Archives for September 29, 2009

‘Though the Bills’ offense teased us in the first two games, it’s worth noting that over the first three starts Buffalo’s attack has accounted for exactly four touchdowns. The defense has added two interception return scores and the special teams contributed Moorman’s TD toss.’

‘An inferior coach, with inferior assistants, guiding mediocre talent, is unable to get the most production out of the small group of talented players – Lee Evans, Terrell Owens, Fred Jackson to name a few – and they get stuck in the current quicksand of below average football this franchise has cranked out year after year.’

‘We wouldn’t have cared what answers Owens gave as long as they were thoughtful and didn’t waste our time. Instead, he dared us to write about his petulance.’

‘Buffalo Bills defensive back Donte Whitner wants his disorderly conduct case in Cleveland dismissed through a probation program for first-time offenders.’

‘”You just make sure you do your job really,” said Byrd. “We have veterans out there like Drayton Florence and Terrence McGee and they help me out a lot. As long as I’m doing my job we’ll be fine.”‘

‘”People have to pay attention, and they’re happy if the Bills win. It’s a better, happier crowd in general,” said Orchard Park Police Chief Andrew D. Benz, in explaining why 31 people were arrested Sunday inside and outside the stadium.’

‘"The one thing our defensive coordinator is, he gives us an opportunity to make plays," said Saints cornerback Jabari Greer, who spent the previous five years with the Bills. "When you look in his eyes and he says, "I’m going to call your number, what are you going to do,’ you have to answer that call. For your leader to challenge you like that and continue to challenge you, it gives you all the confidence in the world."’

‘"It really just shows you the angle that the media has taken all these years," Owens told show co-hosts Ryan and Doug Stewart. "Over the years I’ve always kind of spoken openly about whatever is being asked wi th my answers, so the last four or five years I’ve kind of noticed that and tried taking some steps to prevent some of those things from happening."’

‘A tight game? They were down by 10. The Bills’ best hope was to convert the first down, drive the field, get a quick score and trust their defense to get a stop so they could have one last chance to tie the game. Even then, it was a long shot. Sure, the Saints might have fumbled the punt. Or the defense might have forced a turnover. But keep in mind, the Saints had just driven 66 yards in 1:16 to take the 10-point lead. The defense was wearing down.’

‘"I thought that both [Jabari] Greer and [Tracy] Porter, the two corners, should be commended on what they did today," said Saints backup safety Pierson Prioleau, a former Bill. "And it’s not just taking Terrell out of the game because they have other receivers, too. The goal is not to stop one guy from getting a catch, but it is a great job by the two corners if he didn’t get a catch."’

‘"Going into the season, even in the offseason when we knew about Marshawn’s suspension, I said, "We’ve got to be careful with Fred because he’s a really good player and we don’t want to overload him.’ He had a lot of touches and did a great job," Bills coach Dick Jauron said. "Now Marshawn’s back and we’ll take some of that load off [Fred] and evenly distribute it because both those guys are good. It’ll make us a better team."’

‘Fifteen of those dump-offs and medium-range throws were caught for an average of 8.0 yards. I’m sure our old pal, Gregg Williams, the Saints defensive coordinator, was laughing at the Bills popgun offense.’

‘”I’ve been hearing a lot of different mixed things,” Lynch said Monday upon his return to the Buffalo locker room. “Some saying I can stay where I’m at, Fred’s doing a wonderful job. Some telling me they can’t wait until I come back. You hear mixed emotion things from fans. I’m just glad I’ve got (my teammates) on my side to let me know that I was missed.”‘

‘The seams that used to pop open on Bills kickoff returns simply aren’t there this season. It’s got nothing to do with who’s bringing the ball out of the end zone, there simply is nowhere to run. Have opposing coaches figured Bobby April’s schemes out? Or is it a lack of quality special teams personnel?’

‘”Yeah, we obviously struggled,” Edwards said. “We didn’t do a good job of, I feel like both in the run game and the pass game, we didn’t stay on the field in third down situations and we didn’t put points on the board. I felt like we didn’t really hold up our end of the bargain, but you know you’re going to have games like that.”‘