Archives for September 25, 2001

With Pro Bowl strong safety Robert Griffith sidelined 6-8 weeks with a fractured ankle, the Vikings on Tuesday signed veteran Henry Jones.

The Vikings released first-year TE Matt Cercone to make room on the roster for Jones.

The teams in AFC Central has been playing musical chairs. The Bengals, the supposed dogs of the AFC, are 2-0 and the Titans, who were supposed to challenge for AFC crown, are 0-2. The Steelers have had two weeks off due to terrorist attack and the bye week and are anxious to get a touchdown.

‘Gregg Williams strikes me as someone who could have a long and successful NFL career … OR end up a colossal failure. His problem is a self-confidence that’s almost arrogant.’

‘Jones reportedly worked out for Detroit shortly after being released, but had been waiting for a better opportunity.’

‘The first player to get a chance apparently will be Henry Jones, formerly with the Buffalo Bills. His agent, Jim Steiner, said Jones flew Monday to the Twin Cities and was scheduled for a physical today. Steiner expects that Jones will pass and could be signed. In August, Buffalo cut Jones, a Pro Bowl player in 1992, after the Bills’ new coaching staff wanted Jones, 33, to play a hybrid linebacker position. New Orleans and Detroit also have shown interest in Jones.’

"Here’s a little unsolicited advice Gregg Williams might want to pass on to his defense: Sometimes, when it looks like an offense is going to run the ball, they really plan to throw it."

"I played awful," said free safety Keion Carpenter, who left several of the gaps in the secondary by biting on run fakes."

‘Starting tackles Jonas Jennings and John Fina were among the walking wounded following the Bills’ disastrous 42-26 loss at Indianapolis on Sunday. Jennings has a pulled hip flexor muscle that caused him to miss the second half. Fina played the entire game after suffering a bruised quadriceps but was struggling to walk after. He was still laboring as he left the locker room Monday.’

‘"For me, it’s extremely disappointing," Centers said an hour after Sunday’s 42-26 thrashing at the hands of the Colts. "I don’t know if I can find the words to describe just how disappointing these first two games have been for me, after having such high expectations coming into this season. To start off in such a bad way is . . . it’s terrible."’

‘Williams said the breakdowns had nothing to do with the team’s high-risk aggressive defensive scheme. It was players not sticking to their assignments. "I really believe that the reason those plays were given up or a large percentage of it was people trying to do too much," he said. "I think second effort is wanted and encouraged after you take care of what you’re supposed to do first. What I saw on those plays is that somebody was trying to do somebody else’s job and not doing their own job."’

In the early going it looked as if it would be a day of big plays for the Bills. On the fourth play from scrimmage, rookie, Nate Clements took a Peyton Manning pass 48 yards the other way for a touchdown to score the first points of the game, and the Bills first touchdown of the season.

While there is some talent on the Bills roster most of it is too green, and there isn’t enough of the experienced talent to make a difference. All in all an equation that for a while will add up to losses more than wins.

‘Williams’ master plan may work out in time, but it’s painfully evident after two games that he doesn’t have the personnel to play his "46" scheme or other blitz-oriented packages.’

‘"It started swelling up my chest a little bit and I couldn’t raise my arm," said Moulds, who left the RCA Dome with his arm in a sling. "I was planning on going back in in the second half, but they said forget about it. It’s going to take time to get the movement back but hopefully I’ll be all right (fairly soon). I’ve only missed two games since I’ve been playing and it’s frustrating to sit, so I hope I’m not out."’

‘Coach Gregg Williams said Monday the initial prognosis on Moulds is that he’s questionable to play this Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh. Moulds spent most of the postpractice period in the training room and was not made available to the media. More seriously hurt is rookie Brandon Spoon, who will miss at least a week with a dislocated left elbow, further devastating the Bills’ linebacking corps.’

Manning prepared hard for this game. The extra motivation? He remembered what Bills coach Williams did as the DC of the Titans in 1999 when Tennessee eliminated the Colts from the playoffs. In fact, Manning spent a lot of time studying that two-year-old film, and many of his decisions Sunday were based on his studies.