Archives for November 2003

Buffalo Bills backup DT Ron Edwards will miss the rest of the season after having surgery Wednesday to repair a torn rotator cuff.

‘”It’s tough,” said Moulds, the Buffalo Bills’ veteran wide receiver. “Everything I do as a receiver is predicated on exploding. If you can’t explode, then you’re basically in a situation where you’re depending on your instincts from playing the last eight years to get you through it.”‘

‘After nine games, Stanley is leading the NFL with 22 punts dropped inside the opponents’ 20-yard line, a pace that would break the league record of 39 set by Baltimore’s Kyle Richardson in 1999. Of Stanley’s 48 punts this season, only 16 — or one in every three — have been returnable.’

‘The only relief in sight is that the offenses, particularly the rushing offenses, of the next three teams aren’t particularly daunting. Nevertheless, the Texans will visit Buffalo to face one of the league’s weakest ground games this Sunday, then host two middling backfields-by-committee when the Patriots and Falcons visit Houston. So there is hope.’

‘Bledsoe must play better, no question, but it says here he will, when other areas around him, including coaching, improve. That may not happen this season, but it doesn’t mean the season is a waste. Donahoe didn’t expect to go from 3-13 to 13-3 in two seasons anyway, and it’s almost a shame the first two games masked the problems that were here all the time.’

‘Bennett says his 10th grade teacher, Mac Bledsoe, reinforced that belief. As did his classmate, Drew Bledsoe.’

‘Drew made a surprise appearance on the show and gave Bennett an autographed Bills jersey. Drew says teachers are the real heroes. “As football players we’re held up as hero’s and people know all about what we do, but the real heroes are the teachers that make an impact on kids on a daily basis and it’s neat to see my parents being recognized for doing that.”‘

‘Mac, Barbara and Drew Bledsoe were guests of Katie Couric (NBC’s Today Show) on November 11, 2003. The event was a special reunion for Mac and Barbara with a former student and classmate of Drew’s.’

‘To date this season, the third-year veteran from TCU has posted 36 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and one interception. In addition, he has accumulated seven quarterback pressures and six quarterback hits to lead the Bills pass rush.’

‘Head coach Doug Beetow of Eden High School has been named the Buffalo Bills’ high school football “Coach of the Week” for the tenth weekend of the 2003 season (Nov. 7-8). Beetow led Eden (10-0) to a 45-33 victory over rival Southwestern HS (8-2) in the Section VI Federation Class B championship playoff game last Saturday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘Technically, the Bills still have a chance to make the playoffs. With games at home against the Texans, Colts, Jets and Dolphins and away games at the Giants, Titans and Patriots, there is plenty of time for the Bills to get themselves back in the playoff hunt. With five losses, their margin for error is slim. But with one of the NFL’s strongest defenses and an offense that could quickly catch on fire, they have as good a chance of making a run as any team in the league. Unfortunately, the Bills have shown little in the past two weeks to show that they’re trying to turn things around.’

‘Drew deserves a huge chunk of the blame, but so do his teammates. The offensive line did not hold up well in Dallas on Sunday. Eric Moulds said that several players were responsible for missing blitz pick-ups. But, I believe that Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride should shoulder most of the blame. His play-calling has been atrocious. The offensive line, the running back, and maybe even Bledsoe have to be ready for a mutiny.’

‘Oh, the Bills might suck it up for the final seven games as a show of solidarity for their embattled head coach and his struggling offensive staff. But don’t count on it. This turkey appears cooked.’

‘”We’re aren’t pointing fingers at anybody,” defensive tackle Pat Williams said. “Everybody is still staying together. We just ain’t winning.”‘