Archives for December 20, 2003

‘”We would hope that our players have a little more class and a little more concern about their team than doing something like that,” team President and General Manager Tom Donahoe said this week. “We would look at that as a very selfish act, and not even having spoken to (Bills coach) Gregg (Williams) about it I’m sure, as well as I know him, he would say the same thing.”‘

‘The Bills have not indicated the nature of the injury, but Williams has been walking gingerly since the end of last week’s game at Tennessee. Coach Gregg Williams said the second-year player would be a game-time decision.’

‘”There are a handful of broadcasters who are so distinctive (that) when you hear their voice you immediately think of their teams,” said Steve Sabol, the president of NFL Films. “He is associated with the Bills the way Ray Scott was with the Packers and Chuck Thompson was with the Colts. I could be blindfolded and hear that voice and in my mind I’m in Buffalo and it is Jim Kelly or Bruce Smith. Like all the great radio broadcasters, his delivery and the timbre of his voice approximates the rhythms and the shifts of the game. He has a certain energy to his voice that added to the pictures.”‘

‘”Gregg (Williams) has to take care of his family, I have to take care of mine,” said Buffalo defensive tackle Sam Adams. “I don’t play for him and he doesn’t coach for me.”‘

‘Congratulations to Buffalo Bills right guard Ruben Brown on his selection to an eighth straight Pro Bowl, but I’m starting to wonder if he might become the first player elected to a Pro Bowl the year after he retires.’

‘Farewell, Voice of the Bills.’

‘Lindy Ruff and Gregg Williams live just a few houses apart in the same Buffalo neighbourhood. And they may soon also be walking together to the unemployment line, if their respective Sabres and Bills don’t soon straighten out.’

”’There is no guessing game,” Dolphins linebacker Junior Seau said. “It’s not going to be a chess game. It’s not about out-smarting someone. We know exactly what they have. They know exactly what we have. There really isn’t a science to what goes on.”’

‘Dolphins sources have indicated that Wolf, who retired after the 2000 season, might be an intriguing possibility for a Miami team that could opt for a strong general manager system should coach Dave Wannstedt be fired by owner Wayne Huizenga.’

‘”They paid money, and they come to the games and they watch our games on TV and that, therefore, pays our paychecks. But I think that’s the extent of our relationship as far as I’m concerned. It’s great when you do meet true fans, but I don’t hold them responsible to be true fans. Fans are fans.”‘

‘”It’s all leverage,” Winfield says. He gets his pads under their pads, uses his legs with impeccable technique and drives into his tackle just the way it’s drawn up in the textbooks.’

‘That’s because, according to a review of game summaries, NFL teams have won 80 percent of the games (50-13) in which they have scored a defensive touchdown this season. AFC teams have won 87 percent of the games (26-4) in which they’ve done it.’

‘”As long as the season is, it’s hard to practice full-speed tackling this time of year,” Dolphins defensive coordinator Jim Bates said. “The only thing is putting guys in the right position.”‘

‘Dave Wannstedt, 11-5 in his first two seasons as Miami Dolphins coach, has crossed the line. Suddenly his management style is too much philosophy and not enough fire. His leadership is insufficient to get a veteran team moving. His draft selections are suspect and his faith in certain key players unfounded.’

‘The weather forecast has been changing all week, from a low of 19 degrees with snow to a high of 36 and cloudy. Either way, it’s not going to be all palm trees and suntan lotion at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Just call them Frosty the Snowmammals.’