Archives for December 2002

”’The intensity goes up in December,” said linebacker Roman Phifer, who played in his first playoff series last year after 13 years in the NFL. ”There are so many teams in contention in our conference it’s going to be like a playoff atmosphere. We must step up like we did a year ago.”’

‘"We’re two competitive guys, competitive on the field but friends off the field," Law said. "We’re both looking to push our teams to the next level. Every time we compete, hey, it’s war out there but afterward, all said and done, may the best man and best team win."’

‘CBS’ top play-by-play man and analyst Phil Simms will be calling their fifth Bills game of the season Sunday when they do the Bledsoe Bowl rematch with the New England Patriots for 65 percent of the country.’

‘The Patriots have won four straight games against the Bills and in those games, Moulds has averaged just four catches for 38 yards and no TDs.’

‘Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Tyrone Robertson has been suspended for a second time for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.’

‘”Canadians are nice to a fault. Very cordial, very hospitable. They say, `Pardon me?’ Instead of, `What’d you say,'” he says, curling his lip into a snarl. “Compared to Americans, who are kind of crass, they’re polite and proper. I like that. It’s nice.”‘

‘Or do the Patriots, as another example, continue playing their ”Dollar” (no down linemen) defense in an attempt to surprise the Bills because they might think Buffalo is probably thinking there’s no way New England will try to confuse their inexperienced offensive line again with linebackers and defensive backs walking and talking amongst each other near the line of scrimmage, then seemingly improvising in their pass rushes/coverages?’

”’Oh, yeah, he’s good. He’s not as big as Moulds or as physical, but he’s fast and a really smooth athlete,” Bill Belichick said of rising star Peerless Price, the Bills’ fourth-year receiver who has the numbers (72 receptions, 1,020 yards, 9 touchdowns) but perhaps not yet the reputation to join his teammate in the Pro Bowl. ”He’s a glider. He’s a tremendous athlete who makes route-running look easy, effortless. ”He’s a real polished receiver in addition to a real talented receiver.”’

‘The defensive keys to winning, according to Johnson: Stop the Bills on third down and stop their running game on every down.’

‘The top 17 quarterbacks in the AFC have combined to throw 5,728 passes. Of those, 3,619 were completed — 63 percent. Of the 2,109 that weren’t caught, only 163 fell in the arms of the opposition.’

‘The first time the Patriots faced the Bills this season and won, 38-7, they exploited backup corner Chris Watson. He was playing in place of starter Antoine Winfield . Now Winfield’s back and he’s covered everyone from Wayne Chrebet to Santana Moss to Tony Gonzalez. He’s better than Watson. He and fellow corner Nate Clements are a pretty good pair.’

‘Bruschi’s injury is considered significant because Bledsoe has completed 75 passes to his primary backs, Travis Henry and Larry Centers.’

‘As game day approaches, the Buffalo Bills are facing the unenviable task of trying to figure out what kind of offense the Patriots run. Good luck. The Patriots don’t even know themselves.’

‘”You’re not trying to transform a guy that you know that this just isn’t what he is,” Belichick said. “Mike is not really a defensive end in this league so he needs to be a linebacker.I mean, Pittsburgh saw the same thing, and that is all he can be.”‘

‘During a game, the back judge, who stands behind the secondary, is in charge of calling the delay of game penalty. The back judge looks at the clock and then looks to see if the ball has been snapped.’