Archives for September 2004

‘"It wasn’t any pressure, I was happy he was here," Reed said Wednesday after the Bills concluded practice inside their fieldhouse on One Bills Drive. "The coaches told me we might be picking a receiver and I called him up and I never had any hard feelings. He’s a Bill and he’s bringing another dimension to the team."’

‘"Of course I always want to make more," said Schobel, who has 197 career tackles. "But three years ago if I would’ve known I’d be making this after three years, (heck). I’m so happy. Maybe I left something on the table, maybe I didn’t. It’s over and I’m happy." His teammates, concerned about continuity and the distraction a contract issue can become in the locker room, are happy, too."’

‘With Williams gone, expectations are fairly high among Bills supporters — perhaps higher than the roster actually warrants.’

‘Mularkey was known in Pittsburgh for having wide receivers line up at quarterback, using direct snaps to the running back and — most notoriously — for using late sideline substitutions just before the snap in hopes of throwing off opposing defensive coaches. The Jaguars should expect more of the same this weekend, Mularkey said Wednesday.’

Taylor says he’s ready (Florida Times Union)

Del Rio sees tricks as bunch of Mularkey (Florida Times Union)

Former Gators selected as captains (Orlando Sentinel)

Statement possible (Jaguars.com)

Stop the run, sack the QB (Jaguars.com)

Big time on Saturday (Jaguars.com)

‘When he looks back on those four close-but-no-cigar Super Bowl runs now, what does he feel? Disappointment? Frustration? Emptiness? Try pride.’

‘”Willpower,” said Mularkey when asked what it takes to be a run-oriented offense. “One thing you can’t do is get frustrated. You have to understand there’s going to be no-gain plays and maybe a negative play. But you have to be persistent with it and your players have to know you’re going to be persistent with it. Don’t ever show a sign of frustration out there because you have to believe in what you’re doing. I believe they do. On top of that, we (the coaches) have to react the same way. We can’t get frustrated in our play calling.”‘

‘The Bills want to establish a run-first identity under new coach Mike Mularkey and Jacksonville is a great opening gauge. The Jaguars ranked first in run defense in 2003. In last year’s Week 2 match-up against Buffalo in Jacksonville, the Jags played eight men in the box from the get-go, holding Buffalo to 43 yards rushing on 32 carries, daring QB Drew Bledsoe to beat them through the air. Bledsoe did, going 19 of 25 for 314 yards and two touchdowns, hitting a handful of big plays downfield.’

‘The Bills finished the preseason with a whopping 41 penalties for 340 yards in the preseason, capped by a 17-penalty game against Detroit. Think Coach Mike Mularkey has addressed the issue? “I addressed it this morning. I addressed it Monday. I addressed it Friday. I addressed it Thursday night. I addressed it at halftime. I addressed it before the game. It will be addressed,” he said.’

‘Schobel has been talked about as one of the “big three” Bills players in contract years. Jonas Jennings and Pat Williams are the other two playing out the final year of a deal. While those two shut down negotiations with the Bills at the start of training camp, Schobel left the door open and today committed to play with the Bills into the future.’

‘"I’m going to go out there and play hard and do what I’ve always done. I’m going to put pressure on myself because that’s what motivates me. There’s always something to play for. I don’t like looking bad on film. When everybody watches it together I don’t want to be the weak link."’

‘"I’m excited myself, but probably more for this team," Mularkey said. "They have prepared diligently and they’ve been impressive to be around. They’ve made my job a lot easier."’

‘“I know the pressure’s there,” said Mularkey, Pittsburgh’s former offensive coordinator. “We expect to win. And I’d say that regardless of what talent was on this team.”’

‘“What, third down?” McGahee said. “Nothing’s good enough for now. But you know, you always strive to be better, and that’s what I’m going to do.”’

‘”Yeah, in Pittsburgh we ran some trick plays and I think they keep defenses off balance, I really do. If you design them right they succeed and you have given yourself a chance for big plays. I never want to not take a chance for a big play, ever. I doubt the conservative side will come out, whether we show a trick play this game or not. I doubt that will ever happen,” Mularkey told reporters on Wednesday when he was asked if the Bills’ rather conservative personnel might mellow him.’