Archives for December 2009

‘The Oakland Raiders have reportedly signed ex-Bills quarterback J.P. Losman to serve as an insurance policy because of an injury to starter Bruce Gradkowski.’

‘He could be a total disaster, or he could be – at the very least – a little better than Fitzpatrick, so why give him a tryout these last three games in another lost season for the Bills? Forget about the remaining opponents – New England, Atlanta, and Indianapolis – interim head coach Perry Fewell should let Brohm start the rest of the season and then the team can make a decision about the starter during the off-season.’

‘This I can say was definitely not one of the marquee games of the week in the NFL. In Kansas City on Sunday you had a game between two not very good teams. The Bills came out on top in this ugly affair 16-10, like they usually have over the past few years against opponents like the Chiefs. It was very clear early on that Buffalo’s offensive gameplan was going to be to commit to the run.’

‘”If you take a look at the past four years that we’ve been here we’ve had opportunities to make interceptions and have not come up with them,” said Catavolos. “We’ve dropped a number of balls where there were opportunities to make plays. This year we have people catching the football.”‘

‘We’re trying to say some nice things about the Bills because this might be our last chance. This is probably the last game they’re going to win this season. I don’t see them beating New England, Atlanta or even Indianapolis’ junior varsity the rest of the way.’

‘The Bills’ maligned offensive line had a strong day blocking, as did other players as they paved the way for running backs Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch to have their best game as a tandem this season.’

‘"Absolutely," Evans said. "Absolutely. But some things you can’t control. It’s tough at times. But the bottom line is trying to win football games. [Sunday] wasn’t a big stat game at all, but coming up with a win makes you feel a whole lot better."’

‘”He’s a big safety and a small linebacker,” Fewell said. “Bryan is really stepping up to the plate for us because we need guys to step up to the plate. It’s not the role that he envisioned himself to be in at the beginning of the season but it shows how unselfish he is and how unselfish this team is.”‘

‘Last year, the Bills had only 10 interceptions, tied for 27th in the league. Only seven of those picks came from defensive backs, and incredibly, none were made by the safeties. This year, it’s a vastly different story as the Bills lead the NFL with 25 picks, and rookie safety Jairus Byrd has a league-leading nine all by himself, more than the entire secondary made in 2008.’

‘Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt still has a lot to prove as a play-caller. The decision to call a pass from the 5 early in the third was as bad as Fitzpatrick’s throw. But he did put together a solid running plan that worked, even though it yielded just one TD. On defense, Fewell admitted he blew it by calling a blitz on the play Charles broke for a 76-yard TD, but all-in-all the defense played pretty well and closed the game out with two big stops in the final few minutes. Bobby April’s special teams were superb.’

‘The Bills continue to struggle to score points from anywhere on the field, and particularly in the red zone. Against Kansas City they were just 1-for-4 as Terrell Owens caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick. For the season the Bills have just 10 touchdowns in the red zone, tied with St. Louis and Oakland for the fewest in the league.’

‘Against a good team, such an error might cost the game, but this was the now 3-10 Chiefs. And that makes his 12-of-20 passing effort for only 86 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a lost fumble all the more telling.’

‘It’s that share-the-wealth quality that has Buffalo (5-8) leading the league with 25 interceptions.’

‘”It’s something that we want to do consistently, with the circumstances of injuries and things like that we haven’t been able to, but it’s one of the things if we’re able to do, it definitely improves our chances of winning,” said Jackson. “Marshawn and myself feel like if we can go out and do this on a consistent basis we’re going to be a hard team to beat.”‘

‘Beauty is clearly in the eye of the beholding winning coach, because this game was uglier than the clothes pro golfers wore in the 1970s.’