Archives for December 24, 2001

‘As always, after his team has been the victim of a penalty-fest, Williams made the lame contention, "that’s not us." Excuse me, Gregg, but yes it is. In your first year as a head coach, I’m not exactly sure where you feel your team has established a reputation for not collecting penalties.But here’s the reality. The Bills came into this week fourth-worst in the league in number of penalties and fifth-worst in yards penalized.’

‘These days Vinklarek is offensive line coach for the Bills, despite being a scrub even on his tiny high school team, despite never playing in college. He made it to the NFL last year after more than 20 years of coaching at every level from middle school on up – always as an assistant, never in the spotlight. After all those years he hasn’t forgotten about his past.’

‘That’s exactly how Gregg Williams earned his first heading coach shot with the Bills nearly a year ago. His teams were good, and his leadership potential was evident. Cottrell and Williams are both hands-on coaches, otherwise known as teachers. Cottrell’s approach to players is a little warmer than Williams, who prefers a tough, harder-edged style. But both coaches demand a lot from their athletes, and both have the respect of their players. Williams got his shot; now it’s Cottrell’s turn.’

‘But once again, the Bills made such a long list of mistakes that they succeeded in losing the game every bit as much as the Falcons won it.’

‘Travis Henry’s sprained knee just got a whole lot better.’

‘Every week, the Bills find ways to lose.’

‘"You think you reach one low point in the season and then the next week you follow it up with something a little bit lower," Riemersma said.’

‘But there couldn’t have been more than 30,000 fans in attendance, and a good number of those seemed to be transplants rooting for Buffalo.’

‘Biggest passing days for a quarterback vs. Bills with date and yards..".

‘The Bills allowed 487 yards of total offense to the Falcons, committed 12 penalties for 95 yards, Van Pelt’s throwing was erratic, there were dropped passes, blown defensive assignments and coverages, lack of a pass rush, and some questionable coaching decisions.’

‘The players made their share of blunders in this game, but the coaching staff did its part, too.’

‘Hard-working relatives, friends and neighbors from Franklin, N.C., who made the two-hour trip to the Georgia Dome once they heard their native son would be starting at running back for the Buffalo Bills against the Atlanta Falcons.’

‘Coaching: Team was far from mentally sharp, committing 12 penalties, the most in 11 games. Decision to go for two points after going ahead 20-16 was the wrong one. Decision to squib kick the last kickoff also backfired. Decision to make Chris Chandler look like Dan Marino also a bad one. Add it up and it equals 2-12. F’

‘"At the coin toss, Chandler looked a little pale," said Bills defensive end Phil Hansen, whose team had just one sack. "He said, ‘Hey, man, I’m sick; take it easy on me.’ I laughed, and went back and told the whole defense to get after Chandler; he’s sick. Then, he turns around and sets a record for yards."’

‘The Bills elected to squib kick instead of kick deep after tying the score with 48 seconds left, so the Falcons started the last possession at their 43.’