Archives for October 23, 2008

‘Dolphins 24, Bills 21.’

‘”Just the way I look on my face. Sometimes people think I’m real serious or angry all the time.”‘

‘Getting consistent pressure has been a key in Buffalo’s success against Pennington. In eight games they’ve sacked him 17 times and forced seven fumbles. Pennington has a total of nine turnovers in eight career games against the Bills, numbers that certainly run counter to his career statistics.’

‘Specifically, Duke Preston’s emergency reign at center achieved the improbable, namely make fans miss Melvin Fowler. It’s important to appreciate that stepping in at center, a spot where one must make blocking calls before snapping the ball while simultaneously preparing to deal with a defensive tackle, is an incredibly difficult football job, and it’s more of a reason than an excuse for what was a wobbly demonstration.’

‘”Basically it’s an option offense, kind of like teams run in college,” Bills defensive end Ryan Denney said. “If someone bites into the fake, that’s where you get burned. The whole success of our defense depends on us being gap-responsible and playing our assignment.”‘

‘”Yeah, we’re not pleased with where it’s at right now,” Kugler said Wednesday. “We need to be more efficient. But these guys know what needs to be done. They’re working hard at it, and that’s really all you can ask of them.”‘

‘Scott essentially replaces Ko Simpson in the lineup.’

‘"There’s a sign over the door of a submarine and it says ‘One wrong, all wrong,’ and that’s kind of how returns are," April said. "You can have a lot of guys doing a hell of a job and one guy messes up and his guy makes the play."’

‘"It just gives me an opportunity to make a play on some of those balls and some of those receivers coming across the middle," he said. "Just being physical and that’s what I like to do, and helping the corners getting lined up. Ko was out there today and Bryan and George. We have a variation of guys we can put out on the field."’

‘”Every single guy on that team, when you ask them the difference between this year and last, will tell you it’s Trent Edwards,” CBS analyst and former Bills player Steve Tasker said. “He’s not a guy who’s the center of attention when their offense is on the field. But when the game is over and they’ve won, you think back and realize he was the reason.”‘

Miami Dolphins begin to regain focus, intensity (Miami Herald)

Oblique injury could put Miami Dolphins’ Jason Ferguson on sideline (Miami Herald)

Dolphins’ Patrick Cobbs catching on after long journey (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

NT Soliai eager to redeem himself (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Dolphins Q&A with Harvey Fialkov (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Poised QB Trent Edwards racks up wins for Bills (Palm Beach Post)

Fresh Fish (Palm Beach Post)

Dolphins’ Jason Ferguson practices, but only on sideline (Palm Beach Post)

Running game could help Dolphins beat Bills (Florida Today)

Ferguson misses practice (Florida Today)

Nothing gluttonous about Long’s diet (AP)

Inside slant (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy and personnel (The Sports Xchange)

Notes, quotes (The Sports Xchange)

Practice Makes Perfect; Injury Update; Handing Over The Key; Other Notes (MiamiDolphins.com)

Miami Dolphins Post-Practice Press Briefing Transcripts (MiamiDolphins.com)

‘The point is, relating to this year’s Bills’ team, it isn’t about spending big money on free agents or contracts that outlive a player’s productive years. The Bills received criticism in many circles for walking away from players like Pat Williams, Jonas Jennings, Nate Clements and others, but spending the money to keep them would have prevented the Bills from being in the position they are now in. They are contenders with a young nucleus of corps players, which is the position ALL teams in pro sports WANT to be in.’

‘The third-year linebacker had 113 tackles, two sacks, and an interception in 16 games — 14 starts — for the Bills in 2007. DiGiorgio, who joined the club in 2006 as an undrafted free agent out of Saginaw Valley State, had three tackles this season in six games.’

‘”This is what it is all about,” linebacker Paul Posluszny said. “You have to be able to win in your division and this is our first opportunity for that, so we are excited, especially playing against Miami. They are always a tough team for us, so it is always fun to start your division games.”‘

‘Buffalo has prepared for Miami’s “Wildcat” offense in which RB Ronnie Brown takes a direct snap from center and comes steamrolling through. Taking a page from Baltimore, which used its speed to effectively disrupt Miami’s flow, Buffalo needs to attack the Dolphins’ line and get in the backfield consistently. In Brown, Chad Pennington and Ricky Williams, Miami has playmakers that need to be respected. Defensively, the Bills catch a break if star veteran Miami NT Jason Ferguson (ribs) can’t play. The Dolphins will be vulnerable against the run because nobody on their roster can play the nose in the 3-4 like he can. The Ravens’ Willis McGahee had 105 yards rushing last week. Limiting turnovers is always a key to victory but particularly so in this rivalry, where the team that won the giveaway/takeaway battle has emerged victorious in 21 of the last 26 contests.’