Archives for December 14, 2003

‘Titans quarterback Steve McNair’s 43-game starting streak ended Sunday because of a left ankle injury, and Billy Volek made his first NFL start.’

‘”We have to score regardless of if they score first or we score first,” fullback Sam Gash said. “Offensively we have to dictate the tempo of the game. We have to take it to them as oppose to waiting for them to score first and then reacting. We have a lot of confidence in our defense that they can hold them down.”‘

‘The Bills could be thinking what might have been this year because of a four-game midseason losing streak. They seemed to have righted themselves, but did they do it too late?’

‘”I know why we’ve struggled. And I’d rather be the recipient and keep at least a little of the pressure off those guys. Then they can look and say, “Here’s a guy who through example has shown us how to deal with the tough times. We’re going to follow his footsteps and keep battling through it.'”‘

‘The Bills need a proven coach who can hold his own against the best minds in the game. Most of all, they need a guy who can stand up to Bill Belichick, the coaching standard in the AFC. Williams beat the Pats in the opener this season, but there’s been a six-game swing in the standings in New England’s favor since then. If anything, the gap has gotten larger.’

‘”I don’t want to talk about it, really,” said Brown, the pain of the game’s outcome still too real. “It hurts. It still hurts to this day. I know a lot of guys may have gotten over it, but I haven’t. It bothers me. It’s a hard one, I’m not going to lie. I really don’t want to talk about it.”‘

‘”Gregg, when he was here, he was one of the first to stand up – and I mean he’d give his house up – over the fact that it was a lateral and the day he left (for Buffalo), all of sudden it’s a forward pass,” said Fisher.’

‘How good is Travis Henry?

“He’s unbelievable. My rookie year with the Redskins, I played a little bit with Stephen Davis, who led the NFC in rushing, and last year I started seven games with Emmitt Smith. I tell you what, Travis is phenomenal. He makes us look good.”‘

‘But, if Denver downs Cleveland today, as expected, Buffalo’s only path to the post-season is the unlikely scenario of the Bills winning out and Tennessee losing out.’

‘”We approach this no different than any other game. You look at what they’re doing, you break them down and you put your game plan together. But you do have to caution yourself there’s some family on that other sideline.”‘

‘Wins by San Francisco at Cincinnati, Cleveland at Denver and Philadelphia at Miami, added to a Buffalo win, would ensure another week of hope. It also would make next Sunday’s visit from the Dolphins more than just another Sunday in December that spoils Miami’s season.’

‘”You literally have to knock him unconscious to stop him,” Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher says of Henry. “He’s impressive to watch. He can humiliate defences.”‘

”’If it is a pass, I want to be the one that pressures the quarterback. If it is a run, I want to beat my block and make the tackle. Now it is like everyone be selfish, but in a good way. Selfish for the whole team.”’

‘McNair didn’t take part in a light walk-through practice at Baptist Sports Park as backup Billy Volek worked with the first-team offense. But he was in cleats for the first time since last Sunday.’

”’He is one of the better defensive tackles in the league. He is able to move side-to-side very well. He brings both power and quickness to the line of scrimmage. I am sure Sam increases his level of play when he plays us.”’