Archives for December 27, 2003

‘“I remember sitting at 2-2 thinking we need to get to the bye week at 5-4,” Brady said. “That was a long time ago and a lot of hits ago, too. We really have done some good things and we have put ourselves in a good position. It doesn’t do any good if we lose this week, which is the reason why there has to be attention to detail.”’

‘“He does a great job with the things you have to do as a pro to prepare to play on Sunday,” Williams said. “Those are things that coaches can only do so much with, but the other players get a chance to see through example how the top players in the league go about preparing. He’s been very, very valuable in that area.”’

‘“Basically,” Bledsoe said of today’s homecoming, “I grew up there. I (went to New England) as a 21-year-old kid, and when I left I was 29 and had three kids. It’s still a place that holds a special place in my heart and the hearts of our family. It is special to go back there. Now,” he added, “we have to go back there and win.”’

‘The pick: Patriots by 32.’

‘Yes, Law is now in the fattest years of the seven-year, $49-million contract he signed before the 1999 season. If he doesn’t rework his contract — and he’s been adamant that he won’t — he’ll count more than $22 million against the salary cap the next two years. The fact is, his cap number in 2004 is $9,457,365, just $650,000 higher than it is this season. Given the way he’s played this season, a $650K bump is certainly within reason.’

‘The Patriots were able to do the same thing in 2001 when they were just trying to survive each week. They kept their heads down and worked every week until they looked up to find themselves the last ones standing.’

‘Remember the 2002 season when they used their “Dollar” package successfully against the Bills? That was when New England had its defensive front seven standing upright near the offensive line, forcing Bills blockers to identify who was rushing and who was dropping back. It made for a long day for Bledsoe and that page in the playbook might be dusted off and put into action today.’

‘New England has nine interceptions in the last three games, and 27 overall. Bledsoe has 11 INTs, and the Bills as a whole have turned the ball over 30 times this season. Opportunities should present themselves today.’

‘Belichick is making it sound as if his team’s first goal today is to avoid another humiliation.’

‘Led by LB Takeo Spikes, DE Aaron Schobel (11.5 sacks) and an excellent pair of CBs in Nate Clements and Antoine Winfield, the Bills rank second in the NFL in total defense, seventh against the run and third against the pass. But they haven’t forced many turnovers (they have only 10 interceptions, the Patriots 27), and because of their turnover-prone offense, are tied with the Giants for the next-to-worst takeaway/giveaway ratio (minus 13).’

‘”Every year you start out the year wanting to make the playoffs,” Williams said. “That was our focus this year, too, but we weren’t that good to get there. We are what we are right now. Record-wise, we earned (6-9).”‘

‘It’s unlikely the Bills will repeat their performance from the first game.’

‘Motivation won’t be a problem for Bill Belichick’s Patriots. They’ve openly denied it, but getting home-field advantage would be the perfect Christmas gift. They’ve won all seven of their games at The Blade entering this weekend and have been dominant in the process. During a five-game stretch at home, they did not allow a touchdown in 19 consecutive quarters. Other teams have been tough to beat at home, but none of them have been as impenetrable as the Patriots.’

‘Chew on these numbers: The Patriots are tied for second in the league with 37.0 sacks. Bledsoe has been sacked 46 times — the most by any quarterback in the NFL. This could get ugly.’

‘“We thought they were a very good football team when we played them and even after we played them,” Bills’ coach Gregg Williams said last week. “I watched them grow throughout the course of the year. Those guys have played well, they are playing very confidently. They do a very good job defensively on taking the ball away and setting their offense up. Their offense protects the ball. They do a good job of protecting the football and taking the high-percentage play.”’