Archives for December 17, 2006

‘The weather was a factor, not the cold but the wind and the rain. It was a warm weather game for the folks from South Florida but Joey Harrington did not know how to deal with the swirling winds while Losman seemed to master them at the right times getting some big plays.’

‘Lee Evans, Robert Royal and Josh Reed all caught touchdown passes for the Bills (7-7), who have won two straight and five of their last seven games overall.’

‘Miami continued to struggle offensively as they battled poor field position and a completely impotent passing game.’

‘The Bills defense was solid, forcing two interceptions while limiting the Dolphins to 118 yards through three quarters and 212 overall. It was Buffalo’s first shutout since a 2003 season-opening 31-0 win over New England, and first against the Dolphins since a 29-0 win in November 1987.’

‘McGahee had been knocked woozy and lost a fumble after being leveled by a helmet-to-helmet hit by linebacker Zach Thomas on the Bills’ first possession.’

‘”It’s definitely loser go home in terms of the playoffs,” said Bills receiver Lee Evans. “To give ourselves a chance we definitely have to win out starting with this game. It will be a high-intensity game.”‘

‘Buffalo, 20-16.’

‘”I guess I am surprised a little bit because of the new position he’s playing,” Bills offensive line coach Jim McNally said. “But he just works like crazy on his techniques. He’s a gifted athlete and he just kind of figures it out. Every day and every week he gets better.”‘

‘Without Hunt there would have been no Buffalo Bills, no New England Patriots, no Miami Dolphins, no Raider Nation and, for that matter, no Dallas Cowboys either.’

‘If there’s any justice, ex-Bill Pat Williams will make his first Pro Bowl this year. If it doesn’t happen this year, it may never happen, since Williams is 34.’

‘”Playoff-wise, it’s win or go home,” wide receiver Lee Evans said. “That’s what the rest of the season boils down to. To give us a chance, we’re definitely going to have to win out. Starting with this game right here, I think both teams are in the same situation. Both teams are fighting and it will be a high intensity game.”‘

‘Of all the units that will be on display, the best – by a wide margin – is Miami’s defense. It ranks No. 2 in yards allowed, No. 1 in fewest yards per play, third in sacks and fifth in points allowed. The Dolphins have given up only 34 plays of at least 20 yards, the lowest total in the league, and Bills coach Dick Jauron said his offense – which has shown signs of life in the second half of the season – has a huge task on its hands.’

‘People would be surprised if they knew what about you? “That I’m 5-foot-8 and I won the slam dunk contest at Wisconsin when I was a sophomore.’

‘As a result, both Buffalo and Miami are mathematically alive for a wild-card playoff berth, though the odds are infinitesimal. Ahead of them for those two post-season spots are Jacksonville and Cincinnati (both 8-5), the Jets, Kansas City and Denver (7-6) plus Tennessee and Pittsburgh, which have the same record.’

‘”We did (use audio from the video) in Cleveland, which was 100 years ago when I was a defensive coordinator (1991-94),” he said. “I think every team in the league does it. Our players were all laughing today. (Defensive end) Kevin Carter said, ‘Hey, we did that in St. Louis eight years ago.”