BillsBeat - September 26, 2001
Tom Donahoe's Weekly Bills Update
Topics covered were what fans can expect at Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh, as well as what the team is learning from their loss to Indianapolis on Sunday.
Bills players helping out Tuesday
QB Rob Johnson is particpating in 3rd annual “Rush for Reading” challenge.
Jake Arians, Brian Moorman, Brown, Phil Crosby, DaShon Polk, Avion Black, Peerless Price, Jonas Jennings, Kendrick Office and Tyrone Roberston are particpating in United Way Hometown Huddles.
Rob Jonson award Game Ball of the Week
The fans voted on who they thought deserved the game ball in Sunday’s game at Indianapolis, and in a close vote, quarterback Rob Johnson was chosen by fans to receive the buffalobills.com Game Ball of the Week for his performance.
BillsBeat - September 25, 2001
Ex-Bill Henry Jones a Viking
With Pro Bowl strong safety Robert Griffith sidelined 6-8 weeks with a fractured ankle, the Vikings on Tuesday signed veteran Henry Jones.
The Vikings released first-year TE Matt Cercone to make room on the roster for Jones.
Steelers eager to play Buffalo to see where they fit in.
The teams in AFC Central has been playing musical chairs. The Bengals, the supposed dogs of the AFC, are 2-0 and the Titans, who were supposed to challenge for AFC crown, are 0-2. The Steelers have had two weeks off due to terrorist attack and the bye week and are anxious to get a touchdown.
It's not wrong just because it's 'negative'
‘Gregg Williams strikes me as someone who could have a long and successful NFL career … OR end up a colossal failure. His problem is a self-confidence that’s almost arrogant.’
Team hopes to sign safety Jones
‘Jones reportedly worked out for Detroit shortly after being released, but had been waiting for a better opportunity.’
Search is on to replace injured Griffith
‘The first player to get a chance apparently will be Henry Jones, formerly with the Buffalo Bills. His agent, Jim Steiner, said Jones flew Monday to the Twin Cities and was scheduled for a physical today. Steiner expects that Jones will pass and could be signed. In August, Buffalo cut Jones, a Pro Bowl player in 1992, after the Bills’ new coaching staff wanted Jones, 33, to play a hybrid linebacker position. New Orleans and Detroit also have shown interest in Jones.’
Colts Take A Devious Route In Flying Right Past Buffalo
"Here’s a little unsolicited advice Gregg Williams might want to pass on to his defense: Sometimes, when it looks like an offense is going to run the ball, they really plan to throw it."
Colts Kick Buffalo
"I played awful," said free safety Keion Carpenter, who left several of the gaps in the secondary by biting on run fakes."
Bills' O-line becomes woe-line
‘Starting tackles Jonas Jennings and John Fina were among the walking wounded following the Bills’ disastrous 42-26 loss at Indianapolis on Sunday. Jennings has a pulled hip flexor muscle that caused him to miss the second half. Fina played the entire game after suffering a bruised quadriceps but was struggling to walk after. He was still laboring as he left the locker room Monday.’
Centers avoids defeatist attitude
‘"For me, it’s extremely disappointing," Centers said an hour after Sunday’s 42-26 thrashing at the hands of the Colts. "I don’t know if I can find the words to describe just how disappointing these first two games have been for me, after having such high expectations coming into this season. To start off in such a bad way is . . . it’s terrible."’
Stick with assignments, defenders are told
‘Williams said the breakdowns had nothing to do with the team’s high-risk aggressive defensive scheme. It was players not sticking to their assignments. "I really believe that the reason those plays were given up or a large percentage of it was people trying to do too much," he said. "I think second effort is wanted and encouraged after you take care of what you’re supposed to do first. What I saw on those plays is that somebody was trying to do somebody else’s job and not doing their own job."’
Big plays and penalties catapult Colts
In the early going it looked as if it would be a day of big plays for the Bills. On the fourth play from scrimmage, rookie, Nate Clements took a Peyton Manning pass 48 yards the other way for a touchdown to score the first points of the game, and the Bills first touchdown of the season.
While there is some talent on the Bills roster most of it is too green, and there isn’t enough of the experienced talent to make a difference. All in all an equation that for a while will add up to losses more than wins.