Archives for October 2005

‘No one thought the Bills’ passing attack would resemble last year’s Indianapolis Colts, but downfield throws have been far too infrequent. What is particularly baffling is the Bills’ inability to take advantage of depleted secondaries.’

‘Forced to spread the ball around, Collins did just that. Six Raiders caught passes. “Kerry was outstanding,” Oakland coach Norv Turner said.’

‘”I thought the offense played well enough for us to win,” said Bills free safety Troy Vincent. “But defensively, we didn’t do a fine job at all by any stretch of the imagination. We’re not getting off the field, they’re scoring points, and they’re converting on third down. That all adds up to a loss.”‘

‘The Bills looked like one of the worst teams in the league Sunday…’.

‘Overthought it at 1-yard line by giving it to Shelton. Offense stuck in mud. Defense can’t get off the field.’

‘Raiders weren’t as bad as 1-4 record. Turner was ready for Bills’ zone dogs. Defense adjusted despite injuries.’

‘With Willis McGahee, the self-proclaimed best running back in the NFL, at their disposal, the Bills gave the ball to a rusty fullback Sunday on fourth and goal from the 1 with under seven minutes to go in the half. So, into the pile behind the right guard went Daimon Shelton, an eighth-year player from Sacramento State whose previous carry was five years ago for Jacksonville. Result: no gain, with linebacker Kirk Morrison and corneback Renaldo Hill combining on the stop for the Raiders.’

‘Such humility closed a week that began with McGahee’s boast. But not every Raider was bothered by the running back’s proclamation. Sapp, no stranger to controversial quotes, let McGahee off the hook. “If you don’t have confidence in yourself, who is going to have confidence in you?” he said, noting McGahee’s long comeback from a knee injury and the Bills’ trade of Travis Henry that cleared the way for McGahee to be the undisputed starter. “Somebody posed the question to him: Who’s the best back in the game? That’s like asking me who the best defensive tackle is. Who do you think? It’s just the way we run things. Is he supposed to say it’s somebody else?”’

‘Mularkey sympathizes with his defensive players, indicating they are their own harshest critics. At the same time, he said, something has to change. "I know they have a lot of pride in themselves, and they’re frustrated too because we’ve recognized the enemy, and we just haven’t been able to do anything about it," he said. "We have to be better, (whether that is) looking at personnel or what we’re doing scheme-wise. I don’t know. We have to do something. We have to stop it."’

Raiders turn it around, trounce Bills (Oakland Tribune)

Bills’ defense proves helpless against Raiders (Oakland Tribune)

Raiders’ defensive backfield hit hard (Oakland Tribune)

It’s a win, and Raiders gladly take it (Oakland Tribune)

Don’t be buffaloed (Oakland Tribune)

Jordan’s right: Give ball to him (Oakland Tribune)

‘Doubtful’ Moss makes key plays (Oakland Tribune)

Raiders find scoring fun (San Francisco Chronicle)

After injuries to starters, young DBs get the job done (San Francisco Chronicle)

Turner turning aggressive (San Francisco Chronicle)

Coach gets the message, Jordan the ball (San Francisco Chronicle)

Living on edge (San Francisco Chronicle)

Game grades (San Francisco Chronicle)

Raiders overcome early woes (Contra Costa Times)

Raiders accentuate positives (Contra Costa Times)

Jordan is not complaining about extra work (Contra Costa Times)

Sack-master Burgess striking fear in QBs (Contra Costa Times)

Report card (Contra Costa Times)

He asks to run, they all receive (San Jose Mercury News)

McGahee falls short of boast (San Jose Mercury News)

Stadium scene (San Jose Mercury News)

Photo Gallery (San Jose Mercury News)

A bittersweet blitzing of Buffalo (Sacramento Bee)

Fill-ins do good defensive job (Sacramento Bee)

Prognosticating internal strife between Turner and his devil after Jordan’s big ground game (Sacramento Bee)

Buffalo tries to pull a fast one (Sacramento Bee)

Instant replay (Sacramento Bee)

Moss plays, Jordan dominates (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

Jordan’s shoulders wide enough to carry Raiders, as promised (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

Pass coverage takes hit as Woodson, Gibson hurt (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

Raiders lose CB Woodson, SS Gibson to injuries (Sportsticker)

Raiders Hammer Bills 38-17 (Raiders.com)

Photo Gallery (Raiders.com)

‘There’s a big difference between a confidence man and a confident man.’

‘I’m sure the brains at One Bills Drive had been devising a way to plug up that middle of the defense all week long after old man river Curtis Martin lit it up last week, but nevertheless, former Jet Jordan was able to go for 122 yards on 28 carries with three, count them three, touchdowns.’

‘But the promising start meant little. Buffalo buckled defensively and allowed Oakland, a team which entered the game ranked 31st in the NFL in rushing, to run at will.’

‘As is usually the case with the Bills, the offensive line was the root of the struggles. It was overmatched by Oakland’s front four that includes massive tackles Ted Washington and Warren Sapp and pass rushing specialist Derrick Burgess, particularly when Chris Villarrial left early in the third quarter with a head injury and Mike Williams hurt his ankle in the first half and hobbled the rest of the game.’

‘But players on .500 teams haven’t exactly earned the right to crow, have they? And in a league in which most teams are about the same, it’s that bulletin board fodder than can make all the difference.’