Archives for September 8, 2001

‘Bills kicker Steve Christie will miss tomorrow’s game against the New Orleans Saints. He will be replaced by Jake Arians.’

For those who could not make it to the “TBD Tailgate Party” Sunday, the “HAMMER” has set up a away that you can still be part of TBD Tailgate Party. We are proud to welcome to “Hammer’s Lot” WGR 55 Radio. They will be doing their broadcast next to the TBD tailgate party this Sunday. They will be in our lot for all the games this year. Ann Burke and the Bulldog will start their broadcast at 8:00 am. So tune in to WGR55, listen in, call on the toll free line and be part of the TBD 2001 Tailgate party!

‘"We might go through some growing pains, but [our offensive linemen] are battlers," said Johnson. "They will fight you to the last play. They are young, but they have a lot of talent.’

‘”Tom [Donahoe] and I have a good relationship … we talk a lot of football and a lot about personnel. I have nothing but respect for him. You’re not going to get a better man. I know he’s going to do a great job up there and I know he’s going to turn that thing around and get it the way it’s supposed to be.”‘

‘Reed established himself as one of the NFL’s dominant receivers with the Bills, setting four franchise records including most receiving touchdowns (86) and most receptions in a game — 15 against Green Bay in 1994. He finished with 13,095 receiving yards with Buffalo.’

‘"I always knew Jim was cut out to be a coach," said Fred Smerlas, Haslett’s former running mate with the Bills. "Jim has one of the big intangibles you need to be a great head coach: He’s not afraid to cut anyone’s throat and leave ’em for dead."’

‘Here’s a theoretical Plan C the Bills could face. If Christie can’t kick this week and the Bills don’t want to cut a positional player they could decide to cut Christie and agree to re-sign him next week after the Saints game. Any other team could claim Christie if he got cut. However, being a vested veteran, Christie does not have to go to a team that claims him. He would have his choice to sign anywhere.’

‘In order to prepare for the Bills, McCarthy had his offense watch 10 Tennessee game tapes from last season. The Bills apparently showed little of their "46" defense during the preseason, forcing the Saints, in McCarthy’s words, "to chase a bunch of ghosts" while preparing a game plan.’

‘Buffalo coach Gregg Williams says Jennings will hold his own. Williams compares him to defensive end Jevon Kearse, whom Williams coached as defensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans. "He does some things down the field, some second-effort things that are like Jevon," Williams said of Jennings. "He has a lot of ability, and he has been grasping things quickly and playing at a high level. I really think he’ll be a rising star in this league."’

‘"You guys can use whatever expression you want to use. All we know is that we want to win football games and I’m pretty damn sure the coaches are planning to win football games," Fina spat. "They don’t give a s— if you say rebuilding or not, we’re going out there to win a f—— game and that’s all there is to it."’

‘Johnson is fully aware of the "fragile" tag he’s been labeled with and the legion of Flutie fans who were upset when the new Bills management opted for the former USC star over the ex-CFL great, but said he’s confident he can prove his detractors wrong.’

‘The frown Andre Reed left Buffalo with 19 months ago very likely will be replaced with a smile today when the former Bills great announces his retirement from the NFL as a member of the Bills.’

‘That a whopping 11 of 12 draft picks this year made the roster, not because they are all good players, but because they earn the least money.’

‘Donahoe and Haslett talk several times a week. But they haven’t conversed this week. "This week," Donahoe joked, "I hate him."’

‘DiMaria said fans who signed up for the trip have expressed as much dislike for Johnson as love for their man Flutie. "One little old lady came in here and said, ‘Rob Johnson is a China doll! He’s a China doll!’ " said DiMaria, who will escort the group along with her brother, R.J.’