Archives for November 2008

‘Injury bug: The Bills have been hit hard. Patriots-killing DE Aaron Schobel is out this week with a torn tendon in his big toe, an issue the Buffalo News reported could be season-ending. SS Donte Whitner separated his shoulder against the Jets on Sunday and likely is out as well. WR Josh Reed has a strained Achilles and sprained ankle and is expected to miss his second straight game. RG Brad Butler has a sprained knee ligament and has missed the past two games. His replacement, Jason Whittle, took a helmet to the back last week and has a nerve problem in his thigh.’

‘”The Patriots are a great challenge with (Tom) Brady ,and are still a great challenge now that he’s injured,” Jauron said. “I don’t think about that factor; we both have injuries. The Pats still pose a lot of problems, and we’ve made a lot of mistakes to take ourselves out of the past few games. I’m not saying we deserved to win this Jets game (a 26-17 loss last Sunday); we clearly didn’t. But we’ve got to eliminate the errors we’re making and get better prepared.”‘

A look back at Patriots’ early story lines is telling (Boston Globe)

Now, a few more things regarding Patriots (Boston Globe)

Cassel pockets praise (Boston Globe)

Bills try to straighten out (Boston Herald)

Matt Cassel hot in pocket (Boston Herald)

Bills at a glance (Boston Herald)

Patriots linebacker Gary Guyton is a real keeper for his versatility (Providence Journal)

Next up for Pats: three division rivals in a row (Providence Journal)

Is Pats’ glass half-full or half-empty? (Providence Journal)

State of the Union: Patriots Version (Springfield Republican)

Patriots battle Bills in divisional clash (Patriots.com)

Josh McDaniels Conference Call (Patriots.com)

Bill Belichick Conference Call (Patriots.com)

‘If you’re wondering where the Bills’ defense failed to get the job done, you could do worse than speculating defensive end. Starters Chris Kelsay (1) and Ryan Denney (2) plus reserves Copeland Bryan (0) and Chris Ellis combined for three tackles.’

‘The two-time Pro Bowl defensive end is to meet with a specialist in North Carolina on Wednesday to have his foot examined, a person familiar with the injury told The Associated Press on Tuesday. There is concern that Schobel sustained a more serious injury in the mid-foot area where a cluster of bones forms a small arch between the ankle and toes, known as a Lisfranc injury. It is the type of injury that ended Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney’s season last November, the person said.’

‘When a team has not sniffed the playoffs this decade, there is – understandably – a tendency to overrate the team based on a small sample, just how it is easy to panic over a couple of bad games. Many, including this space, could be found guilty of jumping the gun on anointing the Bills a playoff team.’

‘The eight remaining opponents for Buffalo and Miami have the lowest winning percentage among the four AFC East clubs.’

‘Frank Payne, Iroquois High School head football coach has been named the Buffalo Bills High School Football Coach of the Week after the ninth weekend of the 2008 high school football season.’

‘Bills fans flocked the Verizon Wireless Store at McKinley Mall to support a great cause and meet their favorite Bills players. Hundreds of fans supported Kids Escaping Drugs and the Stand Strong campaign by making a monetary donation. In return, they received limited edition posters and obtained autographs from Bills quarterback Trent Edwards, cornerback Leodis McKelvin, offensive lineman Brad Butler, defensive end Chris Kelsay, defensive tackle John McCargo and defensive tackle Spencer Johnson.’

‘That’s because Schobel substitute Ryan Denney was noticeable against the New York Jets in the worst way, namely in how he kept making his way into the corner of the cameraman’s view. Buying reverses, letting running backs speed by, and generally engaging in unproductive behavior is how the BYU product spent most of his game, and it’s not chance that the Bills have suddenly forgotten how to get to the quarterback.’

‘”It goes for everybody,” left tackle Jason Peters said. “You have tight ends, we have running backs, the line, receivers, and everybody has to do their job for a play to work. If one guy breaks down, then the play doesn’t work. Everybody is accountable.”‘

‘In time, this draft class might be a good one. But the organization expected more. Maybe they’re a year away – like the team as a whole.’

‘A separated shoulder, depending on its severity, usually requires at least two to four weeks for it to heal. More serious cases would require surgery and a much longer recovery. “It’s not the best news we got,” Jauron said after Monday’s walkthrough practice.’

‘Drunken driving after the Buffalo Bills game Sunday took a heavy toll, leading to one accident that killed a 51-year-old Lancaster man and another that sent a 10-year-old Monroe County boy to a hospital, law enforcement officials said.’

‘A woman, law enforcement officials said Monday, was having sex with her boyfriend in a bathroom stall.’