ATLANTA — Wide receiver Terrell Owens achieved a career milestone, but had little else

to feel good about in the Bills' 31-3 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Owens' four catches on Sunday put him over 1,000 for his career. He is the sixth player to

reach that plateau.

Owens is the third quickest player to 1,000 catches (1,002 in 204 games), behind Marvin

Harrison (167 games) and Jerry Rice (181). The other players with 1,000 catches are Cris

Carter (210 games), Isaac Bruce (212) and Tim Brown (220).

"All the records that I'm starting to accumulate are just part of what I've been doing

throughout my career," Owens said. "I'm just blessed to play this game. I've been playing it

at a productive level and things happen. I'm honored to be on the list, but as far as where I

am, it doesn't bother me. I don't care about that. I'd rather have had a win today, more so

than anything.

"By no means am I downplaying the record. But I'm very appreciative of what God has given

me, and that's the talent to go out and play the game every week. I try to go out and play

hard. The numbers and things I do on the field are just a result of hard work and a lot of

guys have helped me along the way to get there."

The career achievement was the only good thing to come out of the game for Owens, who drew

the attention of the CBS Sports camera when he was cutting his nails on the sideline.

The game announcers were amused at the sight of Owens giving himself a manicure during the

game, but he wondered what all the fuss was about when asked about it afterwards.

"What about it? What's new?" he said. "They're going to make a big deal out of that, let

'em make a big deal out of it. It's nothing new. My nails were too long, what about it? You

guys want to nitpick at everything I do? Find something else to talk about. It's pointless.

"Sometimes you get hangnails or the ball bends your fingernail back so that's why I felt

like I needed to cut them. It's part of football. Anybody want to nitpick about it, go ahead.

What's new?"

There was nothing new about the Bills' continued putrid offensive performance or Owens'

inability to make an impact because the quarterback couldn't get him the ball. He finished

with four catches for 39 yards, but the offense was destined to struggle Sunday with

quarterback Brian Brohm making his first NFL start.

Owens' chance for a big play was missed in the second quarter when Brohm's underthrown deep

pass was intercepted by Falcons cornerback Chris Owens. It appeared that Owens could have made

more of an effort to break up the pass, but he insisted that wasn't the case.

"I think my coach [Tyke Tolbert], he harps on that about me adjusting to the ball, coming

back and maybe preventing the interception," Owens said. "But it's hard, guys, when you're

running full speed. As far as myself, I know I'm running as fast as I can, so it's kind of

hard to adjust like that when you're expecting the ball to be out in front or what have you.

When the ball's kind of underthrown and you're running full speed, if you don't locate the

ball initially then it's kind of hard to just stop on a dime to adjust to a ball."

. . .

There was a James Hardy sighting on the field Sunday. The second-year receiver finally got a chance to play. He got several snaps in the Bills' three-receiver package, replacing injured veteran Josh Reed.

Hardy has been waiting for the opportunity since recovering from a major knee injury that

occurred late last season. This was his seventh week on the active roster. He opened the

season on the physically unable to perform list.

"It was exciting coming into the game," said Hardy, who caught a nine-yard pass in the

final minutes. "It's been hard at times. Really, my whole life I'm used to being that guy. You

just have to learn how to be patient.

"Coming off that injury really made me appreciate the game a lot more and appreciate the

situation I'm in a lot more. I just put the rest of it in God's hands. He blessed me to get

back out on that field. I'm just thankful that I'm able to play again, to tell you the truth."

. . .

The Bills lost yet another offensive lineman Sunday as starting left tackle Jonathan Scott injured his right ankle in the first quarter.

Scott is one of three players to start at left tackle this season. Demetrius Bell and

rookie left guard Andy Levitre were the others. Rookie Andre Ramsey might become left tackle

No. 4 if Scott's injury prevents him from playing in the season finale Sunday.

A late-season free agent pickup, Ramsey played the rest of the game after Scott went out

and didn't appear to be overwhelmed. He got in as an extra tight end at the goal line last

week and was called for a false start.

"With our injury situation you have to become numb to the fact that a guy goes out and the

next guy has to step up and play," said Bills interim head coach Perry Fewell. "Andre Ramsey

has been working at tackle. He knew the assignments. I'd like to look at the tape to evaluate

his performance, but I thought he fought out there."

. . .

Receiver Lee Evans moved into third place on the Bills' career receiving yardage list. His 5,301 yards moved him ahead of Elbert Dubenion (5,294). ... Brohm was the 35th quarterback to start a game for the Bills since their inception in 1960.

. . .

Reed (ankle), quarterbacks Trent Edwards (ankle) and Ryan Fitzpatrick (ankle), linebacker Bryan Scott (concussion), offensive tackle Jamon Meredith

(ankle) and safety Todd Johnson (hamstring) were inactive with injuries. Defensive end Chris

Ellis was a healthy scratch.