Archives for October 2004

‘Bruschi came up the middle nearly untouched to get to Bledsoe. Henry said the missed blitz pickup was a mental error. "I was faking the run, so I don’t know what happened," Henry said. "(I don’t know) why he came up the middle like that, but it was a miscommunication somewhere."’

‘The gritty Bills’ goal was to tie the game at 24 as the fourth quarter hit dusk. It looked like they were well on their way to achieving that goal as the running of Henry and a 21-yard catch by Moulds had the Bills at the Patriots 16. But on third and 2, Henry stumbled for no gain. With around three minutes to play, Bills coach Mike Mularky was faced with whether to go for the three points and hope for a quick defensive stop or go for the first down. He went with the latter only to see disaster strike when Bledsoe was blitzed by at least three Patriots, most notably Tedy Bruschi, who forced Bledsoe to fumble. Richard Seymour picked up the ball and he and his Patriots escort went 68 yards to seal the game.’

The Bills worked two weeks on getting ready for this game and while they did show up and give the champs all they could handle, a tremendous amount of mistakes inevitably did them in once again.

With New England ahead 24-17, the victory was clinched when Seymour picked up quarterback Drew Bledsoe’s fumble and ran it 68 yards for a touchdown with 2:44 remaining. The play came as the Bills were facing fourth-and-3 at the New England 18. Whatever play Buffalo prepared was blown up by linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who was untouched in bullying his way up the middle to force the fumble.’

‘Bledsoe, who lost his job to Brady in New England’s first Super Bowl-winning season in 2001, beat the Patriots here last year and tried his best to end the streak. But the immobile quarterback had problems escaping New England’s relentless pass rush and was unable to direct any scoring drives in the second half.’

‘The Patriots were initially stopped at the Buffalo 13 and were forced to settle for an Adam Vinatieri field goal, but Buffalo’s Rashad Baker was ruled offsides which gave New England a first-and-goal. Two plays later, Brady found Graham over the middle in the back of the end zone to put the visitors up 24-17.’

‘Teague did not return after hurting his left knee early in the second quarter. Jennings was knocked cold following a helmet-to-helmet hit by Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork in the third quarter.’

‘What is your fondest memory as a Buffalo Bill? Snapping the losing streak against Miami: September 7, 1980.’

‘Referee Johnny Grier tore a muscle in his lower right leg in the first quarter of Sunday’s game between New England and Buffalo.’

‘Cornerback Troy Vincent injured his knee on Buffalo’s first defensive series and was carted off the field. The 13-year veteran will not return to the game.’

‘The Bills face the ultimate indignity today – being booed in their own stadium if they don’t perform well.’

‘It’s hard to mount 10-, 12- and 14-play scoring drives against the Patriots. Last season, they ranked first in points allowed, seventh in yards allowed, tied for second in turnovers forced, seventh on third downs and fourth in keeping teams from scoring touchdowns inside the red zone.’

‘Mularkey has been impressive in public. His laid-back manner is a refreshing departure from the clenched and condescending Williams. He hasn’t been afraid to criticize his own players. He seems like a good leader, a no-nonsense guy. Still, there’s scant evidence that his team is tougher.’

‘”It’s still there, but you have to get opportunities,” Moulds said. “I can’t throw it and catch it. I have to get passes thrown my way. The offense is going to change, and the philosophy is going to change. We’re a run-oriented team, but at the same time, when I get my opportunities, I try to make the most of them.”‘

‘The Pats seem to do everything right these days.’