‘”It was just another opportunity to go out and make the best of it,” Smith said. “You’re playing in front of the world on ESPN, and you want to be at your best. The offensive line did a great job and the receivers did a good job of blocking down field. Then it was up to me to make one man miss or break a tackle and see how many yards I could get.”‘
BillsBeat - December 24, 2000
FLUTIE GEM WON'T HELP WADE'S CASE
‘Flutie was, in short, the antithesis of Rob Johnson. It was as if he was staging a clinic for his rival, a demonstration of all the subtle qualities that Johnson lacks. He is still a better quarterback than Rob Johnson. Even at age 38, he has the superior instincts and improvisational skills required to function in Buffalo’s befuddled offense.’
SUNDAY BILLBOARD
‘Play of the Game: Doug Flutie had a bunch of them in the first half, when he threw for 249 yards and three touchdowns. The most impressive play, though, was a 33-yard pass to Peerless Price to set up the game’s first TD. Operating with an empty backfield, Flutie reacted to an all-out blitz by throwing the ball toward the vacated area and finding Price in single coverage.’
BILLS KEEPING FANS IN CHECK
‘The number of ejections climbed from 580 in 1998 to 966 last year, or about 120 per game. Though the Bills don’t like to publicize the exact number, sources said the figure stayed about the same, between 950 and 1,000, for the just-concluded home season.’
BillsBeat - December 23, 2000
Bills: We're focused on finale
‘If ever there was a run-for-the-bus game, this is it, though the Bills were saying all the right things this week as they prepared for their meeting with the Seahawks.’
Dismissal a relief for Butler
‘But daily contact with Wilson, who didn’t necessarily tell him what to do, but who wanted to know every detail of what he was doing, wore Butler down.’
Bills/ Seahawks scouting report
‘It’s hard to predict what might happen tonight in this meaningless season finale for the Bills and Seahawks. With both teams out of the playoffs, they’re playing for pride and the chance to make one last final impression on their respective coaching staffs. Is that enough to warrant a well-played game?’
Bills' future uncertain
‘To say there was an air of uneasiness in the Bills’ locker room this week, especially after Butler’s firing, is a huge understatement. The fact team owner Ralph Wilson Jr. decided to accompany the team west – he said it was to show his support for the team in Butler’s absence, others say it’s so he can fire coach Wade Phillips in person immediately after the game – hasn’t helped ease tensions.’
Meaningless game? Tell that to the Bills hoping to keep jobs
‘However, Phillips denies his job is on his mind. "I’m focused on this game, I’m coaching, I’m not even thinking (about my job)," he maintained. "(Owner) Ralph Wilson makes decisions based on what’s best for the Buffalo Bills. I’m sure he’ll make the right decision (on coaches)."’
Holmgren learns lesson in meaningless games
‘Mike Holmgren isn’t used to playing meaningless football games. The Seattle Seahawks’ head coach has worked 15 seasons in the National Football League and not until this year had he ever had a team involved in a losing season.’
More than a game at stake
‘Seahawks, 23-17.’
Seattle will pull out all the stops to contain Flutie
‘"I think, probably, Flutie is one of the best scrambling, creating quarterbacks who has ever played the game," said Seahawk defensive coordinator Steve Sidwell, acknowledging the headaches Flutie can cause an opposing coach.’
Capsule preview: Seahawks vs. Bills
‘Guard Ruben Brown was selected to his fifth straight Pro Bowl. Only Bill legends Bruce Smith (11), Andre Reed (7) and Steve Tasker (6) have earned more total Pro Bowl selections than Brown, a team captain this season.’
Holmgren plans another overhaul
‘There is a very real possibility that the Seahawks’ leading passer (Jon Kitna), receiver (Sean Dawkins) and rusher (Ricky Watters) could be gone after the season. Kitna is a free agent whom Holmgren is not expected to re-sign, while Dawkins and Watters might be let go in cost-cutting moves.’
Seahawks game preview
‘Pick: Bills, 27-20.’