Archives for October 2006

‘"It’s going good," Peters said of his work with Gandy. "We’ll never know for sure until we get in the game. As far as practice we’re communicating real well. We’re getting our calls down. I’m talking to him and he’s talking back to me so it’s going smooth right now."’

‘Coach Bruce Lasko of Lackawanna High School has been named the Buffalo Bills High School football “Coach of the Week” for the ninth weekend of the 2006 season (October 28-29).’

‘”We know that where we can be and where we at, there’s a difference,” said wide receiver Lee Evans. “We have to get to a level of playing the way we know how to play consistently. That’s the focus right now.”‘

‘”They find us,” said Bills long snapper Mike Schneck, a players’ union rep while with the Pittsburgh Steelers. “They have our numbers. The last day of the year they always write down all of our information: where you’re going to be, e-mail, cell phones, that stuff.”‘

‘Through seven games, Buffalo’s tight ends have combined for 11 catches for 99 yards and one TD. That’s a better pace than a year ago when the output for 16 games was 25 catches for 169 yards and one score. But only a tad better.’

‘Coach Dick Jauron’s encouraging 2-2 start is a distant memory after three consecutive losses to Chicago, Detroit and New England by a combined score of 88-30. All three phases of the team have regressed, and Buffalo is now among the league-leaders in penalties (50) and turnovers (14). After team owner Ralph Wilson fretted over "dumb" mistakes and questioned the player’s effort in a 28-6 loss to New England, it’s hard to dole out a passing grade to a coaching staff that has become ineffective in preparation and planning.’

‘Veteran OG Chris Villarrial, never one to mince words, on Buffalo’s offensive struggles: "It’s like ‘Groundhog Day.’ It’s all we talk about is not killing ourselves, and that’s what we’re doing. The players are frustrated, the fans are frustrated, the coaches are frustrated, it’s just one of those things. It’s not like we’re out there trying to make mistakes, but they just keep on happening. It’s the old analogy, we have to keep working hard and get the job done, no matter what it takes. We have to grow up. That’s where we’re at."’

‘While his helpless, pregnant wife watched in horror, a Woburn man says, he was viciously beaten outside the Buffalo Bills’ football stadium last week by a liquored-up mob of New York fans embittered after the Pats crushed their team.’

‘There’s no doubt the tight end position isn’t the Bills’ only problem on offense, but they should certainly consider finding one with a receiver’s mentality in the offseason – especially if Losman remains on the roster next season. The best free-agent TE available will be the Chiefs’ Tony Gonzalez, but he’s likely a pipe dream for Buffalo. Stranger things have happened, though.’

‘The Green Bay Packers have, statistically at least, the worst pass defense in the NFL. They’ve allowed an average of 270 yards per game, which is by far the worst average, and their overall “d” is 30th. If ever there’s a chance for Losman and the Bills to regain some confidence for what some people think is already a season down the tubes, this game is it.’

‘The Bills’ struggling passing game will get a boost if WR Lee Evans can make a few big plays with his game-breaking speed. It will be Packers CB Al Harris’ job to prevent that from happening. Harris is a big, physical corner with good ball skills. He is good at bump-and-run coverage and breaks on the ball quickly when dropping in a zone.’

‘Former Buffalo Bills lineman Joe Delamielleure, who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, will be the guest speaker at the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Tuesday night at 7 at the University Center Club at Doak Campbell Stadium.’

‘"There’s a difference of where we know we can be, and where we’re at right now," Evans said Monday after the Bills got back to work following their league-mandated week off. "We have to get to a level of playing the way we know how to play."’

‘Ryan Denney, Sam Aiken and Ryan Neufeld did not practice for the Bills Monday, the first day back from the bye week…’.

‘The only problem is how does the coaching staff get him up and dressed on Sundays? Knowing there can only be 45 players dressed, plus the third quarterback, the staff could have some decisions to make. None of the players who handle similar roles to Bowen on defense or special teams have noticeably struggled in terms of performance. It may be hard for Bowen to get on the field or be part of the active roster.’