Archives for October 2003

‘But teams are getting better and better at avoiding kicking to Hall, who had returned kicks for touchdowns in an NFL-record four straight games before being shut out the last two weeks. Buffalo has promised to give Hall the same treatment. “Boy, that makes me mad,” Hall said. “It’s like if you’re trying to play video games, and you’re so good that no one will play you. Then you don’t get to play, so it’s not fun anymore. It’s the same thing. I want to play.”‘

‘”The most dangerous thing they do with Priest is they give him a lot of different things to do,” defensive tackle Sam Adams said. “If he runs up the middle and you stack the middle, then he runs to the perimeter, then they give him a draw, then they give him a screen. They change the personnel and do a lot of shifts and motions to try to disguise their basic plays. They get him the ball a lot of different ways.”‘

‘Williams’ Buffalo Bills stand 4-3 because, unlike the more-fortunate Chiefs, fate keeps insisting they pay for their mistakes.’

‘Moorman currently ranks third in the league, averaging 47.6 yards, and sixth when factoring in return yards. Impressive for a guy with a slim 6-foot, 175-pound frame.’

‘Moulds did well, but Williams says he’ll still need to work out Sunday to see if he can play. He’s missed two weeks with a slightly torn groin. Sammy Morris is in the same boat according to the head coach.’

‘Q: Do you think those comments about shutting down (RB) Priest Holmes will motivate this team? GREEN: “I hope it doesn’t take something like that to motivate this team. The bulletin board material. I would like to think that guys are prepared whether someone says something or not. If that helps motivate their team, that’s great. We know we are at home and we haven’t been at home in over three weeks. We have had two great road victories. We are anticipating the crown being fired up and on national television, making it as difficult as possible for Buffalo. That’s what this team is focused on.”‘

‘The reason Holliday will be licking his chops on Sunday is that the last time he faced the Western New York foes (12/22/02) he racked up a career-high and Packer record 5.0 sacks while playing in the Green and Gold.’

‘”He’s the main reason I’m in the NFL right now,” said Bills linebacker London Fletcher, who signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent from John Carroll University in 1998. “He’s the rare coach who really gave free agents, undrafted free agents, long shots, a true opportunity to make the football team and not look at them as just a (training) camp body. He really had a lot of confidence in my abilities. He put himself on the line and took a chance, and it worked out well for both of us.”‘

‘The Bills conducted a rare Friday night practice in the team’s field house. Williams changed the schedule to get his team prepared for Sunday night’s game. Williams said that it was the best practice of the week. “It was very crisp,” he said.’

‘Approximately 125 boys and girls who have qualified for the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick sectional competition will showcase their skills today from 1:15 to 4 p.m. in the Ralph Wilson Fieldhouse.’

‘”It is significantly better than last year and last year was a great year,” said Jay Mininger, vice president of marketing at Dick’s. “Winning makes a huge difference and the influx of new players has helped.” Lawyer Milloy, Sam Adams and Takeo Spikes are some of the new faces boosting sales. And even though Willis McGahee hasn’t played yet, people are snatching up his jersey.’

‘Fletcher believes Vermeil has a soft spot in his heart for long shots because he was one himself. “I think his own coaching background, the way he came up through the ranks of high school, junior college and college, influenced him,” Fletcher says. “He had to work hard at it. He wasn’t given anything. So he appreciates the guys who have had to battle to get to the position they are in.”‘

‘”We’re 7-0, are you kidding me?” Gonzalez said. “I understand that this window of opportunity is so small. To win in the NFL. We have a chance to do some damage coming up here if we can get in the playoffs. Hopefully we can get to the Super Bowl. I’m having a great time.”‘

‘R-Kal Truluck, the right defensive end in passing situations before he sprained an ankle three weeks ago, took his normal turn in practice and appeared ready for Sunday’s game against Buffalo at Arrowhead Stadium.’

‘After missing the last two Buffalo games with a groin injury, Bills standout receiver Eric Moulds — who has averaged 15 yards on each of his 30 catches in only five games — could be closing to returning to action against the Chiefs. Bills coach Gregg Williams said Friday that Moulds had taken a decent number of practice repetitions this week and appeared close to playing Sunday night. Williams said Moulds might have been able to play in last week’s Buffalo upset of Washington, but was held out as a precautionary measure.’