Archives for December 2003

‘In one of his best games of the season, Bledsoe completed 19 of 29 passes for 252 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions to finish with a sparkling 115.9 QB rating.’

‘”I’m going to get a lot of sleep (Sunday night), too, because I’m tired,” said Williams, whose sweat-soaked, blood-stained uniform told of his hard day’s work against Strahan. “The man is good. I’ll give him props (proper respect). He’s an outstanding pass rusher.”‘

‘Any Bills fans wondering about the job security of coach Gregg Williams knows exactly what’s transpired this season with Jim Fassel and the Giants. The Bills came in with a four-game losing streak and left with a rare victory after totally dominating the Giants, who for the first time in Fassel’s seven-year tenure lost their fourth consecutive game.’

‘The Giants announced a sellout crowd of 78,481, but the figure represents tickets sold. There had to be at least 20,000 empty seats, and with five minutes left there couldn’t have been 10,000 people in the stadium.’

‘Give Henry valor award for gutting it out again. He had 113 yards on 26 carries. He wore them down with 92 in second half.’

‘”It was our day today,” said Henry, who rushed for 113 yards on 26 carries. “We were clicking on all cylinders.”‘

‘Key player: Drew Bledsoe. The Bills quarterback completed a tidy 19-of-29 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns in just under three quarters. Six of his throws went for 20 yards or more.’

‘Giants Stadium was three-quarters empty by the time the fourth quarter began, but nobody on the Giants’ offensive line could take the day off, even though it seemed that way for most of the game. Already without guard Rich Seubert (broken leg) and with tackle Luke Petitgout sidelined with back spasms, the makeshift offensive line went through yet another transformation. Jeff Roehl started for Petitgout, but when rookie left guard Wayne Lucier suffered a ligament sprain in his knee late in the second quarter, rookie Scott Peters replaced him and confusion reigned. “Our lack of experience is really showing,” center Chris Bober said.’

‘”If we practice like dirt and came out and played well, then let’s practice like dirt. I don’t quite understand it. but I’m telling you that at some point, you have to elevate your game. You can’t let this continue to happen because, to be honest, it’s embarrassing. Guys have a lot more pride than what we’re putting out there.”‘

‘”I remembered everything and I was thinking fairly clearly,” Bledsoe said, “but based on being whacked last week and getting hit again,” he was taken out. Too bad for him. After all, the Bills won’t play the Giants again until 2007.’

‘In a word the line was a mess. And when your line is a mess, it’s difficult for your skill players to function. Darn near impossible.’

‘The Bills hadn’t played such a complete game since – surprise, surprise – their last victory, a 24-7 romp over Washington on Oct. 19.’

‘”It’s not even 7-5, I say we could be 8-4 or 9-3,” said linebacker Takeo Spikes, who could’ve used a bullet to bite down on. “That’s what drives me. I get (ticked) off. We’re this close to being what we want to be.”‘

‘”Sometimes you can’t control the outcome of the game,” Milloy said, insinuating without actually saying it that the offense hasn’t done its part in recent weeks. “But defensively if you show up and play hard and give your team a chance to win, nine times out of 10 you’ll win the game.”‘

‘Quarterbacks: Drew Bledsoe may have been joking, but he did play better with a fuzzy head brought on by last week’s concussion. His 252 passing yards and two touchdowns was his best output in eight games. Deftly beat the blitz and finished with no turnovers and a 115.9 rating before leaving the game in the third quarter with a 24-7 lead. Now that’s more like it. A.’