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According to Buffalo News beat man Allen Wilson, Travis Henry knows a little something about Buffalo Bills history. He's especially interested in the fact that this is the 30th anniversary of O.J. Simpson rushing for a then-NFL record 2,003 yards.

Two thousand yards. It's a number that appeals to Henry's competitive nature.

"That's something that has been in my head throughout the offseason and preseason," Henry said this week. "The picture is pretty clear in my mind. I had 1,400 yards last year. The next step is 1,500, but why stop there? With the offensive line we have and if we have the balanced offense we're supposed to, I think anything is possible."

Simpson's offensive line, dubbed "The Electric Company," helped make 2,003 a reality. That will be a tall order for Henry, but the men blocking for him believe it can be done.

"We put a man on the moon, so why not?" Pro Bowl guard Ruben Brown said. "O.J. Simpson did it. Why not him? I think Travis is talented enough to do it. If he stays healthy, I think he can accomplish it."

If Henry doesn't reach 2,000 yards, it won't be from a lack of trying. No one can doubt how highly motivated he is. Determined to prove teams wrong for overlooking him in the first round three years ago, he went on to have a solid rookie season. Not satisfied with that, he immersed himself in the Bills' offseason conditioning program, emerging from it leaner, stronger and quicker.

The result was a Pro Bowl season in which he was the NFL's fifth-leading rusher with 1,438 yards, the fifth-highest total in franchise history. His 13 rushing touchdowns (14 TDs overall) tied for second behind Simpson's 15 in 1975.

Henry had six games in which he gained more than 125 yards and outplayed the likes of Ricky Williams, Priest Holmes and LaDainian Tomlinson in head-to-head matchups. Henry also improved as a receiver, catching 43 passes.

"I think he's one of the best backs in the league," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "He really doesn't have any weaknesses that I can see. He has good run vision, he's very strong, he has good leg strength, good body lean, so it's hard to get a good shot at him. He can make you miss in the open field, he can catch the ball, he'll pick up the blitz and block. I think he's a very good player who does a lot of things well."

While Willis McGahee's selection in the first round of April's draft is clearly a factor in Henry's renewed determination, the former University of Tennessee standout already had made an extraordinary commitment to conditioning in the offseason. In the span of about four months, he trimmed his body fat from 10.2 percent to 4.4 percent.

He's now a chiseled 5-foot-9, 215-pound physical specimen with better strength, flexibility and endurance. Henry didn't get much work in the preseason because of minor knee and foot injuries, but he's ready to go now.

"He's in phenomenal condition," head coach Gregg Williams said. "We said last year that he had the best offseason conditioning program leading into the 2002 season that we had ever seen. And then he tells us at the end of the 2002 season that he could do better and he planned on stepping it up, and he did. He had an even better offseason.

"We are proud that Travis has done everything we've asked him to do to take another step in his development as a runner, as a receiver, as a conditioned athlete, as a player studying the game. I think he's poised to have a great year."

Despite his great season, Henry had fewer than 20 carries in eight games (the Bills were 3-5 in those games). He averaged just 13 attempts in two losses to the Patriots.

Coaches hope an improved defense and more offensive balance will mean more fourth-quarter leads, which would make Henry the dominant player on offense.

That works for the offensive line, which loves blocking for Henry because of his physical, no-nonsense running style.

"I like the way Travis runs because you know where he's going to be," said center Trey Teague. "He's going to get to the hole and hit it up in there. You don't have to hold your blocks very long with him as opposed to a guy who dances around in the backfield. And even if you miss a block, he'll make you look good by fighting for extra yards."

Henry's 11 fumbles (eight lost) took some of the luster off his sterling second season. Henry has worked diligently with running backs coach Les Steckel on better ball security.

Steckel predicts that Henry won't put the ball on the ground as much, if at all, this year.

"Travis has worked extremely hard taking care of the football," Steckel said. "Knowing how to carry the ball is as much of a skill as running with the ball. I expect him to do a good job of both this year."

Wilson summed up by reminding us that expectations are extremely high for the Bills, and Henry is a big reason for it. Add the fact that McGahee is waiting in the wings, and Henry has all the incentive he needs to have a record-breaking season.

Also of interest. ...

The Bills reached an injury settlement with third-string quarterback Travis Brown. Brown was placed on injured reserve last weekend after dislocating the middle finger on his throwing hand during Buffalo's 28-24 preseason win over St. Louis last month.

The move allows the Bills the chance to re-sign Brown after the 10th week 10 of the season.

And finally. ... Tight end Dave Moore showed up on Friday's updated Injury Report, listed as probable with a sore hand.