Archives for December 2003

‘”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.’

‘Orchard Park, NY – Prior to Sunday’s Bills-Dolphins game at Ralph Wilson Stadium, the recipient of the PARADE/Buffalo Bills Community Quarterback Award Winner will be announced in a special on-field ceremony at 12:10 PM.’

‘”The rivalry the players have with the other players from the Dolphins is more of that we know them,” said Ruben Brown. “As for the fans, a lot of them live down in Florida or transported to Florida from here and continue to root for the Bills and that’s what makes it such a big rivalry.”‘

‘“It’s a little sore, but it’s been sore most of the season,” Williams said. “I’ve had a sore shoulder for the last three years, so it’s nothing new.”’

‘”This place is fan-demonium!”‘

‘When given the chance, the Bills love to keep the ball on the ground with Travis Henry. Due to the relative shootout with Tennessee. Henry was limited to 19 carries for 88 yards (4.6 ypc). On the season, Henry, who continues to play with a cracked bone in his right leg, has 10 rushing touchdowns.’

‘”I think out of the past three or four years I’ve been playing good ball. I think a lot of it is politics. A lot of it is who’s winning and who’s not. Who’s hot and who’s not. I was fortunate enough to be on a Bills team, a great organization that it is, and I had a great group of guys here who cared about trying to get me across the water.”‘

‘”We’ve got two more games, a big rival in the Miami Dolphins, and we have to finish up the season strong to set the right tempo for next year,” Henry said. “I think everybody on this football team is going to finish up strong to the end.”‘

‘”Even though we didn’t do quite as well (as a team), this was a piece of something I wanted to do as a personal goal. It eases the pain a little, but once it’s over it’s (not making the playoffs) still going to hurt.”‘

‘Four games – Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis and Tennessee – came down to the final offensive drive for the Bills. Those drives ended: punt, fumble, interception, failed 2-point conversion.’

‘For Ogunleye, the timing is perfect. He is set to be a restricted free agent at the end of this season and will likely generate great interest around the league.’