Archives for December 2006

‘So why isn’t he still here playing like that? Ask Tom Donahoe.’

‘Buffalo weather, which the Bills take so much pride in, actually may have cost them the game. The wind was a major factor all day as it blew hard from the scoreboard toward the tunnel. Neither team scored a point driving into the wind in the second half. The Bills had a great chance to put the game almost out of reach with the wind at their backs in the third quarter, but produced only 10 points despite running 17 of their 19 offensive plays in Tennessee territory. Then, at the end, they were clearly within Rian Lindell’s normal range for a winning field goal, but they couldn’t attempt a 45-yarder because he wouldn’t have gotten it within five yards of the crossbar.’

‘Coaching: Dick Jauron’s decision to attempt a fourth-and-one in the first quarter paid dividends, but things unraveled fast. Eschewing a two-point conversion after Evans’ TD gave Buffalo a 25-20 lead came back to haunt the team. Coordinator Steve Fairchild’s fourth-quarter play-calling into the wind was atrocious, as was the club’s 1 of 4 effort in goal-to-goal situations. Settling for field goals caught up with the Bills, thus ending their two-month high of chasing the playoffs. Bah, humbug. D+’

‘Once he strapped on the cleats and powder blue jersey, Henry was a wrecking machine, giving his former teammates fits with a combination of quick steps and potent stiff arms. It only took a few plays for Bills fans to remember why the team struggled to knock him from the lineup, even when Willis McGahee was anointed the next starter. Travis is tough. And December in Buffalo demands every ounce of toughness a man can muster.’

‘Had Buffalo defeated Tennessee, Bills fans would have found themselves in the odd position of rooting for Miami tonight, because a Dolphins win over the Jets would’ve put the Bills in control of their own playoff destiny next week. That prospective win-and-in scenario was further aided Sunday by Baltimore’s win over Pittsburgh and Houston’s upset of Indianapolis. Those outcomes clinched the a first round bye for the Ravens, who now will likely rest their impact players against the Bills next week.’

‘Fourth quarter…The Good: Skip ahead. This quarter belonged to the Titans as Buffalo did little to keep its playoff dream alive.’

‘There was some discussion on the sideline before the decision, of course. “I wanted to ask Rian and look in his eyes, because it was outside his range,” Jauron said. “There was no confusion on the play. It was just making a decision and then getting it to everybody. There was a lot of noise going on, but we had time. We got the play called that we wanted and got the ball snapped.”‘

It’s a holiday rush (Nashville Tennessean)

WRs step up when needed (Nashville Tennessean)

Titans’ composure pays off in final drive (Nashville Tennessean)

Buffalo’s gusts blowing in Titans’ direction (Nashville Tennessean)

Bills: No shot at FG (Nashville Tennessean)

Henry can fly without plane after beating Bills (Nashville Tennessean)

Photo gallery (Nashville Tennessean)

Titans Get Win Over Bills On Christmas Eve (TitansRadio.com)

B. Jones Has Career Day Against Bills (TitansRadio.com)

Henry’s Return Ends With Career Mark (TitansRadio.com)

Playoff Scenarios Still Possible, Yet Foggy (TitansRadio.com)

Titans Overcome Season High Penalties (TitansRadio.com)

‘Trailing by a point, Buffalo had the ball fourth and two at the Titans 28 yard field goal, but elected not to gop for the game winning field goal. Coach Dick Jauron belived Rian Lindell couldn’t make a 45 yarder against a stiff wind. JP Losman’s despereation pass attempt was intercpeted.’

‘Now, on Christmas Day, the Bills are 7-8. Undoubtedly, anyone who complains about a mark like that was expecting too much from this team entering the season. Head coach Dick Jauron, despite some questionable decisions Sunday, has done a fine job in his inaugural campaign with the Bills. They managed to find a franchise quarterback and develop young players on both sides of the ball, too. Ultimately, their defense just wasn’t playoff-caliber.’

‘With :41left, the Bills had great field position on the Tennessee 28 to put them in great field goal range for Lindell. The Bills decided to go for it as Losman threw an interception to Reynaldo Hill to end the Bills hopes for a win.’

‘The move to not kick a field goal on 4th down in the final minute was also right, he wasn’t going to hit it.’

‘Rian Lindell – Continued the best kicking season in Bills history, it would have been great if he had one more chance at it.’

‘Facing fourth-and-5 at the Titans 28, J.P. Losman scrambled out of trouble and threw a desperation pass that was intercepted by Reynaldo Hill at the goal line. The Bills elected against a field goal, as they were driving into a wind that was gusting up to 20 mph.’

‘Travis Henry rushed 25 times for 135 yards and Brandon Jones caught five passes for 101 yards and a touchdown for the Titans (8-7), who have won six straight and eight of the last 10 after an 0-5 start.’