Archives for December 2006

‘Coming off a 2004 season in which he gained 1,128 yards and scored 13 touchdowns in just 11 starts, McGahee seemed poised to become one of the NFL’s premier ball carriers for years to come. But since midway through last season, he has failed to live up to elite status and has topped 100 yards just three times in his last 20 games. This year, his yards-per-carry average has dipped to a career-worst 3.7 and with 668 yards overall, he ranks 25th overall. Meanwhile, Travis Henry, the man whose job he took with the Bills, has resurrected his career with the Tennessee Titans. He has gained 849 yards on just 10 more rushing attempts for a 4.4 average and has scored one more touchdown (5 to 4).’

‘The Bills need to dust off the game plan they used in their 28-20 loss to the Jets in Week 3 and eliminate the part where they committed three turnovers, one the Jets scored on. Buffalo had a season-high 475 yards in offense that game but the opportunistic Jets found a way to win, which has been the story of their season under rookie coach Eric Mangini.’

‘Fletcher said he has no clue why Buffalo can’t come up with big defensive stops late. “I wish I did have the answer, because it’s very frustrating,” he said. “We play so well at different stretches, but we can’t finish things off. You can’t do that if you want to be a great defense.”‘

‘Thus, even if backup Anthony Thomas has to carry the load for the Bills’ offense, they should still be OK. There will be a slight drop-off, but it won’t be of great magnitude. Both times Thomas has gotten at least 20 carries in a game this season, he’s ripped off over 90 yards. Having McGahee this weekend will increase Buffalo’s chances of winning in the Meadowlands, but it won’t be the end of the world if he’s out.’

‘Besides the inconvenience that comes with altering starting times less than two weeks in advance, the Bills also draw fans from a wide region, making it difficult for some to change travel plans.’

‘”We spoke to CBS today and told them we did not believe the shift to a later start time was in the fans’ best interest,” a League spokesman said. “We regret the inconvenience that we may have caused fans who are planning to attend the game or watch on television that day.”‘

‘Coach Dick Jauron was upbeat in saying there’s a "good chance" the two starters could play after both hurt their left ankles in a 24-21 loss to San Diego last weekend. "We’ll just have to see where the week takes us in that regard," Jauron said.’

‘"Me and Jonathan Vilma got a nice little history going so I’ve got to keep the streak going," McGahee said.’

‘Buffalo Bills linebacker London Fletcher-Baker has been named the 2006 Buffalo Bills Walter Payton Man of the Year as voted on by selected members of the Western New York community. This is the second consecutive year that Fletcher-Baker has won the award.’

‘"We’re just not there yet," linebacker London Fletcher said. "We don’t make enough plays to beat the elite teams. We haven’t done that yet. Today was an example."’

‘But you know what? Even if the Bills finish another 5-11 season, assuming they’re at least competitive over the final four games, I see them as improving. Heading in the right direction.’

‘Bills 20, Jets 17.’

‘”Even when I was playing strong safety, I felt like I had a linebacker mentality,” said Wire, who led Stanford in tackles his last two years there. “I’ve always been an aggressive, attacking style of player. That’s just my natural instinct going back to my wrestling days. Even going back to college, I always loved playing linebacker.”‘

‘”This is just a great thing to have Steve Tasker come back. It was nice two years ago when Marv Levy was here, I think it’s wonderful for the community because as we all remember the Bills practiced here for almost 20 years,” said Rick Donovan, Book Nook owner. “The public at large is thrilled that he has come back to sign the book. I read the book and it’s wonderful. … It has stories about anything you could remember from those Super Bowl years. Think of any player or any event, Thurman (Thomas) losing his helmet – there is a story about that. Anyone can pick it up and read it who obviously has some interest in the Bills.”‘

‘Every regular-season Dolphins-Bills game in Buffalo since 1991 has started at 1 p.m. With a later kickoff, temperatures could drop significantly as the game unfolds.’