Archives for December 2001

‘"That’s not our will to do that but unfortunately that’s the way things have been working out," Martin said. "If that’s what we’re going to do then we just have to work on finishing it off at the end, if that’s the team we’re going to be we just have to finish better."’

‘"I’ve played enough years to know it was a screen, especially when Vinny dropped back a second time."’

‘"We were competitive in six of the last seven weeks in close ballgames," said Bills’ coach Gregg Williams. "Today we made enough plays in this ballgame to win a close one … and that’s something this team needed."’

‘Sunday marked the first time this season – in seven such games – that the Jets lost when Martin rushed for 100 yards.’

‘Phil Hansen recorded his first interception since the 1992 AFC Championship game in Miami at a key time, killing a Jet drive to take the lead late in the fourth. Nate Clements also recorded his third interception of the season in the first half, which puts the rookie in the team lead in that category.’

‘Shawn Bryson also followed up last week’s 130-yard performance in Atlanta with his second consecutive 100-yard performance, rushing for 107 yards on 28 carries. With his second solid performance in place of the injured Travis Henry, Bryson becomes the first Bills back since Thurman Thomas in 1995 to rush for back-to-back 100-yard games.’

‘Unless you had some wonderful personal event– maybe a marriage, or a birth– it would be difficult to call 2001 a good year. But it was a year of change and action, both around the globe and around One Bills Drive. CNN will take care of filling you in on those world wide changes, so let’s take a few moments here to talk Buffalo Bills.’

‘"Ever since I’ve been here we’ve never given up," quarterback Alex Van Pelt said. "That’s a trademark of Buffalo."’

‘He is the first Bills running back to rush for 100 yards in back-to-back games since Thurman Thomas did it in 1996.’

‘The Jets’ safeties paid a lot of attention to Bills receivers Eric Moulds and Peerless Price, which opened up the middle of the field.’

‘Unsung Hero: Tight end Jay Riemersma, who dropped two passes and committed two penalties last week, redeemed himself in a big way with a career-high eight receptions for 78 yards. He burned the Jets by getting open down the seam for several key gains.’

‘"I don’t think we treated this game different than any other game. But when we came out, we just hit the quicksand."’

‘"I don’t care about spoiling," quarterback Alex Van Pelt said. "I just want to end the season on a good note. They had to win today and we came in and stole it from them."’

‘Every year, there’s a perfectly plausible excuse for his failures and usually in his mind, it starts with someone else.’

‘If they beat the Raiders in six days while New England (at Carolina) and Miami (home for the Bills) lose, they can still sneak through as the AFC’s No. 2 seed. And they can still miss the postseason completely, if they lose at Oakland and the Seahawks win at home against Kansas City.’