Archives for October 16, 2000

‘And while the Chargers hand it to the Bills (3-3) for their fortitude, they also admit this one didn’t need to slip away. Not on a day in which Curtis Conway and Jeff Graham each had 100 yards receiving and a touchdown. A day in which the Chargers collected 303 total yards against the NFL’s No. 2 defense – first to do so in eight straight contests. A day in which the Chargers were ahead, 24-14, with about 14 minutes to play. "Definitely, we were in the driver’s seat," said Rodney Harrison, who tied Seau with a game-high 12 tackles, and added a sack and interception. "We had the momentum, we felt everything was going positive, we had a 10-point lead. It just seemed like things started to fall apart. It’s always something – one thing here, one thing there. It seems like that way all the time."’

‘It was a third-quarter play designed for the right side. Instead, it went terribly wrong for the Chargers. Faced with a third-and-1 on the Bills 33, the Chargers were primed to put a stake in Buffalo’s wings. Ahead 24-14, moving the chains here would seemingly pad a cushion the inconsistent Bills might have a tough time overcoming. But Jermaine Fazande got tossed for a 2-yard loss, coach Mike Riley elected to punt, and before someone could say "Doug Flutie," Buffalo shuffled off with a victory.’

‘It was an obvious question, after Mike Riley elected to punt on Buffalo’s 35- and 36-yard lines in Sunday’s 27-24 overtime loss to the Bills. Hey John Carney, you’re reliable right leg OK? "Yeah," he said. So despite Carney owning the team record with two career-best 54-yard field goals, the Chargers’ coach elected to punt on both occasions inside the Buffalo 37. On one, Darren Bennett pinned the Bills in at their 1 – they still scored. On the other – with 2:35 to play; he kicked it into the end zone – they still scored, to tie the game and send it into overtime. On Saturday, the winds were swirling so bad at Ralph Wilson Stadium one wouldn’t consider field goals of 52 and 53 yards. Sunday? "We were very, very fortunate wind-wise," said Carney, the second-most accurate kicker in NFL history. "I had a 53-yarder in pregame." But Riley – afraid of a miss and losing the field-position battle – didn’t give Carney a chance. "I was ready to go," Carney said. "But at the same time I understand percentages of long-range field goals. Coach Riley said ‘punt’ right away; he didn’t want to give up field position in case something happened." Said Riley: "We did put them down to the 1-yard line, which I thought was great. The second time, we didn’t."’

‘"This was a big win," [Steve Christie said], "and we needed it." But will there be enough for a playoff berth?’

‘The Bills’ second touchdown was bizarre as running back Jonathan Linton fumbled into the end zone when hit by former Buffalo safety Mike Dumas with center Jerry Ostroski recovering. "That’s the first touchdown I’ve scored since I was in sixth grade and caught a long bomb in the backyard," Ostroski said. "All my life I was doomed to be an offensive lineman and not touch the football unless I hiked it. So, scoring today, was pretty cool."’

‘When the announcement was made that the San Diego locker room was open after the Chargers 27-24 overtime loss, only two reporters bothered to go in.’

‘In breaking his seasonlong routine, Chargers coach Mike Riley didn’t wait until the morning after the game to admit he had made a mistake. Instead, he stepped up to a wall of microphones after yesterday’s 27-24 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills and acknowledged his decision to send in backup Moses Moreno to start the second quarter was wrong.’

‘[Chargers’ coach Mike Riley’s] first mistake was announcing during the week that Jim Harbaugh would start the game, play the first quarter and then give way to Moses Moreno for the second 15 minutes. This isn’t Colgate-Canisius. His second mistake was sticking to his decision. Pulling Harbaugh was an error. It was a mistake before Moreno came in and stunk up Ralph Wilson Stadium to such an extent I’m surprised the fans didn’t run for Syracuse.’

‘It was like old times for wide receivers Curtis Conway and Jeff Graham yesterday against the Buffalo Bills. As they did five years ago as teammate with the Chicago Bears, the two ran circles around the opposing secondary. They caught passes: 16 combined. They gained yards: 256 combined. They scored touchdowns: one each. They lost.’

‘"I was called because I was the last one on the line," said Ostroski, who was reluctant to take credit for saving the Bills. "It should have been called on them because they jacked with our center."’

‘The Bills appeared to have scored on their second possession when they lined up for a field goal only to have holder Chris Mohr stand up and pass 37 yards to an uncovered Eric Moulds for what should have been a touchdown. But the officials ruled the ball was "not whistled ready for play" and nullified the play. Buffalo wound up punting.’

‘Lazio began the day at the Buffalo Bills game in Ralph Wilson Stadium. Accompanied by his wife and two young daughters, he greeted fans in the parking lot amid tailgate parties complete with barbecues and beer. An airplane flew overhead with a banner reading "Lazio for Senate, www.lazio.com," while campaign aides handed out toy footballs bearing the message "Go Buffalo! Lazio for Senate." "I grew up a Giants fan," Lazio said, "but that doesn’t mean I’m against the Bills. Today, I’m really hoping the Bills win and shut out the Chargers." His wish came true, in part: The Bills beat the San Diego Chargers, 27-24.’

‘The Bills ended a three-game losing streak and leveled their record at 3-3 with a 27-24 overtime win over the winless San Diego Chargers before a sellout crowd in Ralph Wilson Stadium. The victory came despite an injury to Rob Johnson, who separated his shoulder in overtime. Johnson is expected to miss two to four weeks.’

‘Everything that looked easy was made hard by the Bills on this day. The winless San Diego Chargers made so many mistakes that Bills fans could have been lighting victory cigars by halftime. But the Bills sunk to the Chargers’ level – and actually went below it for the first three quarters. It wasn’t until 8:26 of overtime was played that the crowd of 72,351 at Ralph Wilson Stadium was able to breathe a final sigh of relief.’

‘"He’s really come through, especially in the clutch," Bills coach Wade Phillips said of Moulds who, with 560 yards this year, is on pace for his second 1,000-yard season in two years. "We look for him a lot, but he’s our big gun. He’s our big guy. He’s always there to make plays. I’m constantly amazed by him."’