‘Does Johnson want to be in Buffalo next year? "Yeah I do . . . if I’m the guy," Johnson said. "Public sentiment is so for Doug and it will always be for Doug. And it makes it hard for the team when I go out there and get booed in warm-ups, or throw the ball away and get booed, and have a concussion and get cheered. I played my ass off for the city this year, I thought."’
Archives for December 23, 2000
Laugh Till It Hurts
‘Marcellus Wiley is his own personal laugh track. He cannot help himself, working a room of friends or strangers with a smile, a joke, a wise crack. How can he be so upbeat in the face of a season gone wrong with the addition of front office and contract negotiation drama? Heck, try being the life of the party after 16 weeks of playing football.’
Johnson’s elbow has tear
‘"There is a slight tear in the ligament in my elbow," he said. "I’ve had it for two years now." Johnson said the initial prognosis is he will not need surgery to repair the tear, but he will see a specialist during the offseason to make sure.’
Heads could roll if Bills throw a stinker in Seattle
‘Outlook: Flutie may be able to conjure up a win in what likely is his Bills finale. But win or lose, don’t expect it to be pretty. . . . Bills, 24-23.’
Bills: We’re focused on finale
‘If ever there was a run-for-the-bus game, this is it, though the Bills were saying all the right things this week as they prepared for their meeting with the Seahawks.’
Dismissal a relief for Butler
‘But daily contact with Wilson, who didn’t necessarily tell him what to do, but who wanted to know every detail of what he was doing, wore Butler down.’
Bills/ Seahawks scouting report
‘It’s hard to predict what might happen tonight in this meaningless season finale for the Bills and Seahawks. With both teams out of the playoffs, they’re playing for pride and the chance to make one last final impression on their respective coaching staffs. Is that enough to warrant a well-played game?’
Bills’ future uncertain
‘To say there was an air of uneasiness in the Bills’ locker room this week, especially after Butler’s firing, is a huge understatement. The fact team owner Ralph Wilson Jr. decided to accompany the team west – he said it was to show his support for the team in Butler’s absence, others say it’s so he can fire coach Wade Phillips in person immediately after the game – hasn’t helped ease tensions.’
Meaningless game? Tell that to the Bills hoping to keep jobs
‘However, Phillips denies his job is on his mind. "I’m focused on this game, I’m coaching, I’m not even thinking (about my job)," he maintained. "(Owner) Ralph Wilson makes decisions based on what’s best for the Buffalo Bills. I’m sure he’ll make the right decision (on coaches)."’
Holmgren learns lesson in meaningless games
‘Mike Holmgren isn’t used to playing meaningless football games. The Seattle Seahawks’ head coach has worked 15 seasons in the National Football League and not until this year had he ever had a team involved in a losing season.’
More than a game at stake
‘Seahawks, 23-17.’
Seattle will pull out all the stops to contain Flutie
‘"I think, probably, Flutie is one of the best scrambling, creating quarterbacks who has ever played the game," said Seahawk defensive coordinator Steve Sidwell, acknowledging the headaches Flutie can cause an opposing coach.’
Capsule preview: Seahawks vs. Bills
‘Guard Ruben Brown was selected to his fifth straight Pro Bowl. Only Bill legends Bruce Smith (11), Andre Reed (7) and Steve Tasker (6) have earned more total Pro Bowl selections than Brown, a team captain this season.’
Holmgren plans another overhaul
‘There is a very real possibility that the Seahawks’ leading passer (Jon Kitna), receiver (Sean Dawkins) and rusher (Ricky Watters) could be gone after the season. Kitna is a free agent whom Holmgren is not expected to re-sign, while Dawkins and Watters might be let go in cost-cutting moves.’
Seahawks game preview
‘Pick: Bills, 27-20.’