Archives for October 2001

‘And, contrary to what many in Buffalo would try and have you believe, it’s not all Rob Johnson’s fault. The quarterback who isn’t Doug Flutie has been only so-so, but he hasn’t had much help from a young offensive line or a defense that ranks in the bottom third of the league.’

‘"It stuns you at first because you can feel it," said the 6-foot-2, 300-pound Conaty. "It’s bad pain while it’s out and it hurts a lot. Once it slides back in it’s like the biggest relief in the world, it feels great."’

‘"The Bills bring us together," said Sarama, who works in telecommunications in Bethlehem, Pa. "We have relationships that have formed across the United States, a really strong community of friends that has grown throughout the years. "That’s what keeps me going, I can watch the games without all the hassle of updating the site (with game stories and news) every day," Sarama said.’

‘Some abbreviations and symbols you’ll find on the message boards…’

"It’s a start. We can play a lot better, it was not by any stretch of the imagination a perfect game. There are many areas to improve, and we have to look at it critically, we have to try to build on it as we’re going to do this Sunday when we go to San Diego."

8. I think Buffalo’s Travis Henry always looks like one of those stubborn buffaloes on the Discovery Channel that fight off four or five cheetahs before they finally get dragged down. Last week against the Jaguars, he had 57 carries for 65 yards even though he was hit three yards behind the line by four defenders on every carry. High comedy. His career might not last until November at this rate.

A big road victory against the Jaguars will do a lot for this team.

‘"Overall, it was a great experience," said Flutie of playing in Buffalo. "The fans were very supportive and it was a fun atmosphere to play football in. The fans really cared and packed the house all the time."’

Will see plenty of familiar faces across the field Sunday.

I like Gregg Williams, their coach, and I liked the fire they showed against Jacksonville, but when you’re sitting on a small lead and backed up on your four-yard line late in the game, you simply must squeeze out a first down. You don’t call three straight runs, lose three yards, punt 28 yards and hand the Jags the tying field goal. To their credit, though, they drove the field to win it at the end. But to me, this is a case of a coach almost undoing the hard work of his players.

‘"I’ve never had a problem with people who are passionate," said Donahoe, sipping coffee while discussing Flutie’s Svengali hold on some people. "You can love Doug Flutie, but it doesn’t mean that to love Doug you have to hate the Buffalo Bills. I don’t understand that, I just don’t."’

‘Wiley admits it will be strange lining up and seeing old friends like Bills guard Ruben Brown staring back at him Sunday. "It’s going to be like one of those backyard games in the neighborhood," Wiley says. "I’m sure some trash talking will be exchanged." The former Bill just hopes this isn’t a day where he’ll have to eat his words.’

‘Butler was a valued employee of the Buffalo Bills, and if Wilson didn’t think so he wouldn’t talk so passionately about an AFC West opponent. Until this year, San Diego was nothing more than a destination for Wilson; now it’s an obsession, and unless it has something to do with his suggestions of tampering I don’t get it. He made Butler an offer, and it was refused. He fired Butler, and Butler found somewhere else to work. End of story.’

On owner Ralph Wilson’s comment that this was his Super Bowl:

"When that was made, I’ve always approached each game as if it was the most important game of the season. This week, that’s the most important game. They have no significance to me. That’s the most significant game of the season because that’s who we play this week."

This year’s AFC East race has certainly taken a strange turn through the first six weeks of the NFL season. The Dolphins are currently atop the division with a 3-2 record, while Indianapolis, sits in 4th place with just a 2-3 mark. New York and New England both have .500 marks at 3-3 to be tied for 2nd.

With that in mind, coach Williams has been reminding his players that they are still very much alive in the chase if they can put some more wins together