With the clock winding down in the fourth quarter and his team trailing 16-10, the Bills quarterback was calm and focused in the huddle as the game's final drive was about to begin. He encouraged his teammates to bear down, execute their assignments and move the ball down the field to win the game. And that's exactly what happened. After a rather sloppy effort against a pesky underdog, the game winning touchdown came in the dying seconds and Bills fans celebrated a key victory, went home happy and probably felt a little more confident in their starting quarterback. After all, he was signed to be a back-up - an insurance policy really - in case the anointed starter was injured or floundered. The date was October 18, 1998 and the quarterback's name was Doug Flutie.
I had seats in the upper deck to watch Flutie's first start as a Buffalo Bill on that October day 16 years ago. On a 4th down play from inside the Jacksonville Jaguars five yard line, Flutie, alone in the backfield, took the snap in shotgun formation and moved to his right, along with the entire offensive line all of his receivers. As intended, all 11 Jaguar defenders also moved to that side of the field. Then, he quickly spun around, turned the other way and carried the naked bootleg into the wide open left side of the endzone to tie the game. Steve Christie's convert would give them the one point lead with only a few seconds left. A thrilling 17-16 win for Flutie and the Bills. Flutie Flakes went into production the next week and the diminutive Boston College graduate and CFL star went on to lead his team to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth.
Yesterday at Orchard Park, Purdue graduate and 10 year NFL journeyman Kyle Orton, signed just before the season began as insurance in the event that EJ Manuel could not progress enough in his second season as the Bills franchise quarterback, repeated a very similar feat. Trailing 16-10, the final drive began with just over 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter. After completing a 4th down and 20 to tight end Scott Chandler (who had uncharacteristically dropped a pass earlier in the drive), he found Chris Hogan who made an acrobatic catch at the Vikings 2 yard line. The offence rushed to the line of scrimmage and Orton spiked the ball with 5 seconds remaining on the game clock. The Vikings called a time-out and the Bills drew up a play to Sammy Watkins which both he and Orton executed perfectly to the front left corner of the endzone. Sammy got both feet down for the touchdown and Dan Carpenter sealed the win with the convert. Bills fans went home happy - just as they had exactly 16 years earlier.
My friend Greg had a long day yesterday, He awoke at 4.30am in Ottawa, boarded a 6am flight to Pearson where I picked him up and then took him to see my friend at the Lewiston US Border entry point. I was disappointed not to be able to introduce the two. Either he was recently arrested or perhaps it was his day off but his replacement was quite pleasant and we were parked in Drive 5 at the stadium just before 10am. My pals Paul and Rodger and their respective young sons found us there and the boys got some nice woolen Bills hats at the new Bills gear store at the front of the stadium as they prepared for their first live NFL game. I hope they remember it for what it was - a thrilling finish and much needed win for the home team.
On to the Meadowlands next week to face the 1-6 Jets who will have had 10 days to prepare after a strong game against the Patriots which they lost by only two points. With both Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller out, it's time for Boobie Dixon to step and establish himself before the Bills have their bye week.
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