Archives for December 2002

‘Overall: You squander a 14-3 lead. You waste a 228-yard rushing performance. You take what looked like an exhilarating division victory on the road and turn it into a bitter loss that scrambles the playoff chase. Three turnovers made the Dolphins their own worst enemy. Disappointing. Grade: D’

‘"We had a chance to separate ourselves from the pack," Wannstedt said, after his team passed for just 55 yards and allowed 306 to Drew Bledsoe. "And now we’re right back in it, fighting for our lives again."’

‘Bills receivers Peerless Price and Eric Moulds, who each eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiver mark Sunday, took advantage of the Dolphins’ well-respected secondary by exploiting the deep ball, beating cornerback Sam Madison twice and safety Arturo Freeman once on three long pass receptions that collectively taxed the Dolphins for 177 passing yards, 122 more yards than the Dolphins threw for the entire game.’

‘Moulds loves playing against the Dolphins because they are one of the few teams willing to try single coverage against him. The operative word here is "try."’

‘ The last time Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler was playing in such snowy weather, he led his Dartmouth team to a come-from-behind victory over Princeton.’

‘A thigh bruise took him out for a couple plays late in the third quarter. But it was the Bills stretching their lead that really took the ball out of Williams’ hand in the fourth quarter. He carried just once in the fourth quarter for four yards.’

‘The snow god must have a sense of humor. How else to explain that Williams gains a franchise-record 228 yards on a day he also broke the team’s rushing record for a season — and it’s relegated to a footnote?’

‘"I’ve played in cold weather for a long time now, since high school. It never has been a real factor as far as throwing the ball." — QB Drew Bledsoe.’

‘Linebacker Zach Thomas felt the conditions worked against Miami’s quick defense, as Travis Henry had 151 yards, just the third time this season a back has exceeded 100 against the Dolphins, and the second time for Henry. "They have a big offensive line, and when you’ve got a surface like that, it slows you down, and they can get up on you," Thomas said.’

‘PASSING DEFENSE: F – They went from in charge in the first half to a total breakdown in the final 30 minutes. The Bills were gifted with some luck. Cornerback Sam Madison got his hand on a long pass in the third quarter, and it tipped to Eric Moulds at the 10 for a 57-yard touchdown. But most of it was Bledsoe’s superior throwing ability in bad weather and the Dolphins becoming increasing fatigued by chasing Moulds and Peerless Price.’

‘Cold?, they seemed to be saying, this isn’t cold. This is Buffalo weather.’

‘Whatever Moulds was saying, he backed it up. He disrespected the Dolphins’ secondary with his deeds and not just his words.’

‘Instead of euphoria, the talk was of an opportunity lost.’

‘It took 24 years, but the Dolphins’ single-season scoring record that Williams held has left him at last. It now belongs to Ricky Williams, who passed Delvin Williams’ mark of 1,258 yards with an 8-yard run behind left guard Jamie Nails in the third quarter of the Dolphins’ 38-21 loss at Buffalo on Sunday.’

‘ It wasn’t as impressive as Ricky Williams’ day, but Travis Henry continued his mastery of the Dolphins’ run defense.’