Archives for August 24, 2003

‘The Bills remain relatively healthy. Left tackle Jonas Jennings sustained a concussion in the second quarter, and running back Travis Henry twisted his left foot. Both are expected to be ready to open the regular season.’

‘Bledsoe completed 22 of 29 passes for 231 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He wasn’t sacked once. Receiver Eric Moulds was brilliant, catching nine passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Josh Reed, who had not caught a pass the first two exhibitions, caught three balls for 44 yards.’

‘"When they go one on one, he’s the guy who has to win for us," Gilbride said.’

‘"We showed what we’re capable of if we don’t have mistakes," said Bledsoe, who played into the third quarter. "When we don’t make mistakes, we’re efficient. I know we can do a great job offensively."’

‘"He got kicked in the head," Williams said. "He tried to cut on a pass protection. He’s fine. He could have gotten up a lot earlier, but we went through all the precautions that you should do."’

‘After two sloppy preseason efforts by the Buffalo Bills and the regular season just on the horizon, quarterback Drew Bledsoe wasn’t kidding when he said it was time he and his teammates got their act together. Consider it mission accomplished.’

‘Jennings was motionless for several minutes, then was able to get to his feet before being taken off the field by cart. He was injured while pass blocking.’

‘The Bills could finish 9-7 and miss the playoffs but still be on the upgrade. If that happens, dumping a young head coach who is growing with his team probably would be a mistake and a big step backward.’

‘”We had good (offensive) rhythm early,” said coach Gregg Williams. “(Bledsoe) was into it and the ball was coming out of his hand very fast."’

‘Playing into the third quarter to the delight of the crowd of 62,286, Bledsoe looked mid-season sharp while directing touchdown drives on his team’s first two possessions. “We showed what we are capable of if we don’t make mistakes,” said Bledsoe, who completed 22 of 29 attempts for 231 yards. “When we don’t make mistakes, we’re efficient. I know we can do a great job offensively.”‘

‘Actually, with the Buffalo corners frequently playing 10 yards off the Rams receivers, Warner didn’t have much opportunity to look downfield. And when he tried, he frequently got hammered by the Buffalo pass rush.’

‘Fletcher was his usual active self, tackling Marshall Faulk in the backfield for a 3-yard loss early in the second quarter. Later in the quarter, Fletcher chased Faulk out of bounds after a 7-yard pass completion. As they headed back to the huddle, Fletcher and Faulk patted each other on the helmet and exchanged small talk.’

‘The Bills got the performance they was looking for from Bledsoe. Bledsoe finished 22-of-29 for 231 yards and two touchdowns, an 8-yarder to Bobby Shaw and an 18-yarder to Eric Moulds.’

‘The last Buffalo Bill in the lunchroom, Jon Dorenbos packs up his cards and coins, and makes his thick-bodied walk toward his room. He believes his NFL career is about to take flight, but whatever happens, he says his heart and mind and will be powered as they’ve long been, by the memory and spirit of his mother. He will make her proud. He will keep living the same way, "waking up every day and feeling the breeze and smelling the air and trying to put smiles on people’s faces." Dorenbos knows he will succeed, because you can’t go backward and you can’t give in, and because love has a magic all its own. "I know I will never be alone," Jon Dorenbos says.’

‘After squandering a 14-0 lead, the Bills second- and third-stringers pulled out the victory on Joe Burns’ 13-yard touchdown run with 2:03 remaining.’