Archives for October 2004

‘If everyone goes out on the field and does the job he’s responsible for, then the personal achievements will come, along with victory. I just don’t see a lot of players doing that these days. You can’t worry about what the other 10 guys on the field are doing and you can’t make excuses for them. When everyone does what they’re supposed to do, you will win. A lot of teams today wait for someone to step up, but no one looks in the mirror and forces himself to be that guy. That’s what a winner does and that’s what a lot of players in this league need to do.’

‘It’s a little different at One Bills Drive now than when Bill Polian was the general manager. Think back to his famous “Jim Kelly is still the quarterback, Ted Marchibroda is still the offensive coordinator and Marv Levy is still the coach. If you don’t like it, get out of town.” Under Commander Tom Donahoe and his puppets, it’s more like: “Travis is a starter and Willis is a starter, and if you don’t like it, get out of town.” The fans may not get out of town, but they may stay away from Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sundays.’

‘”I am very familiar with them and they are very physical, they’ve got big guys in there like Sam Adams, Takeo Spikes,” said Ayanbadejo. “They are guys who come to play and they are very talented upfront. They don’t do a lot of things to trick you. They believe they are more talented than you are and that they are going to outplay you.”‘

‘"We’d better expect the blitz this week," said right guard Chris Villarrial. "They’re going to bring it. They’re going to bring the blitz and we’re going to have to pick it up. We’re going to have to be disciplined this week."’

‘"Travis is more of a downhill player," said offensive lineman Chris Villarrial. "He hits the hole real quick. Willis is more of a guy that likes to get on the edge. He’s more of a finesse player almost. They’re both physical backs. One likes to hit it down a little quicker and one likes to read it a little bit and then get going, but they’re both great backs and we need them on this team."’

‘Although the Bills are a 3-point favorite, coach Mike Mularkey said he shouldn’t have to remind his players that these aren’t the same old Cardinals. "All you have to do is throw the tape on, and no matter what I say they’re going to see this team is playing hard," he said. "Their bye week (prior to the Seattle game), they went back and retooled a little bit. I just see a different team. They’re playing with more confidence, at a faster tempo. They’re playing more physical. They’re playing with more high emotion. I don’t think there’s any team you can take lightly in this league. Not for a second."’

‘Tolbert’s success with young receivers has followed him to Buffalo. The Bills drafted Lee Evans with the 13th overall pick in the spring and he is quickly developing into a major offensive weapon.’

‘Virtually all of them these days train in NFL Europe and Arena Football before they hit the NFL. The NFL runs the officiating departments for the Arena Football League and the arenafootball2 league.’

‘Recapturing that momentum at the gate – and adding to it – is the new task facing the team. As always, winning is the best marketing tool, president and general manager Tom Donahoe said. "Our fans have been great. We have no complaints about anything," Donahoe said. "We have to play better. If we play better, we’ll sell them all out."’

‘The five teams that have beaten the Bills – Jacksonville, Oakland, New England, the New York Jets and Baltimore – are 22-10.’

‘”I’m not going to say it will make it easier, but it is more of an incentive knowing he’ll be back there longer than, say, (Seattle quarterback Matt) Hasselbeck,” said defensive end Calvin Pace, who is tied for the team lead with four sacks. “If you give him time he will pick you apart, so you obviously have to put some pressure on him. He is almost willing to take a sack in order to have another chance to throw it down the field. Obviously, he’s not afraid to take them. It could be a plus for us, but we still have to get back there.”‘

Wilson wants to see job through (Arizona Republic)

Bills defense performs against tough schedule (Arizona Republic)

Bills QB’s lack of mobility has made him easier to sack (East Valley Tribune)

Smith looks forward to more carries, records (AP)

Boldin’s return set for Sunday (The Sports Network)

Bills Better Than Record Indicates (AZCardinals.com)

Anquan Boldin’s Big Red Rage Radio Show Tonight (AZCardinals.com)

‘The Bills will have to improve that aspect of their game this week because Arizona has the No. 1 red zone defense in the NFL. The Cardinals don’t let their opponents get into the end zone, but the Bills will have to find a way to break the goal line if they’re going to walk off the field victorious.’

‘I believe the Bills will win 20-14.’

‘But what Genco remembers most was a trip the Backers made to watch the Bills battle the San Diego Chargers on Oct. 28, 2001. Even though Buffalo lost the Flutie/Johnson bowl 27-24, it was quite the event for this group of fans. "Our headquarters were at the Holiday Inn in old town San Diego," Genco recalls. "And the group drank both bars in the hotel dry, they ran out of beer! But we had such a good time, it was all in fun."’