Archives for December 16, 2002

‘"For him to complete that first pass is just like Doug," Brees said. "He could be sitting there just as cold as ice sitting on the bench and he can come in and throw a 50-yard post. It is pretty amazing. Once he did that, I thought we were going to roll right down the field and score and get it again and score."’

‘Buffalo effortlessly marched down the field 64 yards in just seven plays to score the winning touchdown with 52 seconds left. Running back Travis Henry looked like the East Coast version of LaDainian Tomlinson, rushing for 53 yards on five carries during the drive.’

‘RT Vaughn Parker, a Buffalo native, returned after missing four games with a triceps injury. But the line, for the second straight week, didn’t play well. That, among other things, was why Schottenheimer went to the more mobile Doug Flutie at QB in the fourth quarter.’

‘DEFENSIVE LINE — D – Those were some big holes Travis Henry was rumbling through. At the point of attack, the Chargers weren’t attacking.’

‘Henry scored both Buffalo touchdowns as he gained 144 yards in 22 carries, to outperform San Diego star LaDainian Tomlinson who ran 28 times for 110 yards.’

‘The Bills’ head coach entered Sunday’s game amid increasing speculation that his job was on the line in the wake of losses in four of the last five games. A couple of team sources stressed "it would be very good" for Williams’ job security if he won two of the final three games. Those sources also said a win over the rival Chargers would be especially beneficial for Williams.’

‘"Sometimes," Bledsoe said, "you gotta win ugly."’

‘The Chargers don’t have a QB controversy, and Schottenheimer made that clear in his opening remarks to the media.’

‘But on a day when quarterback Drew Bledsoe looked more like Rob Johnson (with Doug Flutie playing for the other side, no less), the Bills’ defense delivered its most clutch performance of the season.’

‘If wins and losses are paramount, then the argument to retain Williams is fortified with substance.’

‘Henry gained 144 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns, locking into the seventh spot for most yards rushing in a season. He could surpass Thurman Thomas’ three best seasons if he gains 176 yards rushing in the final two weeks.’

‘Unsung Hero: Bills linebacker London Fletcher finished with 13 tackles and a sack and always seemed to hover around the ball carrier.’

‘”We wasted an opportunity here because we didn’t make enough plays,” coach Marty Schottenheimer said.’

‘”We passed the ball a few times when he thought we should have run it,” Henry said. “But we got everything squared away.”‘

‘The primary reason Brees was pulled is that the offense hasn’t done much scoring the past two months. The unit has only 10 touchdowns in the last seven games, and three came in one quarter against Denver. Brees has now gone four games without a touchdown pass, doubling the second-longest streak in the league this season by a quarterback who has started four consecutive games.’