Archives for September 11, 2008

‘Jaguars 24, Bills 17.’

‘The environment could be one of the toughest the Bills will face this season. The Jaguars are 5-1 at home in September the last four years, taking advantage of still-sweltering summer heat and humidity that saps energy and leaves opponents sucking down fluids, gasping for air and trying to find a seat in the shade or in front of one of those oversized sideline cooling fans. Forecasts call for it to be sunny, with a high of 93 degrees and 64 percent humidity – exactly what the Jaguars want against a team from the northeast.’

‘What sets Parrish apart is how fearless he is to run in traffic for someone listed at 5-foot-9 and 171 pounds.’

‘Coach Dick Jauron said Peters looked good in practice, but added he’ll likely wait until Saturday before determining whether to add the player to the active roster. Peters took part in only his second full team practice since ending an offseason-long holdout last weekend.’

‘Buffalo has until 4pm on Saturday to activate Peters to the 53-man roster. The Bills were granted a two game roster exemption by the league after Peters reported to the club last Saturday.’

‘Roscoe Parrish got the last Jaguars special teams coach fired. Joe DeCamillis will take his shot at the Buffalo return man this Sunday.’

‘"I just don’t want it to seem like I’m stressing for one game," he said. Fair enough, but can you blame him if he were? I mean, this is someone who, at one time, was regarded as one of the top defensive tackles in the game. Then he got hurt, his play tailed off, he underwent ankle surgery, he was suspended for violating the league’s steroids policy and he finished last season in the discard pile.’

‘Because Flutie, who won the Heisman Trophy as quarterback at Boston College, became an immediate hero and cult figure with the Bills fans after playing eight years in the Canadian Football League, the cereal was an instant big seller. "We sold a million boxes in no time, and wound up selling about 3 million. I was playing for the Bills, and the cereal promoted itself."’

‘”We’re going to have to do this week what we feel is best for the o-line and best for the offense,” said Jaguars quarterback David Garrard. “We’re not going to overload those guys, but we still want to have a lot of our offense in too. We have to give them the ability to go out and play fast. We don’t want to overwhelm them mentally.”‘

‘"Fred Lass, CBS6’s Chief Engineer and huge Bills fan, who was born and raised in Niagara Falls, was in my office late yesterday crying. I and CBS cannot stand to see a grown man cry. So, CBS6 is going to carry the Bills game on Sunday 9/14 instead of the Indianapolis game. Please thank CBS for agreeing to make this last-minute change, and if you see Fred on Sunday, high-five him."’

‘Seattle’s exhausted defenders did get a break from Lynch, but it was only after they may as well have surrendered; he took his final snap with 13:50 left in the fourth on a drive that began the previous quarter. The capable Fred Jackson took every carry from then on, as the starter earned himself virtually a full stanza off. Winning early means getting to play spectator late in games, which is not only fun in itself for the Cal product but also good for a team that needs him to stay intact.’

‘So the Jaguars’ trade of Stroud to Buffalo in March for two draft choices (a third and a fifth) was a clear message. They believed his best days were behind him and that he would not regain his old form.’

‘”Russ has told me that,” Evans said. “He’s been telling me, ‘We’re going to do everything we can to make the situation work. That’s coming straight from him to me. Russ is a stand-up guy.”‘

‘”I’m going to be mentally ready,” Peters said. “It’s [about] getting back into football shape. I haven’t put the pads on since the Giants game [last Dec. 23].”‘

‘"They’re not going to lay down and think the season is over because Brady is not there. They’ll find ways to win."’