Archives for December 8, 2005

‘”Eric Moulds will be a closed subject,” Mularkey said to start a news conference Wednesday at the Bills’ practice facility.’

‘”I look up to Eric,” said third-year pro Sam Aiken, the recipient of most of Moulds’ playing time in Miami and the man who would start against the Patriots. “I can go to his house and ask him a question at any time, and he’s available. I guess things happen for a reason. Whatever the reason is, hopefully it’ll work out for the best.”‘

‘Unless owner Ralph Wilson Jr. already has decided to unload Mularkey and team president Tom Donohoe, he has no choice but to endorse any action against Moulds to preserve some semblance of order in the organization.’

‘The man who once was a straight-shooter now talks in tongues – not quite Gregg Williams, but getting there.’

‘The Bills rank 15th among the 32 NFL teams.’

‘The Bills have allowed only 13 points a game at Ralph Wilson Stadium, and in six home contests have 12 interceptions, 6 fumble recoveries, and 19 sacks. ”I wish I could put my finger on why we’ve played better at home,” Bills coach Mike Mularkey said. ”We’ve played more consistently in all of the games with the exception . . . We lost to Carolina on a last-drive effort by those guys. We’ve just been playing consistently. I don’t know if it’s confidence.’

‘The Bills are 4-8 and reeling, but this is not a game for the Patriots to take lightly. In fact, of their remaining games, this may be the most difficult one for the Patriots to win.’

‘Next stop on the AFC East’s Boulevard of Broken Dreams? Buffalo, where we pick up the self-immolation already in progress.’

‘”That is kind of what I am. I’m from two opposite cultures myself, from my parents. I think everyone’s culture is accepted. It’s pretty cool to grow up like that. You get a little bit of everything.”‘

‘Moulds has had 22 catches and no touchdowns in the seven games started by Losman, 32 catches and three touchdowns in the five games started by Kelly Holcomb. Evans, meanwhile, has had more consistent numbers, with 22 catches and three touchdowns in the seven games with Losman starting and 13 catches and three touchdowns in the five games with Holcomb starting.’

‘The long-range forecast calls for temperatures in the low 30s and snow showers Sunday.’

‘He spent Wednesday at home fielding calls from concerned teammates, who fear the popular Moulds will wind up his illustrious Bills career on the suspended list for essentially doing what many have done – lose his cool in the heat of battle. Moulds is expected to be a salary-cap casualty in March due to his $11 million cap figure. “I would love to play Sunday,” Moulds said. “If it’s the last four games of my career here, I would love to finish those games. Like I said, it’s out my control. The coaching staff … I’ll respect their decision, whatever it is. But I’d like to finish strong and be able to do the things I’ve done in the past. But it’s not up to me.”‘

‘The Bills 21-16 loss in Foxborough on Oct. 30 was the team’s best chance to upset the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Patriots in years, but Buffalo could not hang onto to a 16-7 lead in the fourth quarter. Now New England is healthier and on the doorstep of clinching its fourth AFC East division title in five years. Buffalo has lost three straight and five of six and is looking at a major housecleaning when the season is finished. But a win over the Patriots would be a way to get the rebuilding started ahead of schedule. It won’t be easy coming off last week’s emotional earthquake in Miami but Buffalo’s four wins are at home. The keys are the same as always when the Bills face New England, which has won nine of 10 in the series: Contain QB Tom Brady, stop RB Corey Dillon, play physical with the receivers, run the ball on the Patriots’ 29th-ranked defense. And pray.’

‘The Patriots would like to see WR Eric Moulds not play. He’s topped 100 yards against the two-time defending Super Bowl champs two of his last three games, including a nine-catch, 125-yard performance with a 55-yard touchdown in Buffalo’s 21-16 loss in New England in late October. Is Moulds slowing down? “Yeah right,” coach Bill Belichick said. “We’ve seen too much of him – from the back.”‘

Hawkins quells safety concerns (Boston Globe)

Wrentham man’s deed gets high-five from Brady (Boston Globe)

Coming up Rosey (Boston Globe)

Cause for concern (Boston Globe)

Hawkins tackles new job eagerly (Boston Herald)

Branch will turn a vowel (Boston Herald)

Stealth bomber (Boston Herald)

Passing grades (Boston Herald)

New life for Colvin (Metro West Daily News)

Move is all mental (Metro West Daily News)

Bills are roaming around aimlessly (Providence Journal)

Buffalo is a winner on defense at home (Providence Journal)

Losman follows his own path (Springfield Republican)

Moulds may sit out game (Springfield Republican)

Visiting Buffalo Never Pleasant (Hartford Courant)

Hobbs filling in nicely (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Givens sick of being hurt (New Bedford Standard Times)

Hawkins on safety patrol for Patriots (Brockton Enterprise)

Hawkins filling in admirably (Nashua Telegraph)

Loud enough for you? (Nashua Telegraph)

Getting in not enough for Patriots (Lowell Sun)

Losman has long way to go to equal Brady’s stature (Quincy Patriot Ledger)

Bills very aware of Faulk’s work (Quincy Patriot Ledger)

Playoff berth in sight despite rocky season (AP)

Inside slant (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy and personnel (The Sports Xchange)

Notes, quotes (The Sports Xchange)

Dillon and Faulk back in the saddle (Patriots.com)

Patriots, Bills release injury reports (Patriots.com)

Belichick Press Conference (Patriots.com)

Tom Brady Locker Room Interview (Patriots.com)

J.P. Losman Conference Call (Patriots.com)

Head Coach Mike Mularkey Conference Call (Patriots.com)