Archives for September 2000

‘The Packers defense did give up 27 points, but that wasn’t bad considering it was asked to make up for the mistakes of the special teams and the offense. The average starting point of the Bills’ five scoring drives was just past the Green Bay 40-yard line. And even though the Bills didn’t take full advantage of their opportunities, the Packers offense didn’t force the issue.’

‘The Packers held the Bills scoreless until late in the first half. But their offense only gained nine yards on a drive that started at its three-yard line, and even a good punt by Josh Bidwell gave Buffalo good field position at its 46. The Bills drove the 54 yards in six plays, scoring with 44 seconds left in the half to take a 7-0 lead. The defense gave up three more points before the half was over, without giving up a yard. Quarterback Brett Favre was hit from behind by Marcellus Wiley and fumbled, and the ball was picked up by Bills defensive end Phil Hansen, who returned it to the Packers 27-yard line. The Bills took one shot at the end zone and had a deep pass fall incomplete before Steve Christie kicked a field goal as the half ended.’

‘Worst sight: Buffalo tackle Jamie Nails taunting the Packers’ Vonnie Holliday when the defensive end appeared to be hurt. On the following play, fans cheered when Packers defensive back Antuan Edwards was hurt.’

‘Q: Did I really see Tyrone Williams celebrating and playing to the Buffalo crowd after knocking away a pass to Eric Moulds in the fourth quarter, with the Packers hopelessly behind by 17 points? A: Unfortunately, yes.’

‘The Bills celebrated Alumni Weekend by honoring the 1965 AFL Champion-ship team before kickoff. Among those on hand were Hall-of-Famer Billy Shaw, Jack Kemp, Elbert Dubenion, ErnStratton and coach Lou Saban. Incidentally, next Sunday’s home game against ie Warlick, Booker Edgerson, Ron McDole, Al Bemiller, Wray Carlton, Mike Philadelphia has been designated Green Bay’s homecoming, featuring many former players. … Buffalo tight end Jay Riemersma extended his receiving streak to 15 games and recorded his second multi-touchdown game of his career. … Buffalo is off to a 2-0 start for the 12th time in team history, and first time since 1996. The last time Green Bay started a season 0-2 was 1992. The club finished 9-7, but missed the playoffs. … Green Bay has lost three straight road games, its longest streak since 1995.’

‘Bills fans spent the off-season moaning over the controversial lateral in the playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans and eulogizing the Buffalo careers of popular veterans Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed. The easiest way to forget the past is embrace the present, and Bills fans are doing just that. They’ve spent the past two weeks rejoicing the revenge of the Home Run Throwback with a win over the Titans and cheering on a bright crop of new young stars.’

‘Two areas where Buffalo needs to improve are the offensive line and the running game, which are also tied together. Johnson was sacked five times – though two were off blitzes that weren’t the line’s fault – and was hit on virtually every throw. And, on the ground, the Bills totaled a mere 89 yards (2.6 per carry) with feature back Antowain Smith held to an anemic 17 yards on a dozen attempts. "I was a little disappointed that we didn’t run the ball better," admitted Buffalo head coach Wade Phillips, "especially late in the game when we could have run out the clock." But while the line has to answer for the failings of the ground attack, the pressure on Johnson involves everyone. "I think it’s on all of us," said Riemersma. "You can point somewhat to the offensive line but by no means is it all their responsibility. "We have to take responsibility as an offensive unit – to get our hot reads, to get our blitz pickups – and make it one of our goals that Rob doesn’t get hit like that."’

‘Among there were quarterback Jack Kemp, wide receiver Elbert Dubenion, guard Billy Shaw, center Al Beimiller, defensive end Ron McDole, defensive backs Butch Byrd, Booker Edgerson and Hagood Clarke, tight end Ernie Warlick, running backs Wray Carlton and Ed Rutkowski and linebacker Mike Stratton.’

‘When asked if the Bills’ defense was better than he thought they would be, Favre slowly shook his head. "Yep," he said. "They’re big and fast. I couldn’t tell who’s who. I know they’re good, and I know their names. And I’m pooped out right now."’

‘Buffalo Bills quarterback Rob Johnson again took a pounding but threw three touchdown passes. The Buffalo defense was outstanding once more, and special teams finally made a big play. Those are just three reasons the Buffalo Bills are 2-0 today after Sunday’s 27-18 triumph over the Green Bay Packers before a sellout crowd of 72,722 in a hot (81 degrees) and steamy Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘It was far from a perfect performance for Johnson or the Bills. But a sellout crowd of 72,722 at The Ralph hardly could have asked for any more from their quarterback or their young team after two weeks of the NFL season. The Bills are 2-0. In their first game, they beat the odds-on favorite to win the AFC. In their second, Johnson outplayed the Packers’ three-time NFL Most Valuable Player. And in both games, the Bills’ defense – the unit that lost four starters from last year and was supposed to take a step backward – has looked even better than last season, when it led the league.’

‘Cowart is a major reason the Bills may have the premier defense in the NFL again. Yet you have to wonder if the rest of the country fully realizes how good he is. It’s hard to argue with Cottrell’s assertion that Cowart should have made the Pro Bowl last year after leading the Bills with 186 tackles. Cowart, one of the most humble players around, said it would be nice to earn a trip to Hawaii, "if people think I’m worthy." "But the decision is out of my hands," he said. "It’s up to the people who vote." It’s a pretty good bet that he has the Packers’ vote.’

‘"(If) you win a ball game like this, it kinda makes the aches and pains feel a little bit better. But when you lose, it feels like they’re twice as bad," Favre said, peering out from a blue baseball cap. "As frustrating as it is to lose a football game, any football game, I felt like I did everything I could do and left it out on the field. Sometimes it’s, I guess, not enough. I’m just hoping I don’t fall off this podium."’

‘On a day when he again was a second-degree assault victim, when his running game went south once more, and when Brett Favre accomplished something that eluded illustrious Packer quarterbacks from Arnie Herber to Bart Starr, Rob Johnson was the difference in the game as the Buffalo Bills got off to a 2-0 start. Johnson’s performance won’t be enshrined at the Buffalo Historical Society, but it was more than good enough to gouge a Green Bay defense handicapped by injuries and collaborate with the defensive unit for a victory that was close to being easy.’

‘John Fina, the son of a physician, earned numerous academic awards when he played football at Arizona. He majored in psychology and could talk for hours about the human mind. But sometimes, it all comes down to mathematics. "You know, when they have eight or nine guys on the line of scrimmage, you can only block six or seven of them," Fina said late Sunday afternoon. "That’s how the math works." Simple arithmetic also says the Bills beat the Packers, 27-18. It says they’re the only 2-0 team in the AFC East. Rob Johnson put some impressive numerals on the stat sheet, completing 18 of 26 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns. Still, Fina has a point. Despite putting 27 points on the board, the Bills had a serious math problem. For the second week in a row, they were outnumbered by the opposition blitzes. Football is essentially a game of blocking and tackling. Buffalo is doing just fine in the tackling department. It’s the blocking that leaves a lot to be desired.’