Archives for September 2001

‘"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.

‘And we thought the offense was the problem.’

Down 35-17 at halftime, the Bills, who weren’t completely out of it, never could get entirely back in, either. They went most of the second half without putting up a touchdown, finally hitting on a 40-yard pass from Rob Johnson to Peerless Price on a desperation, fourth-down play with 1:25 left.

‘"In the second half we were able to really push the pocket and make Johnson work harder," said defensive tackle Josh Williams, who had two sacks. "He’s so elusive and we did a good job of getting to him in the second half. It was the key to our win."’

‘On what was an All-America day at National Football League stadiums around the country, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning put on his best All-American performance Sunday in the RCA Dome.’

‘From that point on, the already sketchy officiating went down hill. Example – the final Bill’s TD, a result of a hail Mary pass by Johnson to the left corner of the endzone, was pulled in only after three players from each of the two teams committed every possible interference foul possible before anyone touched the ball.’

‘The comparisons to the St. Louis Rams and Minnesota Vikings of 1999 are already flying about like Manning-thrown footballs through the air. And they’re just as on target.’

‘Manning conducted a clinic titled "How to Attack a Blitzing Defense" in the Colts’ 42-26 victory over the Buffalo Bills at the RCA Dome. The Colts’ QB did more skewering, slicing and dicing in three hours than Emeril Lagasse does in a week. In one dizzying nine-minute span of the first half, Manning produced three touchdowns on six offensive plays. In dropping to 0-2, the Bills were filleted for 555 yards, the third-most yards allowed in team history. Manning hit 23 of 29 passes for 421 yards.’

‘Wide receiver Eric Moulds suffered a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder in the first half of a 42-26 loss and did not return. "I took a little shot on it and it started swelling my chest up a little bit," said Moulds, who had a sling on to stabilize his heavily wrapped shoulder. "I couldn’t raise my arm up. I was going to play back on it in the second half, but I couldn’t raise my arm."’