Archives for September 29, 2005

‘”It’s a natural process that’s going on right now for a young quarterback, and Sam has experienced it. At least he can say, ‘Hey, back when this happened,’ and you know he’s gone through it. It’s not like he’s experiencing it at the same time J.P. is.”‘

‘While nobody at One Bills Drive is saying that the Bills won’t miss a beat without Spikes – the undisputed defensive leader and locker room Gen. Patton – it’s clear just how confident the team is in Crowell.’

‘”Man, let me tell you something: The Saints aren’t going to be the first team they make a mockery of, and we will not be the last team they make a mockery of,” Horn said in a conference call Wednesday. “Believe that. Nobody is bigger than the NFL. And whoever the commissioner is calls the shots. It’s as simple as that.”‘

‘The struggles certainly haven’t fazed Losman or his teammates. “We’re fine,” he said. “Everybody has been behind me and my efforts, but there’s going to come a time when we’re going to have to make some plays, and the quarterback position is going to have to step up and make some throws, especially down in the red zone.”‘

Bills made huge investment in Losman (New Orleans Times Picayune)

12,000 tickets left for Saints’ San Antonio debut (New Orleans Times Picayune)

Twin finds a place of his own (San Antonio Express News)

Saints’ wicked hoop: It’s been done (San Antonio Express News)

Bills see improved play despite growing pains, stick with Losman (San Antonio Express News)

Saints march in with aid (San Antonio Express News)

No decision on TV blackout of Saints (San Antonio Express News)

New Orleans Saints report (San Antonio Express News)

The Saints come marching in (Austin American Statesman)

A golden ticket for San Antonio? (Dallas Morning News)

San Antonio embraces Saints, hopes for NFL team (AP)

Horn: NFL made `mockery’ of Saints for playing at Meadowlands (AP)

Saints WR Horn questionable? (The Sports Network)

Inside slant (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy and personnel (The Sports Xchange)

Notes, quotes (The Sports Xchange)

First true home game week for Saints (NewOrleansSaints.com)

‘The Bills have long boasted that their backup linebackers are good enough to start. Now they’ll get to prove it.’

‘”We opened the game with a couple of chances (down field), but I don’t want to use the word ‘pamper,'” Mularkey said. “Whatever he sees, I want him to take. (Against the Falcons), it wasn’t the short stuff; the checkdowns or drop offs to the tight end that he saw.” Of the 39 pass completions that Losman has, 26 have gone to the wide receivers and 13 to his running backs and tight ends. After the two fly routes to Moulds and Evans last week, Losman came back with a dump pass to FB Daimon Shelton for eight yards and a quick sideline toss to Moulds for eight. Those routes and completions kick started a 13-play, 50-yard drive to a field goal.”‘

‘Pro Bowl LB Takeo Spikes had surgery Tuesday to repair his ruptured right Achilles’ tendon. Dr. James Andrews performed the operation in Birmingham, Ala. “From what we’ve been told, it went well,” general manager Tom Donahoe said. “It’s a long rehab process but Takeo’s a special worker and he’ll do what he has to to get back.” Spikes was placed on season-ending injured reserve while rookie linebacker Liam Ezekiel was added to the 53-man active roster from the practice squad. Signed to the practice squad was LB Wendell Hunter. Hunter was a training camp cut.’

‘Buffalo’s defense has struggled this season even with Spikes in the lineup, allowing a combined 721 yards in the last two games, including a 19-3 defeat at Tampa Bay on Sept. 18. Quarterback J.P. Losman struggled against the Falcons, finishing 10-of-23 for 75 yards with an interception and a lost fumble. Willis McGahee was the lone bright spot offensively, rushing for a career-high 140 yards and scoring Buffalo’s only touchdown.’

‘When are you going to break out that wicked stiff arm we Bills fans loved to see last season?

Willis McGahee: Pretty soon. There hasn’t been any need for me to use it yet. It’s going to come out. I don’t know when or where or against who but it’s coming.’

‘”I don’t feel any pressure,” Crowell said. “I feel like I go out there and just play ball, play within the scheme and just do whatever I can to help this team win.”‘

‘Williams and Wire are listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup with the Saints. TE Tim Euhus is also listed as questionable.’

‘“I’m trying to keep a level head,” Moulds said Wednesday. “Back four or five years ago, I probably would’ve lost it by now. But I told coach I’m going to stick with it and see what happens. But there comes a point where we have to win some games, we have to make plays.”’