Archives for December 2008

‘As the Bills, after their inspired 4-0 and 5-1 start, have swooned to six losses in their last seven games, we keep wondering what went wrong. But maybe the answer is “nothing.”‘

‘Tickets topped out at $600, but several thousand seats had to be sold at the last minute to assure that the game in the 54,000-seat former Skydome would be televised in the Bills’ market. The announced crowd of 52,134 seemed fabricated. There were considerably more than 2,700 empty seats.’

‘The lack of production has been so maddening that Bills owner Ralph Wilson resorted to sarcasm after the game: "Three points? Listen, the way we’ve been playing, it’s tough to get three points."’

‘”The points allowed is good that we’re doing that, but we’re stressing trying to get some turnovers and scoring on defense,” said Terrence McGee. “It’s really hard as a defense, just trying to get some turnovers and give the offense some good field position so they can score some points.”‘

‘The Buffalo Bills and Perry’s Ice Cream announced that 9-year-old Darian Whitmore, a fourth-grade student from Blasdell Elementary, has won the 2008 Perry’s Ice Cream “Sweetest Kid” contest. Darian’s grand prize includes a Perry’s Ice Cream party for his entire school at Blasdell Elementary on 3780 S. Park Avenue, Blasdell, NY 14129 with Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcus Stroud on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.’

‘Ralph Wilson appears to trust Brandon. If he really does, he needs to let him do what I think he feels is best for the future of this team. That means to make a change at the top and restore the fans faith and enthusiasm in this team. If the Bills truly have signed Dick Jauron to a contract extension, Wilson needs to go against everything he has done as an owner in the past and bite the bullet and let Brandon make a change.’

‘"So you’re still trying to bring a team here long term?" asked Benigni. Lind responded, "I didn’t say that. I said we’re still committed to our five-year, eight game package." But, Lind maintains that Toronto would be an outstanding NFL market, despite the slow ticket sales for Sunday’s game. Lind says, "The NFL’s got a huge future in this town."’

‘Josh Reed led the team in receptions and receiving yards Sunday with five catches for 58 yards and the only third down conversion of the day. Those five receptions moved him into a tie for 10th place on the team’s all-time list for catches in a Bills career.’

‘Was there one positive memorable play executed by the offense in Toronto?’

‘”It was crazy because we heard cheering for Buffalo and then we heard a lot of cheering for us,” said Dolphins cornerback Will Allen, whose end-zone interception of J. P. Losman in the third quarter was one of the game’s key plays. “I didn’t really know what the fans were doing. I would definitely play here over Buffalo any day.”‘

‘Henning makes full use of his tight ends. Unfortunately for Buffalo, in the one season in which Henning was Bills offensive coordinator, he did not have much tight end or quarterbacking talent with which to work. The year was 1997. The Bills’ quarterback was Todd Collins. The starting tight end was Lonnie Johnson. The Bills finished 6-10.’

‘Overall, Miami held the ball for 20:53 in the first half to just 9:07 for Buffalo.’

‘Just when it appeared the Bills would score a touchdown to pull within a field goal, J. P. Losman’s fade pass on first-and-goal was intercepted in the end zone by Miami cornerback Will Allen.’

‘The Dolphins turnover margin for the season now is plus-12. The Bills’ is minus-7.’