Archives for September 2008

‘The folks here know the difference between good football and what they saw for 3 1/2 quarters Sunday. In truth, the Bills were sloppy and unintelligent for most of the game before coming together in the final quarter. The Bills are in first place in the AFC East, but they’re kidding themselves if they believe they played like a first-place team.’

‘”Trent Edwards did a good job of finding me downfield,” said Parrish of his touchdown catch. “(It was an) out route. I just made my way into the touchdown, basically. It was a good feeling. I knew we still were down so we had to come up again with a good offensive drive and we did that. And then downfield again with a good field goal. And were 3-0 right now, baby.”‘

‘"I wasn’t thinking that. I don’t even think about that," insisted the 33-year-old Kiffin. "What’s that going to do? I’m going to watch the film on the way home like I always do and see how we can get better. I can’t control the other stuff."’

‘”Everything seemed to come together at the right time,” Smith said.’

‘Passing game: B+: Struggled early against Raiders blitzes and tight coverage, but found itself in the clutch. Edwards threw for 177 yards in fourth quarter.’

‘Dick Jauron may have to take a bit of a hit for the sluggish play for three quarters but the poise and character he instills in this team showed up in time to pull out the win. The gameplans were not as imaginative as they have been. May be getting too fancy on special teams by lining out Lindell and Moorman wide.’

‘The Bills weren’t a very smart team on Sunday and three turnovers, four penalties, three sacks and a critical defensive breakdown had them in a 23-14 hole with 6:23 to play. To coach Dick Jauron’s credit, he, his staff and his players kept their composure and pulled out an important, if not pretty, victory. The Bills, who have missed the playoffs eight consecutive years, sit atop the AFC East at 3-0, proving there is light at the end of every tunnel.’

‘Good teams beat the teams they are supposed to beat, so maybe, just maybe, we have a good team on our hands.’

‘After holding Oakland to a three and out the Bills took possession with 2:29 to go in the game and the ball on their own 34 yard line. Edwards and the offense orchestrated a seven play drive culminating in the Lindell field goal to win the game.’

‘A combination of turnovers very poor field position throughout thanks in part to poor special teams play. Add to that one huge pass play put and they were behind the eight ball but they found a way to win the game. That was more impressive, although more heart stopping, than a blowout win would have been. At least now hopefully they’ll learn not to take weaker opponents likely.’

‘The drive capped a wild fourth quarter when the teams combined for 24 points, the Bills’ struggling offense scoring three times to steal the victory from the upset-minded Raiders (1-2).’

‘Buffalo got the final possession of the game as the team started the drive with the ball at its own 34 with 2:29 left and trailing by two points. Trent Edwards connected on passes of 11 and 16 yards before the two-minute warning to get the ball past midfield. Marshawn Lynch then rushed for 19 yards on the next four carries to set up Lindell’s 38-yard attempt, which he hit true for the win.’

‘For the better part of three quarters Buffalo’s execution was lacking. Dropped passes, fumbles lost, busted assignments and a missed field goal attempt were all part of the Bills performance. Fortunately they snapped out of it with just enough time left on the clock to pull out their second straight come from behind win as a 38-yard field goal from Rian Lindell lifted the Bills to a 24-23 walk off victory and their first 3-0 mark to start the season since 1992.’

‘Edwards engineered three scoring drives in the final quarter, helping the Bills twice overcome 9-point deficits in the last 8 minutes.’

‘"In my heart and in my blood, I bleed red, white and blue," Smith said. "I am humbled and blessed by this honor."’