Archives for December 2002

‘[Q:] How will you spend New Year’s Eve? [A:] “We’ll be driving back to Colorado. Unfortunately, the season has ended a bit early for us.”‘

‘The Bills are reportedly interested in Spikes as a free agent. So is New Orleans.’

‘Although the Bills were eliminated from playoff contention in last week’s 10-0 loss at Green Bay, they desperately want to win today.’

’52 – Sacks allowed by Buffalo. 23 – Sacks by Bengals defense.’

‘Bills 27, Bengals 24.’

‘The Bills rank fourth in the league in pass defense, allowing just 188.9 yards a game, and Clements leads the way with five interceptions.’

”’I can’t compare it to Cincinnati, but it definitely starts at the top. And in Cincinnati, their top guys have been the same guys for a while,” Bills defensive end Chidi Ahanotu said. ”Here, you’ve got some good people in (Bills president) Tom Donahoe, who’ve been around a lot of winning organizations. The same with (coach) Gregg Williams. They’re consistent in what they do and what they preach, and that is the foundation that you lay to start a winning franchise.”’

Where is it written that an offensive lineman who is drafted in the second round can not be shifted to the defensive line during his first training camp? Certainly not in Lou Saban’s book.

Though this is the first time they've played against each other in the NFL, they are no strangers on the football field. Growing up they played together in both high school (Columbus, TX) and on the same team at Texas Christian in college.

The elder Schobel claims there is no additional pressure in literally going up against his sibling.

Entering the season finale Sunday against Cincinnati, linebacker London Fletcher is just 9 tackles shy of the team's single-season tackle record of 206 set by Chris Spielman in 1996. Fletcher has recorded 12-or-more tackles in a game 11 times this season and has had 14+ in five straight.

‘"It’s absolutely in the Bills’ court," Riemersma said this week as he prepared for the season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. "I’ve stated all along that I wanted to be here for my entire career. They’ve given me no indication that I won’t, either. But obviously you know what happened last offseason. So that’s a valid question."’

‘The two both said they probably won’t talk during the game. It’ll be all business. After the season is over, however, they’ll spend plenty of time together watching film and trying to get a little better. They’ve talked on the phone plenty this season, critiquing each other. Big brother has had plenty of advice for little brother, but not this week.’

‘Game keys for Bills…Score early and often. If the Bengals fall behind by a large margin, their interest level and focus will drop severely.’

‘Aaron is Buffalo’s right defensive end, meaning he lines up to Kitna’s left. As a tight end, Matt normally lines up on the right side of the offensive formation because most teams are right-handed. However, there will be situations when Matt will come in motion to the other side, and he will probably find himself swapping helmet paint with Aaron.’

‘They attended Columbus (Texas) High School together – Matt was a quarterback and Aaron was a defensive end and receiver – and played at Texas Christian University together. But that was then and this is, well, war. Sort of.’