Archives for November 1, 2010

‘Fitzpatrick, to steal Dennis Green’s most famous line, is who we thought he was. He’s exactly who you thought he was, too, if you cared to look at it critically, and he clearly isn’t a first-string National Football League quarterback. He’s a dynamic backup, a guy who could easily hold the fort down for a few games if a frontline starter was sidelined. He makes exciting plays, but he makes awful throws, too, like the one picked off by Eric Berry.’

Succop’s kick on final play gives Chiefs 13-10 overtime win over Bills (Kansas City Star)

Bend-don’t-break strategy pays off for Chiefs defense (Kansas City Star)

Chiefs running backs gouge Bills (Kansas City Star)

Haley seems open to self-examination (Kansas City Star)

Coaches practice icing techniques (Kansas City Star)

A breakdown of Sunday’s win against the Bills (Kansas City Star)

Chiefs-Bills game report (Kansas City Star)

Photo gallery (Kansas City Star)

Mulligan helps KC’s Haley (Topeka Capital Journal)

Chiefs down Bills 13-10 in OT (KCChiefs.com)

Chiefs-Bills Postgame Notes (KCChiefs.com)

Todd Haley Postgame Comments (KCChiefs.com)

Matt Cassel Postgame Comments (KCChiefs.com)

Photo gallery Quarter 1 (KCChiefs.com)

Photo gallery Quarter 2 (KCChiefs.com)

Photo gallery Quarter 3 (KCChiefs.com)

Photo gallery Quarter 4 (KCChiefs.com)

Photo gallery (BuffaloBills.com)

Photo gallery (AP)

Photo gallery (Buffalo News)

Photo gallery (Rochester D&C)

‘Buffalo’s Rian Lindell hit what would have been a 53-yard game-winner earlier in the overtime but the kick was nullified because the Chiefs had called their last time out. Forced to do it again, Lindell kicked a wobbler that hit the right upright.’

‘Among the Bills inactives are cornerback Terrence McGee and tackle Cornell Green, starters who also missed last week with knee injuries.’

‘Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 223 yards on 24-of-48 passing, including a touchdown and an interception. He was also sacked three times in the loss for Buffalo (0-7), which has lost each of its last two games in overtime.’

‘Fitzpatrick had one last chance with timing running out in the extra quarter of play. However, facing 3rd and 10 from the Chiefs’ 42 yard line, the quarterback was forced into an intentional grounding penalty from immense pressure from the Chiefs defensive line.’

‘They just keep finding more and more ways to lose, and this had to give last week a run for its money for the “Most Disappointing Loss” award.’

‘What does the Bills offense do with the break? They run the ball three times for ten yards and Fitzpatrick scrambles for 14. The ball’s at the 42 so Buffalo needs to get closer than a 60 yard field goal. Fitzpatrick has two straight incompletions and on third down he does the one thing he can’t do. Cordero Howard lets his man get through. Howard already allowed two sacks and Fitzpatrick gets called for intentional grounding. YOU CAN’T DO THAT! That is Trent Edwards and J.P. Losman football!’

‘It remains to be seen how this season plays out of course, but the Bills are no longer unwatchable, as they were earlier this season. There are signs that Gailey and his staff – the defensive staff the notable exception – know what they’re doing. We won’t know for awhile if gm Buddy Nix has a handle on personnel, but he could hardly be worse than the last few groups through Orchard Park.’

‘Can the Franchise Quarterback talk die down for the week? Fitz has been great, but what we saw in KC Sunday is the very reason why he is an excellent backup and solid spot starter. He is smart and he can make plays. But he is Ryan Fitzpatrick.’

The No. 1 beef with overtime so far seems to be Chan Gailey and Curtis Modkins’ insistence on passing in the extra session. I can’t decide if I can get behind this viewpoint, even if it seems the easiest answer. The Bills ran 19 plays in overtime, only four of them runs by a tailback. Jackson had four carries for 13 yards, which isn’t exactly dynamite. Plus, Fitz’s ability to scramble makes every spread formation-style play a possible running play. My early verdict? Not a big deal… and this is coming from a guy who would run on nearly every first down if he was a playcaller.

‘After missed field goals by both teams in overtime, Buffalo took the ball at their own 29-yard line with 3:38 left in the game. Ryan Fitzpatrick moved the Bills into Chiefs territory with a 14-yard scramble to the Kansas City 42. Fitzpatrick however, was flagged for intentional grounding on a third down incompletion as he was taken down inside the tackle box and did not throw the ball to anyone in particular. It forced the Bills to punt with 1:20 remaining.’

‘They couldn’t force a turnover, what else is knew, and despite every chance given to them to win, they found a way to lose. Thus is the life of a Bills fan. The question is if the Chiefs missed that final field goal would a tie have been fitting for a very poorly played game.’