Archives for October 30, 2005

”’He’s been the most productive return man I’ve ever had,” said April. ”I’ve coached some good returners. I don’t want to slight anyone. I had Deion [Sanders] and Rod Woodson, so I wouldn’t want to say Terrence is better, but he’s certainly been the most productive.”‘

‘Patriots 31, Bills 17.’

‘Yes, the Bills provide a wrinkle with athletic linebacker London Fletcher often lining up in a deep position and providing some bulk as the first blocker in front of McGee. But other than that, said special teams linebacker Don Davis, the Bills’ blocking scheme is basic. “It’s all him (McGee),” said Davis. “They do the same things that most teams do — mirror-blocking (each blocker taking a man), sideline returns, things like that. And Fletcher doesn’t change it that much, either, other than having a bigger guy in front of the returner. I wouldn’t pinpoint that as the reason for their success. It’s just a matter of him (McGee) making the plays where when a guy gets out of position, he sees the hole.”‘

‘”The thing about it is that it hasn’t been one particular position that has given us our problems,” said Buffalo head coach Mike Mularkey on his conference call with the Boston media. “It has been something here and there across the board that, when you add it all up, has been the main problem. Whether it’s gap control or poor tackling or being out of position, if you put them all together, that is where some of the bigger plays are coming from.”‘

‘The Bills are vulnerable right in the middle, and that means a heavy dose of Dillon is just what the doctor ordered.’

‘Everything’s lining up for 3-3 New England tonight against the 3-4 Buffalo Bills.’

‘And bet on the Patriots to use some play action to get Milloy to come up against the run and then drop passes over his head. In one of those “game-within-the-game” subplots, watching Milloy’s work tonight will be intriguing.’

‘Corey Dillon hasn’t played in three weeks. He was held out of the Broncos game two weeks ago to rest his injured ankle. If he can’t run for 100 yards against these guys, the Patriots are in big trouble.’

‘Patriots, 27-17.’

Bye week over, so say hello to Bruschi (Boston Globe)

Bills’ defense is on a bad run (Boston Globe)

A returning hero for Bills (Boston Globe)

Calling on ground control (Boston Globe)

Night scope on Patriots (Boston Globe)

A man of inner strength (Boston Herald)

Bruschi set to go (Boston Herald)

The man in the middle (Boston Herald)

McTrouble ahead (Boston Herald)

Coming together (Metro West Daily News)

Bills runs defense ranks near the bottom of the league (Metro West Daily News)

4 downs (Metro West Daily News)

Bruschi joins ailing defense (Providence Journal)

Analysis (Providence Journal)

Look out for…Lawyer Milloy (Providence Journal)

A chat with Pats’ Ashworth becomes a laughing matter (Providence Journal)

Pats hoping to pull away from divisional rivals (Woonsocket Call)

Bruschi to play tonight (Springfield Republican)

Not Always Happy Returns (Hartford Courant)

It’s An Active Bruschi (Hartford Courant)

Bills (3-4) At Patriots (3-3) (Hartford Courant)

Is Tedy ready? (Nashua Telegraph)

Another chance a treat for Poteat (Portland Press Herald)

Good to go (Brockton Enterprise)

Quarterback Tom Brady hopes the Patriots have been quick learners after their three losses (Brockton Enterprise)

Bruschi, Pats back to work (Lowell Sun)

Pats face Bills (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Pats hope tweaks in defense help tonight vs. Bills (Manchester Union Leader)

Patient Patriots regroup (New Bedford Standard Times)

Tedy back in the ball game (New Bedford Standard Times)

Bruschi receives blessing of friends, family (Lawrence Eagle Tribune)

Tedy Bruschi Activated Off Reserve PUP List (Patriots.com)

‘Bills head coach Mike Mularky will be looking for a big effort out of running back Willis McGahee, who only gained 50 yards on 16 attempts, as he was pretty much contained by the Raiders stop unit last week. He currently has 654 yards on 154 attempts with four scoring runs. It remains to be seen how New England will perform with Bruschi back in the mix, but if he’s healthy, they should improve on their current 25th ranked rush defense.’

‘In his five-year tenure as the Bills’ general manager, Tom Donahoe has made more destructive decisions than positive ones. However, this move will certainly be among his best and he deserves commendation for it. McGee, a fourth-round pick in the 2003 draft, is becoming one of the best young players in the NFL and will be a major building block for the future of the Bills franchise.’