Archives for December 28, 2005

‘"It felt great," said McGee. "I thought I was going to go the entire year without returning one so to get one in the end zone felt real good."’

‘Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter and Buffalo Bills returner Terrence McGee were honored as the AFC’s top players for Week 16 of the NFL season.’

‘”Just because the management and coaching is awful, where do they get off violating our First Amendment right to freedom of speech?” Allenbaugh wrote. “From now on, if you go to a sporting event, sit in your seat and don’t make a noise until the front office says you can.”‘

‘By no means am I degrading the Bills’ draft or saying that none of these guys will ever be solid players in the NFL. For all I know, they could all turn into Hall-of-Famers and Donahoe could look like a genius. The only thing I’m belittling the Bills for is the fact that none of these six men have had any impact on the 2005 season. What if one or two had turned into impact rookies? Maybe the Bills’ 5-10 mark would currently sit at a respectable 7-8, or better.’

‘The Bills, who return to practice today, will have between the sixth and 14th picks overall in the 2006 draft. They are the 20th-ranked team in the NFL through the first 15 games. If the season ended today, they would have the 12th pick in the draft based on record and tiebreakers.’

When the schedule came out back in April this game looked like it could be played with a playoff spot on the line for one or both teams. It didn’t work out that way. The Bills have had a very disappointing 5-10 seasons where they have made many mental mistakes along the way and folded when the games got tough.

‘The Buffalo Bills headed into the 2004 season finale needing a victory to stay alive in the AFC playoff chase. The 9-6 Bills were one of the hottest teams in the NFL…’.

‘Even if management decides to start from scratch, Losman is as likely to be Joey Harrington as Steve McNair. For a team that has not made the playoffs this century, the prospect of rebuilding with an uncertain quarterback situation is very troubling. If Losman fails to develop over the next two seasons, fans will not only remember fondly the disappointing Drew Bledsoe years, they may start calling for a return of Rob Johnson. If Buffalo can develop an above-average defense and maintain its dominant special teams, going with Kelly Holcomb allows them a chance to be competitive, and when Losman proves himself in practice, they can make the transition to the younger player.’

‘The game itself was an added bonus, a chance for the home team to demonstrate its prowess against an inferior opponent. Instead, the struggling Buffalo Bills rode into town and downed Cincy, 37-27, sending the perennially tortured fan base home with doubt rather than assurance.’