Archives for November 23, 2004

‘While those were Brooks’ 37th and 38th career touchdowns, scoring his first was second-year tight end Lonnie Johnson, who had a game-high seven catches. "That in itself was a milestone, having finally come to the realization that I was in the NFL and having an opportunity to play for one of the best teams in the NFL," Johnson said. "And then to catch a pass from one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, in my opinion, actually solidified the fact that I was a big leaguer. It was just an exciting moment. I looked to it as being something that was going to lead up to even greater things in the future."’

‘Buffalo, unlike most NFL teams, puts two returners deep on punts because Clements and Smith are so talented. “Nate’s got a lot of ability,” April said, “and Freddie has handled the ball twice and had two big returns (he took a punt 70 yards for a TD at New England). It’s usually the returner (making the difference)."’

‘"I think Sam is playing as well as any defensive tackle in the league right now," said Bills defensive coordinator Jerry Gray. "He’s been very consistent with his game. I thought he played well for us last season, but he’s raised his game to a new level this season. If he keeps playing like he has, he’ll get a lot of votes."’

‘"Based on what I watched, I don’t understand his comments and I’ll just leave it at that," Mularkey said. "I don’t see what he felt. He’s got his opinion and I don’t understand them."’

‘Who else on the Bills gets down on the Xbox and Halo 2?

WM: Mike Williams, Sam Adams and Nate….what’s Nate’s last name again? Yeah, Nate Clements. And out of that group, I got the skills. I got the skills to pay the bills.’

‘"That’s one of the advantages to the way our games are done in all our stadiums (in the NFL)," Donahoe said on Monday. "There is some separation between the bench area and the fans and in some of the other sports there isn’t. It’s a much more conducive environment for trouble and to watch some NBA games, there are almost people sitting on the benches. It’s not a good situation."’

‘The Bills’ playoff chances are about as realistic as leftovers at Sam Adams’ house following Thanksgiving dinner. But for that flickering flame not to get extinguished, the Bills have to win on the road. They haven’t won in four tries this year, and now they have to travel four of the next five weeks to Seattle, Miami, Cincinnati and San Francisco. Can you say sweep?’

‘”The one on Torry (Holt) … I mean, it’s legal, doesn’t matter,” Martz said. “Torry wasn’t immediately involved in the play, yet (cornerback Nate Clements), for whatever reason, went after his knee. There’s not much you can do about that, I guess. It angered me, but … it’s legal. The other ones, you know, what are you going to do? That’s just the way they play the game. There’s no more to be said, really.”‘

‘”I didn’t sleep at all last night,” Martz said. “This is the first night in my coaching career where I didn’t sleep. A lot of things went through my head. The more I thought about it and looked at it, the more clear it became. I do know what the approach is and the course that we will take.”‘

Martz relents on Bills’ blocks (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Buffalo loss troubles Martz (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

If Rams don’t like getting hit, maybe they should hit back (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Martz says Landeta needs to produce (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Special teams changes coming, Martz says (Belleville News Democrat)

After sleepless night, Martz promises changes (AP)

Inside slant (CBS Sportsline)

Strategy and personnel (CBS Sportsline)

Notes, quotes (CBS Sportsline)

Special Teams Needs Fixing (StLouisRams.com)

Head Coach Mike Martz (StLouisRams.com)

‘Robertson has been plagued with troubles the past few years. He is a former defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills. In 2002, the NFL suspended him for the second time for violating its substance abuse policy – he tested positive for cocaine earlier that same year and received a four-game suspension.’

‘I’m no Tony Robbins but here’s the advice I would give. Don’t tell the media and the fans this week, that there’s no difference playing on the road. We ask the questions, and the players refuse to acknowledge the issue. Now, I’m no psychiatrist, but I will say you have to admit there’s a problem before you can solve it. This week, admit that you stink on the road, and maybe you can figure out a way to change it. By the way I dropped my only psych. class in college, so what do I know… I think I’ll go listen to my Tony Robbins tapes.’

‘What’s shocking is how Campbell became such a focal point for quarterback Drew Bledsoe after he failed to catch a single pass in three consecutive games. In a 29-6 loss at New England in which Bledsoe completed just eight passes and had a career-low 14.3 rating, he didn’t dump one ball off to his big safety valve.’

‘A true test of a staff is its ability to regroup its men after a bad loss. After its 29-6 debacle in New England, rookie Mike Mularkey and Co. came back in a big way against the high-flying Rams, taking advantage of the fact St. Louis cares about offense but wants nothing to do with defense or special teams. On offense, the Bills attacked with the tight end. On defense, they blitzed and created turnovers. On special teams, they worked the exact returns that were drawn up on the chalkboard. Imagine if the Bills didn’t slow themselves down with 15 penalties.’