “We get the last laugh party.”‘

‘In Buffalo, the magic is still there in the 5-9 form of quarterback Doug Flutie. But don’t be surprised if Rob Johnson plays a key role in the underrated Bills’ attempt to win their first title since 1995.’

‘Polian and Ted Marchibroda’s relationship dates back to Buffalo, where Marchibroda was the offensive coordinator when Polian was the general manager assembling the Bills teams that would play in the Super Bowl after the 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993 seasons. So it was natural for Marchibroda to call and offer his congratulations when Polian took over as Colts president two years ago.’

AFC East:

4. Buffalo Bills

‘The Bills should make the playoffs again, especially if they learn how to beat division rivals on the road. With Flutie and five-receiver sets, they are going to be fun to watch.’

‘Yet Polian, too, deserves credit. He has not taken a wishin’-and-hopin’ approach to running the shop. He has acted boldly and decisively, without regard to the reaction his moves might create. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.’

‘”To have a chance to open the season against (the Bills) is something I’m looking forward to. It’s my first time to play against guys I love as friends … Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith, Ted Washington, guys that are left from when I was there.”‘

‘”Flutie is smart and has the ability to elude the pressure to make a play. And that is what makes him special. His decision-making is very good. He gets rid of the ball quickly, so he’s not going to get sacked much,” Phillips said. “Manning does that, too.”‘

‘”It is exciting, because it’s the beginning of another season. Thirteen years, whoever thought I’d be playing 13 years in the NFL,” Bennett said. “I’m excited about playing Buffalo … getting a chance to play against guys that I love as friends.”‘

‘Some might say that neither Reed nor Bruce Smith would be missed now that receiver Eric Moulds is emerging as a superstar, and defensive end Marcellus Wiley has proved more than capable. But the Bills say they would be lost without the Super Bowl veterans.’

Sal Maiorana previews the Bills-Colts and also has this to say:

FEARLESS FORECAST

Doug Flutie is not going to take the big dip that many people are predicting this season. Opposing teams now have more video on Flutie to study, but the bottom line is that this guy knows how to play the game. Whatever defenses throw at him, he’ll find a way to exploit it. He may not be as dynamic as last year, but that’s only because it will be tough to top last year.

He actually picked the Colts to win.

‘Flutie, 36, was rewarded with a huge contract, thus giving Buffalo two signal callers (backup Rob Johnson is the other) with starting-quarterback salaries. The downside of this was that the Bills couldn’t afford to make a peep in the offseason free agent market, and therefore are pretty much the same team they were a season ago.’