Archives for November 10, 2006

‘While Buffalo’s defense in the red zone hasn’t been stellar this season, it is still better than the Indianapolis defense in the same territory. The Colts are giving up touchdowns in the red zone more than 70 percent of the time (70.8%). Only New Orleans allows touchdowns inside the 20-yard line more frequently (71.4%).’

‘Indianapolis 34, Buffalo 17.’

‘Fletcher also isn’t one for self-promotion, which might explain why he’s not even the most recognized Bills linebacker. Top-billing goes to Takeo Spikes, a two-time Pro Bowl selection who has a TV contract promoting a national fast-food chain. "For some reason or another, the national media has ignored me," said Fletcher, a five-time Pro Bowl alternate. "All I have is my stats."’

‘”I guess they say whenever you have an opportunity you have to take advantage of it,” Thomas said in a rare appearance before the media Wednesday. “I never had doubts that I could do it. Some people did, but I didn’t. I believed in myself and I knew when my opportunity came I could go out there and do it. When the opportunity came I just did it.”‘

‘Fletcher has been the Bills’ MVP by a wide margin. Maybe, in his ninth NFL season, he will finally be voted to the Pro Bowl for the first time. It took some prodding, but the ultimate team guy admitted he thinks about it. “I’ve had some disappointments in the past,” Fletcher said Wednesday. “I’d be lying to say I haven’t. I felt there were years when I probably should have made it. But I guess it wasn’t in God’s plan for me to make it those times.”‘

‘Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney has been one of the NFL’s most feared pass rushers, but the former Syracuse star has just a half sack through eight games after recording 51 in his previous four years in the league. The Colts have an NFL-low 11 sacks overall.’

‘On third-down plays from 6 to 9 yards to go, the Bills are just 4 of 29. On third and 10 or more they’re 3 of 27.’

‘”We don’t think there was a lot of violence, but she wanted to press charges,” Shea said. “We’re always in a pro-arrest mode whenever there is a domestic situation. If it escalated and the police didn’t do anything, then we could be criticized.”‘

‘In three victories, Losman has three touchdown passes and no turnovers. “He’s getting a little better every week and that’s all we’re asking from him,” coach Dick Jauron said. “Just keep progressing, keep studying, keep working at it, and he does. He’s really tireless. We all want it to happen yesterday, but as it moves along here, I do believe we’re going to have a real good quarterback.”‘

‘The Colts have three sacks in their past four games. This week would seem to be an opportunity.’

At 8-0, Colts say they can improve (Indianapolis Star)

Sanders is Colts’ hitting machine (Indianapolis Star)

Looking to make a point (Indianapolis Star)

How they match up (Indianapolis Star)

How the Star’s writers see it (Indianapolis Star)

Striving for straight A’s (Fort Wayne News Sentinel)

Humble Harrison the NFL’s class act (Anderson Herald Bulletin)

Colts S Sanders sits out practice but expects to play (AP)

Ready if needed (Colts.com)

A trip to Indy (Colts.com)

Colts chat: Bob Sanders (Colts.com)

‘And while the Bills, who have used seven rookies this season, are on course to miss the playoffs for a seventh consecutive year, Polian said patience is still the mortar that holds the bricks in place. "There are no magic wands and I’m repeating something Marv told me 30 years ago and it’s something I repeated when I got here in 1998," said Polian, whose first Colts team won three games. "You have to build with haste, but you’ve got to build correctly and when you build correctly, it’s usually with young players and they’re going to go through growing pains. Fortunately here, we had an owner with patience and fans with patience and nobody remembers now when Peyton Manning threw 28 interceptions his rookie year. Even as swiftly as we move these days in our business, you still need patience."’

‘For the Bills, that would mean a disappointing record of 3-6. And loss No. 6 will probably be ugly, too. Perhaps even more brutal than a 40-7 whipping at the hands of the 7-1 Chicago Bears in Week 5.’

‘There’s still plenty of work to be done for general manager Marv Levy and the front office. It’s clear the Bills just don’t have the talent to compete with the upper-echelon teams in the league. C-‘

‘The first incident took place Friday night when police were called to Whitner’s apartment in Hamburg. It was alledged by Whitner’s girlfriend – some physical contact took place. On Saturday evening, police were called again to the apartment and the girlfriend did press charges. Whitner was taken into custody and later released on his own. He was charged with harassment – a violation. Whitner was not booked or fingerprinted with the charge.’