Archives for October 1, 2004

‘Buffalobills.com visitors selected punter Brian Moorman as the Tops Game Ball of the week winner for his performance against the Oakland Raiders on Sept. 19. Moorman completed a 24-yard pass on fourth down to cornerback Kevin Thomas, which was the first completion by a Bills non-QB since Chris Mohr’s 44-yard pass to Daryl Porter on Nov. 19, 2000. Buffalo’s two-time Pro Bowl alternate also tallied two punts inside the 20 yard line and registered a 63-yard boot, marking the 38th time in 58 career games he has connected on a punt over 50 yards.’

‘Bills 20 Patriots 17.’

‘Patriots 20, Bills 17.’

‘No one is talking about the supposed phenom in Buffalo these days. Donahoe’s draft decision may be one of the worst choices in the last decade. But there is time for McGahee, 22, to prove Donahoe’s decision rewarding. It’s just been very slow.’

‘”You never like to see a quarterback get a whole bunch (of sacks),” Brady said. “I know that the stuff I’ve seen on Buffalo, the stuff they’re always trying to work on is not take a sack . . . I’m sure he’s not trying to take any sacks, he’s trying to find the open guy and get it to him. But sacks are part of the game when you throw the ball a bunch, too.”‘

‘Bills, 19-17.’

‘”You never know how they’re going to come out,” said Bills cornerback Troy Vincent, who faced the Patriots last season as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. “They came out against us with a lot of two-tight end, one-wide receiver sets. When you’re thinking they’re going to come out and open the ball up with a no-huddle offense, they do something totally opposite.”‘

‘”I did talk to Jimmy, and he was very hospitable in inviting me down to the (Florida) Keys,” Belichick said. “We tried to catch some fish. It wasn’t a big day out there for us. But Jimmy’s got a lot of insight. He was very successful at many different levels of coaching and with many different organizations and teams.”‘

‘Furthermore, trading Henry before this year would have had a major negative effect in the locker room because he is so respected as a tough, team player and McGahee is unproven. Next offseason is a different story, because McGahee presumably will have gotten through the season healthy and have a full year under his belt. Plus there will be an acceptance within the team that they both can’t be on the same roster again.’

‘One of the dullest interviews in all of sports, he prefers to let his team’s deadly efficient play do the talking for him.’

‘In an interview with the Buffalo media, Belichick — asked whether his sentiment in the book that Bledsoe wasn’t a good decision-maker under pressure were his true feelings — responded, “I’m not getting into any book talk. We’re getting ready for a game. That book . . . some of it was done a year to two years ago, and I don’t think it’s very relevant to this week’s game.”‘

‘“We’re like brothers,” said Wilfork. “We’re both excited to play against each other. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be interesting. Just to see him play is a blessing. And I’m proud of him. But we’re on opposite ends this week. I’m going to get a chance to hit him, but nothing is going to affect our friendship.”’

‘Bledsoe’s also been sacked eight times — partly because his offensive line is awful, and partly because he moves slower than a glacier in the pocket. The sack totals jump off the page and raise an interesting theory: Has the influx of quicker, more mobile quarterbacks like Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb and Steve McNair made the old-school, drop-back passers like Bledsoe obsolete?’

‘Former Florida Atlantic right tackle Ken Campos had a workout with the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday.’

This is one book the Bills simply can’t put down (Boston Globe)

Patriots are leaders in high-tech field, too (Boston Globe)

Weaver suddenly in a tight spot (Boston Globe)

Brown in the flow (Boston Herald)

Weaver finds way (Boston Herald)

Wilson intercepts AFC honor (Boston Herald)

Wilfork eager to see ex-mate McGahee (Boston Herald)

Weaver’s deal for two years (Metro West Daily News)

No past or future for Pats — only the here and now (Providence Journal)

Is newest Patriot a prophet or ill-timed voice of doom? (Providence Journal)

Signing will add depth (Providence Journal)

Bledsoe armed and dangerous (Woonsocket Call)

Weaver finds a home with Patriots (Woonsocket Call)

Run defense must face another test (Springfield Republican)

Weaver should fit in nicely (Springfield Republican)

Miller’s fitting in just fine (Manchester Union Leader)

Buffalo wastes draft choice (Quincy Patriot Ledger)

Off to slow start (Nashua Telegraph)

Weaver jumps at the chance (Brockton Enterprise)

Weaver hopes to make it big with Patriots (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Pats streak toward record (USA Today)

Tight end Weaver gets opportunity with Super Bowl champions (AP)

Pats target NFL record this week versus the Bills (The Sports Network)

Inside slant (CBS Sportsline)

Strategy and personnel (CBS Sportsline)

Notes, quotes (CBS Sportsline)