Archives for October 2008

‘If the Bills are truly to emerge as a contender in the wide-open AFC, it will be reflected in the way they use their bye week and how they respond.’

‘Diagnosis: concussion. Which might also describe the Bills’ collective state. They went on to be thoroughly whipped, 41-17.’

‘The Bills were committed to not giving up the big play to an Arizona passing game that has ranked among the top 10 in the NFL three straight years. That was no problem for Warner. He let the Bills die a slow death, dinking and dunking his way down the field drive after drive.’

‘”I just try to mentally prepare every game like I’m going to go in,” said Losman, who completed 15 of 21 passes for 220 yards, one touchdown and one interception. “Today I was put to that test, and quite early, too, which was unexpected. That’s my job right now. It’s a great steppingstone for me personally to learn how it is, to get in there quite early in the game and try to keep everything under control and try to lead the guys down the field.”‘

‘During the week, the rallying cry at One Bills Drive was that they hadn’t played their best game yet. Well, they still haven’t – and after this, Bills fans better hope that this team can’t play any worse.’

‘”Trent was responding,” head coach Dick Jauron said after the Bills’ 41-17 loss. “But he was still a little bit groggy. Hopefully he’ll be fine as time goes by here. He’s pretty sore. They’ve iced him and will continue to ice him on the plane going back. But he’s certainly aware.”‘

‘Losman relieved Edwards early and produced two TDs, including 87-yard bomb to Evans. But overall, he showed why he’s no longer a starter.’

‘”You can’t forget a game like this because you have to make the proper corrections and learn from it,” said defensive end Chris Kelsay who, like Mitchell, was part of a defense that got chewed up and spit out by a talented, well-oiled machine of an Arizona offense.’

‘But ultimately, the Bills weren’t going to win this game even with Jim Kelly at quarterback because their defense simply was incapable of making plays against a potent and talented Arizona offense.’

‘Justin Jenkins’ offsides penalty on an Arizona field goal attempt in the third quarter was pretty harmful. Neil Rackers made the kick to give the Cardinals a 27-17 lead, but Jenkins jumped the gun in his eagerness to try for the block. Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt decided to take the points off the scoreboard and accept the penalty, which gave Arizona a first down at the 5-yard-line. Two plays later Kurt Warner hit Larry Fitzgerald for a touchdown that made it 31-17 and it was lights out for Buffalo.’

‘Perry Fewell didn’t have one of his better days as he never figured out a way to get pressure on Warner or stop the short passing game.’

‘What happened to the discipline? What happened to the defense? Can anybody make a tackle on third down?’

‘”J.P. did some good things for us out there,” coach Dick Jauron said of Losman, who took over after Trent Edwards was knocked out with a concussion.’

‘The bad: Where to start?’

‘Buffalo coach Dick Jauron didn’t believe Wilson’s hit was dirty (neither did Wilson), but will reserve judgement since he only saw the play once on replay. “There are other things involved in any hit on a quarterback, so we’ll see where that one goes,” he said. Jauron said Edwards “was responding, but he was still a little bit groggy. Hopefully he’ll be fine as time goes by here.”‘