Archives for October 14, 2005

‘When I look at this game, the hat on offense goes on the Jets’ receivers because I think it’s a match-up the Jets should be able to exploit assuming the weather is good. And I think the hat is on the Jets’ defensive line because I think they are clearly better than the offensive line of the Buffalo Bills. Those are two areas that should lead the Jets to victory this week.’

‘As far as any predictions for this game, I would expect the Bills to pull out a very close battle.’

‘Now Curtis Martin, nursing a knee sprain, will be backed up by rookie Cedric Houston, with Derrick Blaylock out with a broken foot. If they’re going to get untracked, this would be the week. The Bills are ranked first in the league in pass defense, but next-to-last at stopping the run. Without LB Takeo Spikes, out for the season, Buffalo’s defense has not been nearly as imposing.’

‘Bills coach Mike Mularkey has declined to identify his starter, citing the "competitive advantage" of keeping the Jets guessing, but Holcomb has worked with the first unit this week and will get the nod. He will attempt to build on last week’s performance, when he helped the Bills snap a three-game losing streak with a 20-14 victory over Miami.’

‘"I like to fight in there," said Anderson, who will make his second start of the season at defensive tackle Sunday against the New York Jets. "I know you can’t be a nice guy and play on the line, either side, offensively or defensively. It’s a fight in there every day, which I enjoy. I think it’s a good challenge."’

‘No one knows how Mularkey came up with this idea that leaving teams guessing whether it’s Kelly Holcomb or J.P. Losman waylays their preparations. But I have a theory. Remember the final game of last season, when the Pittsburgh Steelers refused to divulge how much they’d play their starters? And the Bills had no choice but to game plan for their regulars? And then the Steelers decided to play predominantly their backups? And the Bills got their butts kicked? Guess you’d have to say Bill Cowher wrung at least 10 percent out of that little caper.’

‘Gray and his wife, Sherry, will host six students from Estacado High School in Lubbock, Texas, at Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. Gray and his wife were high school sweethearts at Estacado. He was the star quarterback. She was a cheerleader. He went to the University of Texas in Austin. She went to Texas Tech in Lubbock.’

‘The likeliest scenario at quarterback seems to be to let Kelly Holcomb start the next three games (New York, Oakland, New England) up to the bye week. Then assess the situation. If the team loses two of three, then going back to J.P. Losman for the Kansas City game after the bye seems a distinct possibility.’

‘”I feel like that’s my main job; I have more plays at corner than I do on special teams,” McGee said the other day. “Special teams is important, but defense is my main job.”‘

‘”You can definitely expect his ‘A’ game,” Vilma said. “We’re cool, we’re close, and it’ll be a great matchup. We’ve been talking about this since the offseason, so it’s going to be fun.”‘

Miami Buddies Expect to Bump Into Each Other Again (New York Times)

Vinny relishes his final drive (New York Daily News)

Lam Jones in cancer fight (New York Daily News)

Edwards give Nugent pep talk (New York Daily News)

Here’s to you Mr. Robertson (New York Post)

Vilma, McGahee going at it again (New York Post)

Nugent stays positive (Newsday)

Jets’ Dreessen gets taste of big time (White Plains Journal News)

Testaverde is enjoying his last hurrah (Newark Star Ledger)

Martin moving forward (Newark Star Ledger)

Nugent not giving up (Bergen Record)

Jets (2-3) at Bills (2-3) (Asbury Park Press)

Not Seeing Red (NewYorkJets.com)

Fantasy Football Preview: Week 6 (NewYorkJets.com)

Back to Routine (NewYorkJets.com)

‘Sunday’s outcome between the Jets (2-3) and the Bills (2-3) may end up hinging on which former Hurricane, McGahee or Vilma, gets the better of the other. "We’re close, and it’ll be a great matchup," Vilma said. "We’ve been talking about this since the off-season, so it’s going to be fun."’

‘Bills 13, Jets 9.’

‘"It feels good to be back," said Parrish, the Bills’ second-round pick who was cleared to begin catching passes and wearing pads this week for the first time since he was hurt. "The more amount of reps I take, the more comfortable I get."’

‘Special teams will make a big difference for the Bills, and could ultimately be reason why Buffalo wins 24-14.’