Archives for December 7, 2006

‘”It’s worrisome, but it’s just part of the deal,” Jauron said. “And if he’s not up, then somebody else will come up and play.”‘

‘In the four games Moorman punted in November his gross punting average was an impressive 46.7 and his net average was an off the charts 42.4 yards.’

‘The Jets offense uses a lot of motion and a form of the no huddle attack to keep opposing defenses off balance, and it worked to perfection against the Packers who had trouble communicating effectively prior to the snap.’

‘So the Bills made a lot of modest deals. Their return? That likewise looks modest.’

‘Fletcher does a lot of work in his hometown of Cleveland. He hosts turkey giveaways for Thanksgiving and a holiday dinner for underprivileged children and their families. He provides children with new bikes and helmets as holiday gifts at the dinner.’

‘McGahee is questionable with a sore left ankle and, after walking around in a protective boot, did not practice yesterday. However, McGahee said he expects to play. Whether he can have the same success is the question. The Jets’ rushing defense, though still ranked 27th in the NFL allowing 136.3 yards per game, has improved the past two weeks in wins over the Packers and the Texans.’

‘It was fairly evident Sunday that Willis McGahee is no LaDainian Tomlinson. LT rumbled for 178 yards and two touchdowns while McGahee had 26 yards and one touchdown. What may also have been evident is that McGahee may not even be someone such as Pittsburgh’s Willie Parker or Dallas’ Julius Jones.’

‘Rookie Keith Ellison and Coy Wire, normally a backup at strong safety, worked at Crowell’s spot on Wednesday. Newly signed free agent Roy Manning, who played 15 games with two starts for Green Bay last season, is another option, but it’s unlikely he would be up to speed in time to face the Jets.’

‘Fletcher participates in a number of charitable endeavors, both in Western New York and his native Cleveland, including the London’s Bridge Foundation, which awards college scholarships to high school seniors.’

‘McGahee, in his third NFL season, already has had a career against the Jets, rushing for 580 yards and two touchdowns against them in five games. He’s rushed for 538 of those yards in the past four meetings, a robust average of 134.5 yards per game. All four of those games were 100-plus-yard performances, meaning four of his 13 career 100-yard games have come against the Jets.’

‘McGahee said having his buddy and Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma on the other side of the line brings out the best in him. And, apparently, a few verbal jabs as well. “To tell you the truth, I don’t even talk to him before we play each other,” McGahee said of his former University of Miami teammate while talking to Buffalo reporters yesterday. “Once we see each other on the field, he makes his little tackles, he goes to running his mouth. Then that’s when it all starts. Saying things like ‘It’s going to be a long game.’ I be like ‘OK.’ That’s when I put my hard hat on and it’s time to go to work.”‘

‘”This is bragging rights,” a playful McGahee told Bills beat reporters yesterday. “I’ve been owning him the past couple of years.”‘

‘On the previous Jets/Bills match-up – We felt like it was missed opportunity because defensively, even though I didn’t play, just looking through the film I understand what the guys went through. We felt like we had some success with some of the things we did on the field, but at the end of the day, you have to give them credit. Third down, I think for them at the time, they were able to convert and make some plays happen in the fourth quarter that filled the win for them.’

‘On McGahee’s injuries slowing him down – He obviously could not play for a few weeks, then he came back and played a strong game. Then last week he slowed down a bit, we didn’t run the ball very well in our recent loss at San Diego, and they played a part; no doubt about it, that are a good football team. We need to a better job in all areas in terms of the run game.’

‘On Buffalo’s momentum – Every division game is always difficult and Buffalo is no different. Buffalo has had some good success against us in my short time here. They’re playing a lot better ball; they played San Diego close, before that they won two-in-a-row and have been on a bit of a role. They have an explosive offense, they’re quarterback is playing well. Defensively, it’s a very fast defense and they really get after the quarterback very well. They are good in the defensive backfield as well, so we’ll just have to be balanced and take advantage of our opportunities.’