Archives for November 2004

‘The Bills’ 54-yard flea-flicker involving RB Willis McGahee, QB Drew Blesoe and WR Sam Aiken was not a thing of beauty, but it worked, setting up a field goal that tied the game at halftime. McGahee was nearly tackled for a loss but at the last second, pitched the ball high back to Bledsoe, who calmly got control and just barely got off his heave to a wide-open Aiken on a post route. "I thought maybe he (McGahee) was going to keep it, I really did," Bledsoe said. "He got up there and then at the last second, turned around and chucked it back. By the time I looked up, Sam Aiken was in another county."’

‘“Based on what I saw, I don’t understand the comments that came from him,” Mularkey told reporters Monday. “I’ll leave it at that. I don’t see what he saw.”’

”’Certainly, any time we have an incident with a fan, we will make sure that we do whatever we can do to address that.”’

‘Martz says he felt Nate Clements and Ross Tucker were trying to cut block and injure his players. Mularkey really didn’t want to talk about it other to say his team is just play tough football.’

‘Why is it that Drew Bledsoe seems to have the most trouble on the road? His record and his rating are terrible when he’s on the road. I understand he’s not on the field by himself, but he looks like a totally different QB.

MM: Based on what has taken place this year, Drew hasn’t had as good of games on the road. We’re working on that and he’s working on that. We’re only halfway through the road schedule and he has a chance to make a difference in the road games to come.’

‘Specifically, how much say do you have in who dresses for games, starts, plays, substitutions, play calling, and other game day decisions? In addition, who else has an input and who has the final say in each of those areas on game day?

TD: The final say on these types of personnel decisions rest with Coach Mike Mularkey, along with the input from his staff. Coach Mularkey and I talk everyday about the players and the decisions made with regard to our personnel. Mike will often ask me my opinion on game day personnel decisions, but he has the final say with regard to who starts, plays and how the personnel is used.’

‘Maybe Bills coach Mike Mularkey is smarter than any of us, by inserting the eager but not-yet-ready J.P. Losman into the fray at Foxboro in the final minutes. Losman was given a little piece of humble pie, while getting a slice of experience that could be beneficial later.’

‘At 4-6, the Bills – 0-4 on the road – can forget the playoffs with seven AFC teams at least three games ahead of them at 7-3-or-better with six to play. But they’ve won their last four home games – outscoring the opposition 117-61 in the process – two of those victories against teams with winning records. And the last three wins have been an encouraging blend of quality efforts by the offense, defense and special teams.’

‘”Mark’s a guy you’re really got to take your hat off to. It’s not like he was a high draft pick (undrafted free agent with Browns). He’s really had to work his way into the situation where he is now … a starter and a very viable weapon for us. As far as being under-utilized, there’s some merit to that. When you can get the tight end involved, those are easier, shorter throws for the quarterback to get your rhythm.”‘

‘”I don’t care what their record is. They’re still my favorite team.”‘

‘"They just have good people," Martz said. "Maybe that’s the secret." Maybe, Mike. Or maybe you’re a pompous windbag who, despite your delusions of genius, was handed a franchise on the brink of dynasty and guided it into the septic tank of mediocrity, making some of the dumbest decisions in recent league history along the way.’

‘Willis McGahee: Registered game highs with 20 attempts for 100 yards…has gained 100+ rushing yards in four of five NFL starts and is the only first-year Bill with four 100-yard rushing performances in a season, breaking the record of three held by Joe Cribbs and Greg Bell.’

‘Officers arrested Julius Tyrone Robertson, 25, of Danville, Va., and charged him with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm while possessing drugs. Robertson played for the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League.’

‘This prestigious award began in 1970 and honors players who demonstrate outstanding balance in their lives between civic and professional responsibilities. In 1999, the NFL renamed the award after the late Walter Payton as a tribute to his greatness both on and off the field.’

‘But more importantly, he didn’t pass up a conversation earlier in the week with former Buffalo Bill Jim Kelly, a Hall of Famer. ”We just talked a little bit of how you handle things and how you deal with things when you’re faced with some adversity … It was good conversation,” Bledsoe said. ”It’s nice to know you’re not the only one who’s been through hard times. … It’s nice to know that you have that support.”’