Archives for September 2005

‘Buccaneers 16, Bills 13.’

‘Third-year running back Willis McGahee had a simple answer for all those who thought Losman would struggle in the role: “He came out and proved you wrong,” McGahee said. “And I told you he was going to do it.”’

‘Eric Moulds and Shaud Williams were held out of practice Wednesday due to ankle injuries. Mike Mularkey listed both as probable for Sunday in Tampa and felt both could practice on Thursday.’

‘”We realize if we would have scored touchdowns instead of field goals in the last game that game would have been over a lot earlier,” tight end Mark Campbell said. That’s one of the things we had to improve on a year ago and that’s one of the things we’re focusing on now. We do a lot of practicing in the red zone in order to get better. As this thing goes we’ll get better and obviously it’s a big emphasis for us.” Buffalo was pretty much error free on all of the scoring drives, but that changed when the Bills neared the end zone.”‘

‘"I felt like we became a strong road team there," said Mularkey. "I think we built some confidence but again, that was last year and we’ve got to go out and prove it all over again. This year with new personnel and obviously a new, young quarterback in there for us, we’ve got to establish that same kind of success this year and see where it goes from there."’

‘”In practice, there’s very few words being interchanged with us,” Milloy said. “That’s a bonus to know that you can control your side of the ball and not have to worry if the other safety is getting it right.”‘

‘The Buccaneers defense? Well, they might see Dave Ragone or Mike McMahon. Or Randy Fasani, Mark Redman, Henry Burris, Joey Harrington, Quincy Carter or Cade McNown. Those are some of the rookie, young and/or just inexperienced quarterbacks who have crashed and burned against the Bucs’ ruthless defense in recent years. Losman will be making only his second NFL regular-season start, and his first on the road, when his Buffalo Bills visit the Buccaneers on Sunday.’

‘What about the offensive line for Game Ball?

J.P. Losman: Yes, they deserve much more than a game ball. That was the most protection I’ve ever had in my life and it was an amazing feeling realizing that there wasn’t anybody in my face.’

‘After catching the pass, Bills tackle Jason Peters spiked the ball, which bounced into the second row of the seats. Protas came up with it, then protected it for the rest of the game by placing it into a plastic bag. After the game, Protas approached Losman near the players parking lot, asking for an autograph. Losman signed the ball and returned it to Protas. On the drive home, Protas began to wonder whether Losman might want to have the special ball.’

‘Five Bills to watch…’.

‘For months we’ve been hearing about how the fate of the 2005 Buffalo Bills hinges upon the performance of a second year quarterback with a good arm and a cocky attitude, the legs of a Miami running back, and 11 guys who form one of the best defenses in the league.’

‘Former NFL cornerback Terrell Buckley and Buffalo Bills quarterback Shane Matthews have joined one of the wealthiest counties in the country in a quest to raise money to rebuild Jackson County.’

‘”I think they are the number one defense in football,” said Buccaneers Head Coach Jon Gruden. “LB Takeo Spikes is as good a linebacker that I’ve seen since I’ve been in coaching. He doesn’t hit you, he clobbers you. He’s a great blitzer. Their linebacking corps is extremely quick. Their nose tackle [Sam Adams] is mammoth. He’s a big, physical presence. And Lawyer Milloy and Troy Vincent, two veteran safeties are capable of making some splash plays. This is a very unorthodox scheme and they are blessed with great talent and impact players.”‘

‘A battle of two teams that barely play each other is set for week 2. The Bills and Buccaneers meet for the eighth time in history, all eight have been in Tampa Bay where the two teams last played in 2000.’

‘"The way this past season ended, we felt there was a lot of unfinished business we needed to take care of and it started with this first game," Pro Bowl linebacker Takeo Spikes said. "We were very eager to just go out and show everybody that there was not going to be a drop-off and to prove to ourselves that in order to get to where we want to go this is the first step that needed to be taken."’