Archives for November 2008

‘Have hurt themselves by losing divisional games to the Jets and Dolphins which could become critical if a playoff berth is settled via a tiebreaker. Injuries have hurt them of late and, as the weather starts to turn, they will need the running game to step up. Still, if they can right themselves soon, they remain the most likely candidate to unseat the Patriots.’

‘The jury is out, however, on how good the football has been and where the Patriots stand in that mix but, beginning tomorrow, we’ll get an idea. The Bills contest begins three consecutive meetings against AFC East opponents and, by the end of that run, they could well find themselves in familiar territory.’

‘”They really have the ability to win games and control games on special teams,” Belichick said. “It’s an area of the game that we say is important every week, and it’s a third of the game. But with Buffalo, they’re very, very explosive in that phase, and they make a lot of plays in all six phases” – kickoff, kickoff return, field goal, field goal block, punt, and punt return – “and don’t give up very many. The more you watch them in the kicking game, the more appreciation I have for what they do on a week-in, week-out basis. It’s something that doesn’t get a lot of attention.”‘

‘One of Byrd’s proudest accomplishments is being named to the Bills’ 35th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1994. He attends Buffalo’s annual alumni weekend, re-connecting with former teammates such as Kemp and Maguire, and longtime roommate Mike Stratton. “The bottom line is that pro football allowed me to grow,” he said. “I met so many people I never would have met – senators, dignitaries, celebrities. It’s given me so much of what I have.”‘

‘”They really have the ability to win games and control games on special teams,” Belichick said. “Seattle would be a good example of that. They hit a fake field goal against Seattle, ran a fake punt last week, ran a fake punt against Dallas last year, and ran for 40 yards against us a couple years ago when Moorman bobbled a snap. And their punt and kickoff returns are dangerous. “It’s an area of the game that we say is important every week,” he said. “It’s a third of the game, but with Buffalo, they are very explosive in that phase, they make a lot of plays in all six phases and don’t give up very many. The more I watch them in the kicking game, the more appreciation that I have for what they do on a week-in and week-out basis.”‘

Special forces go at it (Boston Globe)

Still some missing links (Boston Globe)

Wes Welker doesn’t let up (Boston Herald)

Westboro’s Byrd one of Bills’ best (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Bills present some ‘special’ problems (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Patriots remain thin at running back, cornerback (AP)

Special Troy Brown display at The Hall (Patriots.com)

Patriots – Bills Injury Report (Patriots.com)

Bills-Pats Keys to the Game; Friday notes (Patriots.com)

Bill Belichick Press Conference (Patriots.com)

‘The injury to Youboty is the latest blow to his career, after the Bills 2006 third-round pick missed 18 games over his first two seasons. Youboty beat out veteran William James to make the team out of training camp, and had a forced a fumble and a sack in five games, including two starts this season.’

‘Buffalo now has just four cornerbacks on their active roster.’

‘In Buffalo’s three losses this season they are a combined minus-9 in the takeaway-giveaway category. Solid pass protection and securing the football upon contact will be of the utmost importance. Losing the turnover battle to any team makes winning that much harder. Against the Patriots, even without Tom Brady, it’s near impossible to post a win being on the negative side of the turnover ledger.’

‘The Buffalo Bills announced that they will host the Section VI high school football playoff games at Ralph Wilson Stadium (RWS) beginning Friday evening, November 7th and Saturday November 8th.’

‘Add it all up, and if this isn’t a crossroads game for Buffalo, it’s at least an important checkpoint that could very well help determine the direction the rest of the season takes. For a team trying to end an AFC-worst eight-year playoff drought, self-confidence is a key component to the task. But that element is a fragile one right now for the Bills, and it can head one of two ways with this game against a proven winner like the Patriots.’

‘Jauron is referring to the fact that Buffalo only has Melvin Fowler and Whittle as interior line options on the roster. With Whittle’s ability to play Sunday in question due to a back injury Chambers got snaps with the first unit at right guard in practice this week.’

‘Hardy recently established an after-school program with the United Way called ‘Homework with Hardy.’ Hardy, in conjunction with the SAFE after school program, met with kids at the Frank A. Sedita school in Buffalo. He will be traveling to different local schools for the remainder of the season and then plans on dropping in to see the kids upon his returns to Buffalo in the offseason.’

‘Thurman and Jeff will talk strategy with Bills playmaking cornerback Jabari Greer and discuss what the Bills need to do to contain wide receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker and beat the Patriots.’

‘Starting right guard Brad Butler (left knee sprain), starting defensive end Aaron Schobel (foot), starting strong safety Donte Whitner (separated shoulder), No. 2 receiver Josh Reed (ankle) and nickel back Ashton Youboty (plantar fasciitis) have all been ruled out for Buffalo (5-3).’