Archives for December 16, 2002

‘Jason Bostic, who has emerged as the Buffalo Bills’ third cornerback, tore ligaments in his right knee and will likely miss the rest of the season.’

The Ft. Lauderdale, FL-based Sports Fans of America Association, Inc. has awarded its 2002 NFL Sports Fan’s Quality Award to the Buffalo Bills as the league’s “Fan Friendliest” team.

But I'm here to say that video has killed a lot more than just the radio star.

It's killed quarterbacks.

Take Sunday, for instance. With eight minutes remaining and his Chargers tied at 13 with the Buffalo Bills, Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer pulled aside his second-year quarterback, Drew Brees, and told him to take a break.

‘On a day when Buffalo quarterback Drew Bledsoe endured one of his worst passing days as a pro, Travis Henry reaffirmed his position among the NFL’s elite running backs and the Bills’ maligned defense stepped up.’

‘”It was fun, it really was. It was fun to hear it from the crowd a little bit and to step into the situation where we’re behind and we have the opportunity to go win the ball game and make a couple of plays. We didn’t follow through on it, but it felt good.”‘

‘Fletcher was credited with a game-high 13 tackles, including nine solos. Seau topped the Chargers with 10 stops.’

‘…Buffalo’s defense deserves the credit for this one. They didn’t force any turnovers, but forced eight San Diego punts and stopped six drives without allowing a first down.’

‘The award is based on responses to questions regarding entertainment and fan activities, improvements on and off the field, fan issues involving tickets, concessions, parking and tailgating, fan loyalty issues and community relations.’

On Tuesday, December 17, from 5:00-6:30 PM, the Bills and the Tops Rookie Club rookie club will celebrate the holiday season with 80 kids from the Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo and Gateway-Longview.

Action photos from Sunday's 20-13 Bills victory.

Action photos of the Jills.

With two games to play the Bills already have four more wins than they did a year ago. That four-win increase is the second-greatest one season turnaround in team history and is one shy of the all-time best one season turnaround of +5 accomplished in 1964, ’73 and ’88.

Watch video highlights of Sunday’s game.

‘Flutie, inserted for Drew Brees (13 of 24, 148 yards) midway through the fourth quarter, gave the team a brief spark. But at this point, the team’s battery is nearly dead.’

‘"We needed this,” Gilbride said. "We’ve played some good games and not won, so for us to win a game that wasn’t one of our best, and still come out on top, I think that makes it very satisfying."’