Archives for August 2004

‘If neither player separates himself over the final two preseason games, the job could wind up being shared almost equally – at least to start the season.’

‘”We’re going up against the NFL player of the year for the second week in a row, so this is a good test,” said Bills defensive coordinator Jerry Gray.’

‘If there is any game to start in the preseason, this is the one. NFL clubs typically play their starters longer in the third preseason game than any other, and coach Mike Mularkey has said his first-stringers may work into the third quarter at the RCA Dome. "It will be at least the first half and maybe to start the third quarter," Mularkey said Thursday after the Bills closed the St. John Fisher College portion of their training camp.’

‘McGee is the front-runner to win the nickel cornerback position in the Buffalo defense, meaning he would be the fifth defensive back on the field in passing situations.’

‘But with Henry out because of bruised ribs, McGahee will get his first real test against some Indianapolis Colts defenders who know him well. "He’ll be a slasher or cutback kind of guy," said safety Mike Doss, who went head-to-head with McGahee the last time he started a game – in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl when Doss played for Ohio State and McGahee for Miami.’

Buffalo, left guard: Third-year veteran Mike Pucillo, a blue-collar guy with a superb work ethic, won the job in the offseason. But then he proved susceptible to the bull-rush in a scrimmage and the first preseason game, and suddenly Lawrence Smith, who has been a bit of a football nomad, began coming on. New line coach Jim McNally is famous for turning afterthoughts like Smith into players and, for now, the unheralded lineman is running with the first-unit offense.

‘Neither Henry nor McGahee found a wealth of running room against the Titans last week, with the incumbent rushing seven times for 27 yards and the rookie tallying 11 carries for 28 yards. McGahee did help his case by scoring a three-yard touchdown, however. Much of Buffalo’s offensive damage was done by quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who completed 7 of 10 passes for 67 yards while working with the first-team offense. The Bills were dealt a blow in practice this week when backup quarterback and first-round draft pick J.P. Losman was lost for an indefinite period with a broken fibula in his left leg. Losman had played well in the preseason, completing 4 of 6 passes for 23 yards and rushing for a team-high 43 yards against the Titans. In addition to Henry, cornerback Terrence McGee (leg) is also listed as doubtful for the Colts game.’

‘”I think it’s going to be a great test for us,” Dungy said as the Colts (1-1 in the preseason) prepared to play the Bills (1-1) at the RCA Dome Saturday at 7 p.m. in the third preseason game for both teams. “They bring a lot to the table – they’ve got some Pro Bowl-caliber players who can play with a lot of emotion. We’ll see how ready we are. If we’re ready, I think we’ll play well. If not, they can make you look bad.”‘

‘"The third preseason game is the game when the starters have the most playing time," quarterback Drew Bledsoe said. "There are a lot of things we’re looking to accomplish and bottom line, we need to put the ball into the end zone. I think we’ll correct the mistakes that have plagued us so far and I expect us to put some in the end zone."’

‘Do you IR him and declare the year wasted, or commit a roster spot so that he can practice and at least salvage something of 2004?’

‘”People are in need everywhere. People are in need here in Rochester, people are in need in Buffalo,” Vincent said. “As long as I’m there, if I can provide assistance, that’s what it’s all about."’

‘"We feel good about where we stand. Everybody came out and went to work every day, and I think we got good work done every day."’

‘”Even though we’re breaking camp it’s still the preseason, so I’ve got to keep fighting and keep doing my thing,” he said. “The competition never stops, whether it’s Coy or Baker or whomever. It’s a part of the game. When I see those guys out there making plays it’s telling me I need to step up my game even more.”‘

‘What kind of coach is Mike Mularkey?’

‘”I have my eyes on the starting left guard spot,” Tucker said. “They make the decisions. I go out there and play hard and play the way I know how to play. I just let the chips fall where they may.”‘