Archives for November 2004

‘New England didn’t do anything special to slow down the running game last week. We played them very well the first time and they were looking to get back at us. With the type of defense they play, they don’t penetrate the line they sit back and read the offense. Sometimes that makes it harder to find the holes this way. We had our moments running the ball but we weren’t able to sustain anything and that was the biggest problem.’

‘I don’t think it’s time for him to start. Bledsoe still gives the Bills the best chance to win and I’m sure Mike Mularkey will continue to start him until he thinks that’s not the case anymore. The Bills are not out of it yet and to go to a rookie quarterback at this point in the season would be a mistake. The only scenario in which I can see Losman starting this year is if the Bills are out of the playoff race and Mularkey wants to play some younger guys to get ready for next year. Losman is the future of this franchise and he’s eventually going to need some starts under his belt’

‘Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe has struggled mightily this season, at times throwing the ball directly to the defender.’

‘Reed missed the last two games after injuring his left knee early in Buffalo’s win over Arizona Oct. 31. Vincent hasn’t played since having arthroscopic knee surgery after getting hurt against New England on Oct. 3.’

‘Mike Mularkey says Vincent is improving a little, but is not near being ready. Coy Wire practiced all three days and should be available for Sunday against the Rams.’

‘Speaking of punt returns, often this season we’ve had two guys back deep on punt returns. We’ve done this mostly because punters place the ball all over the field and it’s tough for Nate Clements to field everything. Possession is the number one priority. We want Nate to get us field position, but not at the expense of doing something foolish with the ball. Up to this point, Nate has really done a good job and has made a lot of smart decisions, maturing as a pro returning punts.’

‘Rams, 24-13.’

‘Rams 24, Bills 21.’

‘ Is television work in your future once you retire?

I probably will pursue it. That’s why I do a lot of things in the offseason to try and prepare myself for that. It’s something I enjoy doing and hopefully I’ll get that opportunity once my playing days are over.’

‘However, the offense in ’84 and ’85 was slightly more productive on the road than the Bills have been the past 16 games.’

‘The Rams are 29th in the NFL against the run, giving up 140.1 yards per game. They are allowing a whopping 4.9 yards per rush, worst in the league.’

‘"We’re going to go out there and do some things to help those guys out," Gray said of Baker and McGee. "But you’re also going to have to take them off the diaper because when you’re playing defensive back in this league, hey, you’ve got to have a short memory and you’ve got to learn from your mistakes. The faster you can learn from them and keep working and get better, you’ll be a really good player."’

‘No longer will the 2003 second-round draft choice be rotating starts with 2002 second-round draft choice Ryan Denney. "It was a situation where the coaches saw where I might have been a little more productive in certain areas and thought that I deserved the role and that’s what I strive for," Kelsay said. "I didn’t want to have anything handed to me. I wanted to earn it, and I think I did that."’

‘"They’re like a chameleon," Martz said. "They can be blitzing the heck out of you and then all of a sudden stop. But their defensive front is formidable. … Their front seven can play with anybody. You’re not going to find one that’s a whole lot better than this one."’