Quick Kicks
Levy released
Buffalo Bills coach Marv Levy was released from the hospital Sunday after undergoing surgery earlier in the week to remove a cancerous prostate.
“It feels great to be home to finish my recovery,” Levy said in a statement released by the team.
“I feel pretty good at this point,” the 70-year-old head coach said. “I have been in contact with a couple of people in the office and they have kept me informed. I am really looking forward to watching our team play (tonight) against the Patriots.”
Levy, who says he’s never missed a practice, meeting or game in 45 years of coaching, underwent surgery on Tuesday at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. He’s expected to be out three weeks.
Levy was diagnosed with prostate cancer this summer. He wanted to wait until after the season to undergo surgery, but when doctors told him there was a risk in waiting, he decided to have it now. He informed the team after last week’s victory over Seattle and then the media on Monday.
Bears ‘85 team honored
Forty-two players from Chicago’s 1985 team that went on to capture the Super Bowl attended a Bears’ reunion Sunday. They were honored at the half of the Bears 35-32 win against Houston.
Willie Gault said the biggest disappointment is that the Bears didn’t go on to win more than one title. They were 15-1 in 1985 and the won three playoff games.
“We should have won three or four times but the team got divided,” Gault said. “We didn’t live up to our own standards the next two or three years,” said backup quarterback Steve Fuller.
Quick facts
Detroit hasn’t won in Washington since 1935.
Atlanta is off to its best start since 1986.
Green Bay is off to its best start since 1978.
Local watch
Former Idaho and Central Valley kicker Mike Hollis kicked a field goal and was 2 for 3 on extra points for Jacksonville as the Panthers beat Cleveland 23-15. Hollis’ field goal was 31 yards.
Former Washington State and Mead kicker Jason Hanson and was 3 for 3 in field-goal attempts and 3 for 3 in PAT’s for Detroit, but the Lions were beaten 36-30 in overtime at Washington.
Ex-Idaho standout quarterback John Friesz was 4 for 5 for 56 yards in mop-up duty in the Seahawks’ loss to San Diego.
Monday night matchup
Former Washington State quarterback Drew Bledsoe leads the New England Patriots into action tonight as the Patriots play host to the Buffalo Bills.
Buffalo assistant coach Elijah Pitts says nothing’s changed, yet he knows it isn’t true. Everything will be different for Buffalo Monday night and their assistant coach.
Pitts will be in charge of the Bills when they play the Patriots because head coach Marv Levy is recovering from prostate cancer surgery.
The Patriots (1-5) will be trying to end a five-game losing streak against Buffalo (5-1), which has won five straight and leads the AFC East.