‘In fact, if you ask Brady, he’ll tell you the real "genius" is new Bills Assistant Head Coach Dick LeBeau, whose assortment of blitzes and coverages confounded the Pats offense. An up the gut blitz from middle linebacker London Fletcher disrupted Brady on the throw that went into the waiting mitts of Sam Adams, and Adams provided the sight of the day by rumbling 37 yards for a touchdown.’
BillsBeat - September 9, 2003
Newest Bill helps Buffalo form winning strategy
‘"He did help. Most of what he did tell us we kind of felt we knew, but we got confirmation from him on those things. He did give us little tips as to how they would try and play certain things."’
Heat is on Belichick to get team back on track
‘Losing a football game, albeit harshly, to a good and emotional Buffalo Bills team is not a crime. But losing a potentially great football team, in early September, would.’
Milloy's gone, and Pats must get over it now
‘With the 73,262 here in attendance and millions watching nationally, Law stomped, pouted and screamed like a 3-year-old denied a hug. New England was nowhere near ready for this. Even the opposition knew it.’
Linebackers, Washington let Patriots down on run
‘Linebackers Tedy Bruschi (5 tackles) and Ted Johnson (6 tackles) didn’t stuff the run up tight, nor did Mike Vrabel on the outside. In addition, 375-pound Ted Washington was a nonfactor, getting in on just three hits all day.’
Patriots fought Lawyer, Lawyer won
”’It’s not something that we wanted to do and it certainly wasn’t the timing we were looking for but it was, unfortunately, the way it came down,” Belichick said. ”It wasn’t scripted to happen that way, no. (But) I have to look in the mirror and look at myself and I know that we did everything organizationally that we could do and it didn’t work out.”’
Bills add QB Doman to practice squad
‘Coach Gregg Williams was impressed with Doman’s mobility from his appearances with the 49ers this past preseason. ”He can make some plays out of nothing because he does have very good feet,” said Williams. ”And as soon as he can acclimate himself to our system, we’ll see about moving him up.”’
Spikes, Bills low-key after big victory
”’A good testament for us right now is how they handled it yesterday in the locker room,” said Williams. ”That’s just how they are and how they’ve been in the meetings today. … Nice win, but it’s only Week 1.”’
BillsBeat - September 8, 2003
NFL will look into Milloy tampering allegation
‘“It sounds like there may be some things that weren’t totally above board,” New England coach Bill Belichick said Monday.’
A super opener for the Bills
‘To be sure, last season, the Bills were 28th in the NFL in giveaway/takeaway ratio at minus-12. But against the Pats, they were plus-2 and their four interceptions were 40 percent of the 10 they totaled all of last season.’
Patriots numb after stunning loss
‘”I think we were ready to play,” Brady said, “but they were playing at a different speed.”‘
Sam Adams again part of New England history
‘It was the first interception return for a touchdown by a Buffalo defensive lineman since Pat Toomay went 34 yards in the 1975 season opener against the Jets.’
Bills get quick return on moves
‘This is probably what Tom Donahoe had in mind when he signed free agents Takeo Spikes, Lawyer Milloy and Sam Adams. But in one game?’
Bills draw record TV audience for opener
‘According to ratings from Nielsen Media Research and WIVB-TV, the CBS affiliate that broadcast the game, the rating was a 37.5 with a 68 share.’
Buffalo nears pigskin perfection
‘Defying the laws of gravity and momentum, the allegedly 330-pound Adams somehow managed to cut back at full speed without suffering complete disintegration of a knee or ankle, making it to the end zone without needing to stop for Gatorade, oxygen or a snack.’