Many coaches would have benched Henry for the game– and understandably so. Gilbride, however, decided to give the second-year back another opportunity. “I wasn’t going to play him, but I looked at him and said, ‘I’ve got to give this guy a chance,” he said. “I have enough belief in him that he’ll come back. He’ll be smart enough with the ball and won’t turn it over again. He gives this offense chances as a runner.'”
BillsBeat - September 30, 2002
Bears' overtime magic runs out
‘”It was a complete team loss,” Bears linebacker Rosevelt Colvin said.’
Bears running game grounded again
‘It was Buffalo’s plan to stack the line and stop the Bears’ run game, bringing the safeties up for run support and leaving cornerbacks one-on-one with receivers. It’s a risky proposition, but the Bears didn’t have a run play over five yards.’
Bears can't corral Bills
‘"We didn’t do anything real well today," defensive coordinator Greg Blache said. "We gave up plays in zone coverage, went to man coverage and gave up plays. There are no excuses. Right now, we’re just not getting it done."’
Bears running game falls flat
‘The Bills figured the Bears’ offense relied on its running game, and sought to stop it by any means necessary. "We had to commit to the box today," Buffalo coach Gregg Williams said. "We knew that was a big part of how they wanted the game to go, to get to shorter third downs. We wanted long third downs, so we had to commit early to plan the run defense."’
Week 4 Highlights (Video)
Watch highlights of Sunday's thrilling 33-27 overtime victory over the Bears.
Bledsoe, Bills make overtime work
‘It took the Bills just two plays to travel 56 yards for the winning score.’
Drew's flying circus strikes again
‘"What are we going to call this offense, the D-Gun?" asked tight end Jay Riemersma. "We’re on the edge of our seats just like the fans."’
Defense succeeds putting pride on line
‘"I was just on today," said Williams, who was one of the Bills’ leading tacklers last season. "I just refused to let them run the ball. I just had it in my mind all week."’
Bears' running game stages disappearance
‘"We knew it was going to be very difficult to play here," Bears coach Dick Jauron said. "We were trying to come in here and steal a win. We almost did it, but almost isn’t good enough."’
Bills' believers start to hear an amen chorus
‘"I think we’re starting to develop a belief in ourselves that we’ve got the talent," said Bledsoe. "We know we’ve got the ability to play with anybody in the league."’
Bledsoe bandwagon filling with teammates
‘You know what Bledsoe was doing after the Bears blocked the Mike Hollis kick that should have won it in regulation? Tight end Jay Riemersma saw it. "He was coming down the sidelines saying, "Hey listen, it’s going to be on us to win this again. Let’s go do it.’ He’s excited. He’s like a little kid out there, a kid in a candy store. He’s just excited to play every single play."’
By leaps and bounds, Moulds enjoying himself again
‘"It’s a good feeling to know that you’re going to have an opportunity to make plays every week," Moulds said. "Having a quarterback like Drew really makes things easier."’
Monday Billboard
‘Bledsoe completed 28 of 36 passes for 328 yards and four TDs. His passer rating was 141.7, which is almost off the charts. He sure looks better than the last No. 11.’
Bills president to speak at breakfast
‘Limited tickets still are available for a talk by Tom Donahoe, Buffalo Bills president and general manager, Oct. 8 in the Saturn Club, 377 Delaware Ave.’