Two Bills Drive

‘Coaches should know enough to play this guy without always harping against his size. They should just shut up and give him the ball. Nope. After all these years, he still must deal with coaches who feel that a 5-foot-10, 180-pound quarterback can’t be trusted.’

‘"Starting in ’98 was when he really crashed on to the scene," New England coach Bill Belichick said. "It just seemed like coaching against him it was just a matter of time, because he’s big, he’s fast, he’s tough and he can really catch the ball."’

‘Buffalo Bills coach Wade Phillips confirmed the obvious on Thursday by finally admitting Doug Flutie will be his starting quarterback for Sunday’s 1 p.m. game against New England at Foxboro Stadium.’

‘"We’re trying to work something out," owner Ralph Wilson said yesterday. "We’re so tight to the cap still, but the cap will go up $5 million next year at least. Every salary on the team goes up automatically so it’s not like we’ve got an extra $5 million to spend. But we’ve talked to Eric’s agent and we’re working now on a plan to keep him and as many other players as we can. He’s a great, great receiver and we certainly want to keep him."’

‘Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson is confident his team’s 35-year-old rivalry with the Miami Dolphins will be preserved when the NFL realigns its divisions in 2002.’

‘It’s not a sexy position. Lined up against the opposing center, the nose tackle must possess a certain ferociousness. Tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. Meet Chad Eaton.’

‘With Eric Bjornson used more as a wide receiver, Rod Rutledge will get his big opportunity to be the team’s primary tight end for the first time since Ben Coates was sent packing after last season.’

‘Where is the Patriots tight end of the future? Apparently, he’s not on the current roster.’

‘It’s not often that 320-pound Patriots center Damien Woody lines up opposite a player larger than himself, but it will happen Sunday. Woody will stare across the line at vaunted Buffalo Bills nose tackle Ted Washington, who is generously listed at 6-foot-5, 330 pounds.’

‘On Sunday, Bledsoe and the Patriots begin the second half of their work year, meeting the Buffalo Bills at Foxboro Stadium and, in many ways, it may be the most significant time in Bledsoe’s eight-year career.’

‘Spires said Flutie’s lack of size (the Bills list the quarterback at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds) can often work to his advantage. "He’s a tough guy to locate behind all the big people who surround him," said Spires. "There are times you can’t find him until it’s too late. Oh, yeah, there’s another thing. He’s got a sixth sense about when to duck to avoid blitzers and when to take off just before the pocket is going to collapse."’

‘Of the 118 first downs the Bills have given up, only 26 have come via the run. A big reason is Washington.’

‘Sammy Morris is the first to admit this beats washing dishes at Sea World.’

‘Doug Flutie will start his third straight game in place of Rob Johnson, who’s injured right shoulder hasn’t fully recovered, Buffalo Bills coach Wade Phillips said Thursday.’

‘Rucci, who was drafted by the Patriots with the 51st overall pick in the 1993 draft with one of the choices acquired from Miami in exchange for Irving Fryar, signed a five-year, $10 million contract with a hefty signing bonus in February 1998. That contract, however, meant little if anything by the close of business Tuesday. The Patriots either had to release Rucci or add him to the roster this week.’