Archives for December 11, 2006

‘Miami comes to Orchard Park next week with a matching 6-7 record and equally far-fetched playoff possibilities. But given the strides the Bills have taken over the past six weeks, as well as a shot at the franchise’s second winning record since 1999, this renewal of the long-running rivalry will be far from meaningless.’

‘"It’s tough for people to adjust their schedules and the fact it’s an earlier time slot, the original time, makes it easier on fans so we view that as a positive,” Bills vice president of communications Scott Berchtold said. "Just as important is being in the playoff picture. We’ve played exciting football lately and we’re hoping that excitement transcends to the ticket office, especially when talking about one of our biggest rivals, the Dolphins.”’

‘The Bills scored three touchdowns on plays of 50-plus yards. It marked the third time in franchise history that a game featured a touchdown run and touchdown pass of 50-plus yards, and the first time since 1965.’

‘Now the next part of that big test comes this week against a Miami team that shutout the Patriots 21-nothing this week. The showdown against their arch rival will show us even more than the win over the Jets. The Miami defense is now playing as well as any D- in the league. If progress is defined by wins and losses the Bills are now one win better than their 5-win total of last year. I am curious to see if the latest win motivates some ticket sales, and the Bills can get a sellout, and avoid their third straight television blackout.’

‘"I surprised myself a little," said McGahee of his burst through the line. "But the offensive line did a great job blocking. (The hole) was there and I had to hit it regardless of the pain. I had to suck it up. I wanted to be out there with my teammates."’

‘"It’s big," said Evans, whose 1,016 yards tops his personal high of 843 in 2004. "You never know how things are going to work out. To get your first 1,000-yard season, it certainly means a lot."’

‘The Bills entered the game ranked last in the NFL in “big-play passes” – those of 25 yards or more. They were seventh from the bottom in “big-play rushes” – those of 10 yards or more. Yet the Bills’ offensive coaches dialed up the right calls at just the right time to beat a Jets defense that had given up only four touchdowns in the last four games.’

‘McGahee left everything he had on the Giants Stadium field – and a little something on the sidelines, too. After the long TD run, he threw up near the Bills’ bench. He sat out the rest of the first half. He spent part of that time sitting on the bench without his jersey and shoulder pads, eating a ham and cheese sandwich.’

‘”I just think some guys stepped up and assumed some responsibility today,” said Bills defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. “We talked this week about “Hey, let’s try to play our best football in the month of December. Let’s get back to basics and do the things we want to do in the next four weeks.’ I think the kids responded well.”‘

‘For all of you NFL culinary buffs, McGahee had a ham sandwich. It actually was ham and cheese, he noted, but he removed most of the cheese. "Quiznos, if you’re listening, I’d like a little sponsorship from you guys," he said with a smile.’

‘”I think it was our most rounded game, definitely,” said quarterback J.P. Losman, who threw a game-turning 77-yard touchdown pass to Lee Evans in the second quarter that gave Buffalo the lead for good. “We knew they wanted it bad and they were going to come after us with all that they had.”‘

‘In fact, games like Sunday’s can make you believe that if the Bills stay the course they are on, with another offseason of tinkering, they could ascend rather quickly into the nine- and 10-win category of NFL wild-card contenders.’

‘”We talked about ‘let’s try to play our best football in the month of December; let’s get back to the basics,'” Fewell said. “I think the kids responded well.” You could say that.’

‘Another encouraging note for Buffalo fans: The Bills reportedly will have the second-most projected room under the salary cap in 2007. The salary cap is expected to increase to $109 million per team (up from $102 million in 2006) and Alex Marvez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that Buffalo’s projected cap room of $39.7 million ranks behind only San Francisco’s $42.1 million.’

‘At one point in the second quarter after linebacker Takeo Spikes exited the game with an ankle injury, the Bills were without four starters. Linebacker Angelo Crowell went on injured reserve earlier in the week with a broken leg and defensive backs Terrence McGee (ankle) and Donte Whitner (hamstring) were inactive. Despite the talent drain, the Bills held the Jets to two field goals over the final three quarters and scored once, earning fill-ins Kiwaukee Thomas, Jim Leonhard, Keith Ellison, Coy Wire, Mario Haggan and rookie Ashton Youboty, who appeared in his first NFL game, a well-deserved pat on the back.’