Archives for September 17, 2004

‘Bouncing back from a loss like last week can be difficult. Do you see this team being more resilient than last years? And, what role do you feel you play getting the offense rejuvenated after last week’s loss?

EM: We just have to go out there and play a lot better. I think when we have an opportunity to put teams away we’ve got to put them away. When we have an opportunity to make plays we have to make them. It was a loss and losses always hurt you but at the same time we have 15 more games left and we’ll go from there and hopefully things will work are way.’

‘Raiders 26, Bills 21.’

‘Oakland 24 Bills 17.’

‘"The General Manager of the restaurant, Jimmy Peterson, is a Bills fan," said the club’s co-president Kim Montoya. "When he approached one of our members [about making the restaurant the new home for the group], my husband and I went over and tested the wings. Then we were all set."’

‘"It’s going to be exciting considering I used to watch those guys on TV when I was in college," Smith said. "I think it’s going to be a big test, a big challenge."’

‘”I remember my first game there,” said Bills guard Chris Villarrial of a 1999 trip with the Chicago Bears. “I looked up in the stands and this kid was probably 8 years old and he was giving me the finger, and he was standing next to his dad. You can expect the unexpected at this place. It’s unusual. It’s going to be a loud environment.”‘

‘Gannon said he was “totally” surprised that Mularkey, whom he played with in 1987-88, delved into coaching because in the 1980s he seemed a better fit for Saturday night at the comedy club than drawing up X’s and O’s on a Sunday afternoon.’

Walker suddenly starting on bench (Oakland Tribune)

Gannon works on quicker release (Oakland Tribune)

Walker left out in O-line shuffle (Contra Costa Times)

Johnson waits for turn to contribute (Contra Costa Times)

Top pick Gallery unseats Walker at right tackle (San Jose Mercury News)

Ex-teammate Mularkey to coach against Gannon (San Jose Mercury News)

Raiders’ game Sunday not on TV (San Jose Mercury News)

Rice adjusting to new role (San Francisco Chronicle)

As usual, no local TV for Sunday’s home opener (San Francisco Chronicle)

Gallery replaces Walker at tackle (Sacramento Bee)

Are team’s multiple sets too complex? (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

Rookie Gallery to make first NFL start as Oakland’s right tackle (AP)

‘"Thank God for guys like him. He’s what we hope the makeup of this team is going to be when it’s all said and done."’

‘Henry, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher, remains the starter. He ground out 75 yards on 23 carries against the Jags. But don’t be surprised if McGahee receives more carries as the season progresses, maybe even Sunday when the Bills visit the Oakland Raiders, who start run-stuffing Ted Washington and Warren Sapp on the defensive line.’

‘"I’m a little interested to see what that’s all about," Bledsoe said. "I’ve heard about it and I’ve seen it on TV. I know it’s a crazy, crazy place to play. And I hesitate to say I’m looking forward to it, but it’s certainly one of those unique experiences in the NFL."’

‘Playing well isn’t the same thing, though. Attention to detail and game awareness are just as crucial as the willingness to bang your head against a locker-room wall, and the vaunted (in some circles) Bills defense came up woefully short in both categories on Jacksonville’s final drive last week.’

‘"Coy is a tremendous role model on and off the field, who is willing to work hard to help this community," said Joe Ferrino, Vice President of the local McDonald’s Co-op. "The McDonald’s team appreciates Coy’s devotion to the community and his dedication to this program. The opportunity for local students to have an NFL player as their principal for a day is exciting and we could not do this without Coy."’

‘"We can go out and get a win and not play well. Where does that put us going into the off week?" asked offensive tackle Jonas Jennings. "We’re always looking to go out and play to win, it’s never looking ahead saying `man what if we lose this game then we got a bye week?’ If you lost you definitely got a sour taste in your mouth and you can’t wait to the next game. Our next game is in Oakland, and it’s a west coast trip. We just got to go out there and man it up and play football."’

”’It’s killing me not to be out there,” he said. ”I’m a guy that prides myself being loyal to myself, loyal to my teammates, one of the guys that’s dependable. But sometimes when nature takes its course, you can’t do anything about that."’