Archives for September 30, 2003

We’re getting close to expunging from our memory any allusions made after the first two games of this campaign that relate to statements suggesting the Buffalo Bills are much improved versus the run. In the past two games, both defeats, the Bills defense has surrendered 343 rushing yards.

‘The Bills must win both games … period. A split is unacceptable and getting swept will turn up the volume on the calls for head coach Gregg Williams’ job.’

Tonight (Tuesday) at 7:30 PM in Paul McGuire Suites at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Scheduled guests include the kicking team – punter, kicker and the long snapper. Come and meet them. Jon might get to do a little magic.

‘"He had a real good workout today," Williams said after team meetings Monday. "He has worked so hard. He was really dejected that he didn’t get a chance to play. I’d hope that he would be able to get right back into practice and get started for this week. That’s our plan anyway."’

‘This season, only Washington (44), Oakland (43) and San Diego (38) have been flagged more than the Bills (37), who also have the sixth-most penalty yards with 342.’

‘What disappointed me most about the Bills loss on Sunday to the Eagles was that Philadelphia came in and played a more desperate game. Even Head Coach Gregg Williams acknowledged that his team didn’t wake up until the fourth quarter. I find that disturbing.’

‘”We have a great back coming in, and we look forward to the challenge. I look forward to it,” Spikes said of Corey Dillon, who has a strained groin and might not play. “It’s big (for me). To sum it up, knowing from where I came, knowing where I am now and where I want to go, that’s how big emotionally this game is for me.”‘

‘Players follow the leader. Williams established a cavalier tone for this season at St. John Fisher College by holding just one double session. Penalties out of aggression can be excused somewhat in a sport as violent as football. But the Bills have become mentally sloppy, and clearly they aren’t good enough to overcome their mistakes. Nine penalties on the defense the past two games have led to 27 points for the opposition. Gregg on Monday tactfully blamed the zebras for having a bad day, too. That’s not what the ticket buyers want to hear.’

‘Don’t look now, but all of a sudden the Bungles, er, the Bengals, look like a tough matchup for the slumping Bills.’

‘The Bills have lost their last two and dropped to 2-2, but Spikes does not regret his decision to leave Cincinnati. “It has been everything I hoped it would be, even though we lost the last two,” Spikes said Monday. “The reason we’re losing is what we’re doing to ourselves.”‘

‘”Corey looks to be the only guy that maybe we’ll hold out at this point,” Lewis said. “We want to give him a chance to rest this week, rest through the bye, try to get him back for Baltimore and have him come smoking after that.”‘

‘The biggest knock on Williams during his first two years was that he wasn’t a very good game day coach. His decisions left a lot to be desired, and that continues to be a prime issue.’

‘What rushing offense? There wasn’t one.’

‘RG Mike Pucillo has struggled badly the last two weeks against bruising run stuffers Tim Bowens of Miami and Corey Simon of Philadelphia. Pucillo has three holding calls the last two weeks (one was declined), and he has been one of the reasons the Bills haven’t gotten any push in the running game.’

‘”I think Marvin did him a favor,” said quarterback Jon Kitna. “He didn’t want to be here anymore. He wanted to get a new start. We lost a great caliber football player, but we like the team we have here. You don’t want guys here that just dread coming into work and dread being on the team. You don’t want that.”‘