Archives for September 2008

‘Coordinators Turk Schonert and Perry Fewell each served notice they will take a more aggressive approach to their play calling this season and it should be fun. Each mixed a nice blend of new wrinkles. Meanwhile, just when you think special teams guru Bobby April’s units can’t get better, they do. Overall, Dick Jauron had his team well prepared for their fast start. The Bills committed just one penalty.’

‘Parrish’s return was more about an electric returner scaring the bejeezus out of would-be tacklers than a group of kindergartners feebly chasing a hamster after someone forgot to latch the cage.’

‘What that means for McCargo’s career with the Bills remains to be seen, but it’s certainly not a positive development. Coupled with the performance of those in front of him, the Bills may not be in a rush to get McCargo on the field.’

‘”When I return a punt I just try to have fun and trust the guys in front of me and know they’re going to do a good job blocking,” Parrish said. “You’ve just got to have that swagger back there.”‘

‘With the amount of respect and praise April receives from his players, it is sometimes a wonder how his name isn’t mentioned for a head coaching vacancy each year. For those keeping track at home, Jauron’s contract expires at the end of this season.’

‘”Nothing is better than to open with season with a win and get the ball moving in the right direction,” Bills defensive end Chris Kelsay said. “We’re not really used to it around here. Hopefully that is going to change.”‘

‘Bingo. Bango. And, presto, the Bills are 1-0 and, who knows, they might be on their way to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. At least, that was the murmur among those in the sellout crowd of 71,194 who sat through an afternoon of cool rain. It was football weather of the sort that can be blocked out at the team’s alternate home up the QEW at the Rogers Centre.’

‘”I saw his presence,” Buffalo safety Donte Whitner said. “You look at a guy like that and you can see it. There were so many plays today where he was playing in their backfield. And he got two sacks. The key to every defence is to have run-stopping defensive tackles. Now, teams have to pay attention to Marcus because he’s pushing the pocket so well and playing the run so well.”‘

‘And they know that a large part of their lives, a large part of their personal history, of their identity and of what makes this place home, is tied up in the football team, tied up in the ritual of game day, tied up in the tailgating, the barbecues and the beer, tied up in the memories of great teams and not so great teams past and tied up in the hope that just maybe, on the field, the good times are coming back.’

‘”This is not an ‘I-told-you-so’ game,” the Buffalo Bills safety said. “This is what we expect ourselves to do.”‘

Hawks open Holmgren’s last season with discouraging loss to Bills (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

Hasselbeck’s back pains aren’t from bulging disc (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

Seahawks embarrassed by Bills’ special teams play (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

Burleson keeps his hopes up (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

Hawks’ play simply inexcusable (Seattle Post Intelligencer)

Special teams sink Seahawks 34-10 in opener (Seattle Times)

Seahawks have a long way to go before they’re good (Seattle Times)

Matt Hasselbeck is carrying a heavy load on his balky back (Seattle Times)

Buffalo Bills show off their skills on special teams (Seattle Times)

Run game stalls early (Seattle Times)

Seahawks two-minute drill (Seattle Times)

Photo gallery (Seattle Times)

Nothing special for Hawks as kicking teams flounder (Tacoma News Tribune)

Good teams don’t always get seasons off to good start (Tacoma News Tribune)

Answers? Good question (Tacoma News Tribune)

Holmgren seeking Hawks who can return punts (Tacoma News Tribune)

Receiving corps looks bad, gets worse (Tacoma News Tribune)

Seahawks run over in Buffalo (Everett Herald)

Nate Burleson injury not as bad as first feared (Everett Herald)

Hasselbeck says he’s healthy (Everett Herald)

Plenty of questions for special teams (Everett Herald)

Photo gallery (Buffalo News)

Photo gallery (Niagara Gazette)

Photo gallery (BuffaloBills.com)

Seahawks Fall to Bills in Season Opener (Seahawks.com)

Photo gallery (Seahawks.com)

‘Trent Edwards overcame a slow start to have a solid game. He finished 19 of 30 for 215 yards and hit Robert Royal for a touchdown. He was hitting passes downfield on occassion and had good control of the team. Grade B+: Nice way to start the season.

‘Buffalo Bills fans of all ages gathered at Ralph Wilson Stadium before Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks to lend a helping hand to fellow members of the Buffalo community, donating a record $218,000 at the eleventh annual Fan Food Drive to benefit the Food Bank of Western New York.’

‘”When I’m 250 pounds, it doesn’t work like that,” Royal said. “I don’t have that Josh Reed, Lee Evans or Roscoe Parrish (speed). I should have gotten out of bounds. The second time…no matter what happened in the yardage situation, I just wanted to get the ball out of bounds.”‘

‘The Bills knew how important it was to start the season fast and they sure did thanks to solid special teams and just enough plays offensively. That goes along with a hungry defense that suffociated the Seahawks offense and you get a big Bills win over a quality opponent in impressive fashion.’