Archives for November 6, 2006

‘”Obviously, [McGahee’s rib injury] was bad enough and sore enough that he could not finish,” Bills coach Dick Jauron said. “Josh has a kidney bruise. [The team doctors] are going to look long and hard at that one. We’re just going to have to see how quickly either one of them can come back.”‘

‘”We had our chances, that goes without saying,” said Favre, the future Hall of Famer who passed for 287 yards and threw his 407th career TD pass to Driver in the third quarter that pulled the Packers within 10-7. “Guys from that distance are not going to be wide open and he was covered on that one just as he was on the previous touchdown. That was a good play on their part. The ball didn’t bounce our way on that particular play. But I don’t second-guess the decision from a play-calling standpoint or where I threw the ball.”‘

‘There is no doubt the Buffalo running back and former controversial first-round draft choice of Tom Donahoe is one of the most popular Bills of recent vintage. But I’ve been of the opinion for quite a while now that McGahee might be one of the most overrated Bills as well.’

‘But how do you explain Green Bay turning the ball over four times, twice inside the Bills’ 5-yard line, once when the center snap bounced off Favre’s facemask?’

‘Despite all the success Favre has enjoyed – the 400-plus touchdown tosses, the three MVP awards, the Super Bowl victory – the losses still gnaw at him. This was a game the Packers definitely could have won had the future Hall of Famer not been so careless with the football; a game that probably had him second-guessing his decision not to retire to his huge tract of land in Mississippi.’

‘Buffalo’s offense is terrible. It’s one thing to look clueless against powerhouses like Chicago and New England, but to play the way the Bills did against Green Bay’s 30th-ranked defense (No. 32 against the pass) was further cause for big-time concern.’

‘The Bills won despite being dominated in every statistical category except the ones that matter most: turnovers and points. The bye-rested Bills showed a lot more passion and collected a season-high four turnovers while not turning the ball over. It was the difference against the still-dangerous Favre, who was kicking himself after two turnovers inside the Buffalo 5-yard line.’

‘Sunday’s win lets you sleep easier, Bills fans, but it shouldn’t. Despite Losman’s comments, confidence and comfort are waning at One Bills Drive, and a lucky win over a mediocre team shouldn’t change that.’

‘While the offense sputtered for long stretches Sunday, Thomas still put up good numbers, finishing with 20 carries for 95 yards and a late touchdown that sealed the win. All that from a player who was thought to be in danger of not making the team. Thomas and Lionel Gates were in a heated battle throughout training camp to be McGahee’s backup.’

‘The Bills linebacker picked off Green Bay legend Brett Favre on the second play of the second quarter, then returned the interception 17 yards for a touchdown. It was Fletcher’s second touchdown of the year after entering the season with no career scores. Fletcher did more than just come up with one big play, though, as the nine-year veteran led the Bills with 14 tackles and an impressive five passes defensed.’

‘The revamped unit gave up five sacks, but also had a decent day in the run-blocking game. Anthony Thomas ran for 95 yards and a touchdown in replace of the injured Willis McGahee, who ran for 15 yards on four carries before being hurt in the first quarter.’

‘See photos of the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Green Bay Packers by Staff Photographer Doug Benz.’

‘The realist takes the win for what it is. The realist sees this as a lonely beacon until Buffalo starts stringing a few more of these things together.’

‘Favre’s counterpart, J.P. Losman, was even less impressive statistically, throwing for only 102 yards and getting sacked five times — three of those courtesy of defensive tackle Corey Williams. But Losman did not turn the ball over, and showed resilience in throwing for the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. With eight minutes remaining and the score knotted at 10, Losman found a wide-open Lee Evans and, while absorbing a hard hit from the Packers Aaron Kampman, threw to his receiver for a 43-yard touchdown.’

‘Says Anderson: "The nice thing about this gig is I got an entire tray of mozzarellas and pepperonis back there. A lot of people are surprised they actually see me in here doing something, that I’m actually in here working and putting my own two cents in."’