Archives for August 2009

‘”I’m just trying to hone in and zero in on the things that I’m deficient in, and make myself proficient,” Harris said. “At the end of the day, I’m going to get better on a weekly, daily, hourly basis. When you think you’ve got it all, that’s when you start to get worse. I’m just going to get better, and know that there’s always some type of margin of error.”‘

‘The Bills went on to win the game, 27-20, before a Kids Day crowd of 69,267. Two interceptions by rookie cornerback Ellis Lankster in the fourth quarter set up two Buffalo touchdowns. Rookie corner Lydell Sargeant sealed the win by making an interception with eight seconds left.’

‘”I feel good man,” Lynch said. “It’s just good to get out here and get some reps in some loud situations. To just be able to come out here and execute is good.”‘

‘If the Bills deal Parrish – and they made an effort to do so before last April’s draft – it would be a mistake. Their two starting cornerbacks, Leodis McKelvin on punts and Terrence McGee on kicks, would become primary return men, a burden that increases the risk of injury at a position where depth is a concern. There’s no guarantee that, on punts, McKelvin would be as consistent a returner as Parrish, and, let’s face it, until the no-huddle proves legit this offense can use all the help it can get. What’s more, the Bills would be letting go of a player who they’ve never fully strived to employ in ways that exploit his speed and quickness.’

‘”It was great to finally come back home and get a chance to play in front of the home fans and a lot of my family,” said Graham, who played well into the fourth quarter of the Bears’ 27-20 loss. “This was a great opportunity to make a play, and I just hope to be able to do it again in the near future.”‘

‘”I think those kind of lie,” he said of the gaudy statistics he put up against a solid, but as yet untested Bears defense that was making its preseason debut. “There were a couple sacks in there that I could’ve gotten rid of the ball and I could’ve taken a couple incompletions to save those sacks.”‘

‘ Just days after the Argo trade. Mace, 23, quickly inked a one-year deal with the Bills. “I didn’t know I’d be back in Buffalo,” he said. “But it’s great. It’s like being around your brothers again.”‘

‘Even with Owens no where to be found, at least the presence of Cutler in this, his first game as a Bear, added some spice to the usual yawnfest that can be pre-season football.’

Buffalo Bills top Chicago Bears 27-20 (Chicago Tribune)

Corey Graham gets chance to visit brother in Buffalo (Chicago Tribune)

Warning flags everywhere as Chicago Bears defense falters (Chicago Tribune)

Reality intrudes as Jay Cutler proves human in Chicago Bears debut (Chicago Tribune)

Jay Cutler leaves you with somewhat empty feeling (Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte sits out as Kevin Jones starts (Chicago Tribune)

After 1st exhibition, it’s clear Chicago Bears’ Jay Cutler has room to improve (Chicago Tribune)

3 Chicago Bears who helped themselves against the Buffalo Bills (Chicago Tribune)

Three Chicago Bears who hurt themselves against the Buffalo Bills (Chicago Tribune)

Photo gallery (Chicago Tribune)

Pick, 2 clicks for Jay (Chicago Sun Times)

Unfulfilled expectations (Chicago Sun Times)

Davis has to play catch-up in battle for receiver spot (Chicago Sun Times)

Photo gallery (Chicago Sun Times)

Verdict’s still out on Cutler (Arlington Heights Daily Herald)

Bears leave room for improvement following loss to Bills (ChicagoBears.com)

Photo gallery (Rochester D&C)

Photo gallery (BuffaloBills.com)

‘”I’m extremely encouraged because it’s pressing the defense,” Edwards said of the no-huddle attack the Bills have used exclusively since opening the preseason with a 21-18 loss to Tennessee in the Hall of Fame game last weekend. “We improved from last week’s game. And now we have to take another step next week.”‘

‘The Bills did not reveal the extent of the players’ injuries in announcing that both would not return Saturday night. Scott is the Bills’ starting strong safety, Florence is a reserve cornerback.’

‘Edwards played into the second quarter, hitting a perfect 10-for-10 through the air for 79 yards, though never leading Buffalo into the end zone. Fitzpatrick threw for 143 yards on 13-of-16 passes.’

‘After throwing only four passes against the Titans last weekend, Edwards saw his playing time significantly increase in front of the home crowd against the Chicago Bears on Saturday. Edwards, who appeared at ease running the no-huddle offense for three offensive series, completed 10 of 10 passes for 79 yards and also ran for 14 yards on a 4th & 1 attempt in Bears territory. Despite the quarterback’s showing, the offense continued to struggle inside the red zone early on. A 16 play, 60 yard drive stalled at the Chicago 10 yard line and the Bills had to settle for a 28-yard Rian Lindell field goal that tied the game 3-3.’

‘”There were more occasions where we moved at the tempo that we would like to get to,” said head coach Dick Jauron. “Obviously you want to be able to have some change ups in this thing, but I like it. The faster it is for me the better, within reason.”‘

‘”We will probably be in a little longer,” said Edwards. “Again, you get so mentally ready for the games. I still get butterflies, you still play hard, and it is kind of a letdown when you get taken out of a game. But, it is all part of the preseason.’