Archives for September 4, 2003

‘The Bills will beat Miami in a playoff game in Orchard Park in January, then lose to the Chiefs.’

‘Likewise, this won’t be easy for a few of the Bills players to take either. Coy Wire busted his butt during training camp and throughout the pre season, and he’s the obvious man out, at least as a starter. He’s saying the right things because he’s a class young guy, but players are only human, and this disruption could be a short term distraction for the Bills, who have already started forming a bit of chemistry on the “D”.’

‘As part of the agreement, Choice One will remain the official telecommunications provider for the Buffalo Bills and Ralph Wilson Stadium. Additionally, the Bills and Choice One have agreed to extend the existing marketing sponsorship to promote Choice One’s association with the team, which includes in-stadium signage, naming rights to the Choice One Club, business-to-business marketing, game tickets, special events and community outreach programs. Also as part of the marketing sponsorship, Choice One is a major corporate sponsor for the Buffalo Bills Training Camp, which is held each summer in Rochester, New York.’

‘"It’s an important game for us, there’s no question, it’s a division game. It’s the first one out of the blocks. It’s a huge game, there is no other way I can put it. If we win this game that’s not going to put us in the playoffs, but it’s a big game. We are going to do everything we can to win the ball game."’

‘Outlook: An improved team, but the rest of the division is too tough.’

‘From the moment he walked out of Gillette Stadium for the last time, Lawyer Milloy was ready. You hit your friends harder.’

‘Would he provide some tactical assistance? “That always helps,” Williams said.’

‘Winning could burst Belichick’s bubble and propel the Bills to bigger things. It would do wonders for Bledsoe’s state of mind, and it would be a great relief for Williams to finally win a game against Belichick. But if the Bills lose, it could have the opposite effect. If the Pats waltz into Buffalo and win the opener, five days after cutting a Pro Bowler, it will inflate Belichick’s legend even more. And it will incite more howling about Williams’ shortcomings.’

‘”I have to tell it like it is,” Centers said by phone to Buffalo-area reporters. “There’s no doubt I want to have a good game. It’s more special than an ordinary game. But it’s important for me to not allow my desire to have a big game to overshadow the big picture. It’s more important for (the) team to perform well and come out on top.”‘

‘”We did a good job of spending money,” President and General Manager Tom Donahoe said this summer. “Now comes the hard part.”‘

‘”I thought that I could learn from him, that he was going to help me further my career as far as teaching me the things I need to do in order to get where I needed to go,” Adams said. “When you stop learning this game, it’s time for you to take your butt home. And I think he’s going to teach me some things.”‘

‘”When it’s all said and done, we’ll definitely be among the great many linebackers that have passed through the Bills’ long, storied history,” Fletcher said. “There are some extremely good corps out there in the league. You have to definitely put us up there when you think about them. It’s our versatility, not just one area of our game. We can all rush the passer, cover, run, hit and lead this defense by example.”‘

‘Shaw played in Pittsburgh when Gilbride was the offensive coordinator in 1999 and 2000. A smart player with deceptive speed, Shaw will complement outside receivers Moulds and Reed in second-and-long and third-down situations in the slot.’

‘Chances are, a game or two will come down to coaching. A crucial coaching decision could well be the difference between 10-6 and 9-7. It could determine whether the Bills make the playoffs or fall just short. It could make Williams the man of the hour, or cost him his job.’

‘The zone blitz is going to be a key piece of the Bills’ new defensive puzzle this season.’