Archives for December 2004

‘”We finished No. 2 in total defense last year but it doesn’t mean much if you miss the playoffs,” strong safety Lawyer Milloy said. “The teams in the playoffs were plus-whatever in the turnover area. Coach Gray emphasizes it every practice. It’s our focus in practice and it carries over in the game.”‘

‘Backup Tim Euhus is doubtful with a sore knee, leaving only one healthy tight end on the roster (Ryan Neufeld). The Bills moved to shore things up by signing Rod Trafford to their active roster, but it’s not likely he’ll be able to help them beyond special teams duty on Sunday. Trafford was with the Bills in training camp and was on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad.’

‘If Clements were to leave, the Bills would be stuck searching for their fifth offensive coordinator in six years.’

‘Jason Peters had his number changed to 85. He’s practicing more with the tight ends than the tackles this week.’

‘ESPN.com has confirmed that Clements, a former Notre Dame quarterback, will meet Thursday night with Irish officials about the school’s head coaching vacancy. The timing of the session was set, in part, so that it will not conflict with Clements’ responsibilities as the resurgent Bills prepare for their Sunday matchup with the Cleveland Browns.’

‘The former NFL Europe standout is familiar with Buffalo’s offense, having spent part the entire 2004 preseason with the team before being released a week before the regular season began. "Rod has been out of the system for four months and we’ll get him caught up as much as we can with out overloading him and expecting him to do too much," Mularkey said on Wednesday.’

‘”I’m going to do the best job I can,” Neufeld said of moving into the starting line up. “I’ve learned a lot from Mark throughout this season and hopefully I can get in there and do what he’s been doing.”‘

The Bills are on fire as they will try to continue their improbable playoff run against the Browns. Their 6-6 record puts them on the fringe of the playoffs. Cleveland is going in the opposite direction as they’ve lost six straight and are playing out the string. This is a classic trap game as the Bills could get caught looking ahead to next week’s battle with fellow playoff wannabe Cincinnati.

The ever-immobile Bledsoe will never be mistaken for Atlanta’s agile and powerful Michael Vick when it comes to scrambling out of the pocket. But he’s no longer the aging, struggling, supposedly washed-up player many were calling him after the worst performance of his career in Buffalo’s 29-6 loss to New England on Nov. 14.

On a neatly manicured grass practice field, under a cloudless and sunny August morning, in front of scores of interested onlookers, including members of the national media, Willis McGahee — the Bills’ 2003 first-round draft choice — was making his long-awaited NFL debut, a full 19 months after suffering one of the most gruesome knee injuries anyone had ever seen.

‘Clements, 51, has connections to two of Notre Dame’s most successful coaches. He played under Ara Parseghian, leading the 1973 team to a national championship, and was an assistant under Lou Holtz from 1992-95. ”He has a good football mind, he’s a good, solid person, and he’s a Notre Dame alum,” Holtz told The Associated Press on Wednesday.’

‘While the team did not release the full extent of the injury, Campbell hurt his knee while blocking for running back Willis McGahee late in the first quarter of Sunday’s 42-32 victory over the Miami Dolphins.’

‘Jeff Garcia’s right shoulder isn’t the only thing strained for Cleveland’s quarterback. His relationship with the Browns doesn’t appear to be much better.’

‘McGahee, though, has provided a hammer for the offense, a workhorse back who can set a game’s tempo and keep opposition defenses honest. The former University of Miami star, now back to full strength following his lengthy rehabilitation from the catastrophic knee injury he sustained on the final carry of his college career, clearly experienced a longer breaking-in period than most. Over the last seven games, though, McGahee has been breaking down defenses.’

‘Rookie Tim Euhus will move into the starting role for the Bills. He caught four passes for 32 yards with a touchdown in the 42-32 win over the Dolphins, and this season has 11 catches for 98 yards with a pair of scores.’