Archives for October 2004

‘Travis Henry, who usually gives the Jets fits, had 12 carries for 33 yards and was limited in the second half by an ankle injury. McGahee, who has complained about his playing time, filled in and had eight carries for 42 yards.’

‘After shutting out the Bills over the first three quarters, New York fell behind, 14-13 with 6:20 remaining when Buffalo quarterback Drew Bledsoe beat cornerback David Barrett on a 46-yard touchdown pass to rookie Lee Evans. Jets quarterback Chad Pennington responded with an 11-play, 60-yard drive where he completed 7-of-8 passes for 51 yards. His last was a two-yarder to fullback Jerald Sowell, setting up the go-ahead kick for Brien.’

‘Trailing 13-0 entering the fourth quarter, Buffalo scored a pair of touchdowns in the frame to take the lead. The Bills capitalized on a Jets turnover to pull within 13-7 on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Bledsoe to Mark Campbell with 8:57 left in the fourth. The eight-play, 69-yard scoring drive was set up by Jeff Posey’s interception of a Pennington pass and featured a 21-yard run by Willis McGahee on 3rd-and-9 from the Jets’ 37. After the Jets went three-and-out on their next possession, Bledsoe went deep to Lee Evans for a 46-yard scoring strike that put the Bills up 14-13 with 5:58 remaining.’

‘Wire, who was starting in place of the injured Lawyer Milloy, is out with a bruised quadriceps. Pierson Prioleau, who entered the season as No. 3 on the depth chart, gets the start. The Bills also are without cornerback Troy Vincent, who hurt his right knee last weekend.’

‘"We understand as a line we have the ability to do it," said Bills right tackle Mike Williams. "We have to cut down on the mistakes and the pre-snap penalties. We have to make up those yards somehow. It’s better to not have to make them up."’

‘But Butler, rest his soul, looks a lot better now. Sure, he overpaid his players to win. There were salary cap ramifications. But Butler’s players justified the investment.’

‘"They may try to test him, but you want to take it away," Bills safety Izell Reese said. "If he told you they’re going to come at him, then he’s confident that he’s going to do his job and do what it takes to get it off him. That’s what you have to do. If he plays well, it’s null and void. It doesn’t matter whether he’s out there or Troy is out there."’

‘Ride Henry. If Buffalo gives up the run too soon, Drew Bledsoe could find WR Eric Moulds free downfield, but he also could find himself pummeled in the pocket (sacked 14 times last two weeks). Keep up the front seven pressure on defense; otherwise, Pennington play action could expose a secondary playing backups at corner (Terrence McGee) and safety (Pierson Prioleau).’

‘"When that game clock is on you shouldn’t have to press any more than you do in practice. They have to realize Sundays should be easier than practice days. We have to recognize the enemy and we have to do something about it."’

‘Are the Jets overrated? Let’s face it, beating the Bengals, Chargers and Dolphins isn’t exactly heavy lifting. True, they won all three and the Bills have lost all three, but the difference between these teams may not be that great, and if the Bills can stay close and get some confidence, they could win.’

‘"I think I’m a DB first. Bobby (April, Buffalo’s special teams coach), he always told me he thought I could be a very good return man. He probably had more confidence in me than I had, but it’s been a good year so far. The guys are blocking real well, so that makes it easier."’

‘Heading into today’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Martin is attempting to rush for 100 yards for the fourth consecutive game at the start of season, something he never has accomplished in his illustrious career. “Physically I feel as good as ever,” he said. “My body feels refreshed. I can’t explain it other than hard work.”‘

‘Henry, the Bills’ featured running back, has had a mini-career against the Jets the past three seasons, rushing for 567 yards and five TDs on 118 carries in five games against them.’

‘The Bills have one more first down than their opponents. They average 31:50 of possession to their opponents’ 28:10. They’re ranked fourth in the NFL in defense against the run and ninth overall. They average 100 rushing yards per game; their opponent averages 85. "It’ll be tough sledding for us again this week," guard Pete Kendall said. "Nobody here thinks that they’ve packed in their season. We know that they’re perhaps going to be more dangerous because they’re 0-3. I would imagine that they’re pointing to this game as a very critical game to their season, and we’re fully expecting to get their best game."’

‘Jets 20, Bills 13.’