Archives for October 2001

‘While listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against Indianapolis, Ostroski’s presence was the first sign of good news for Buffalo’s banged-up offensive line.’

If nothing else was accomplished with the Buffalo-San Diego game, it’s this: The controversy is over. Both Rob Johnson and Doug Flutie played heroically, both played with a lot of character. They fit their teams — be glad the controversy is over. I don’t think either QB came out on top or looking bad, both did great things. Let’s put the manufactured controversy to rest.

After taking a 24-20 lead with 1:30 to play, thanks to a courageous comeback effort by Johnson, the Bills in order: allowed a 72-yard kickoff return, allowed Chargers quarterback Doug Flutie to score the deciding points on a 13-yard run.

The past two weeks is a sign of progress. This young team will be a playoff challenger next season.

Really did treat Grudge Bowl like Super Bowl: They lost.

Some reporters tried to convince Rob Johnson that again Flutie somehow had everything go his way again, as seemed to be the case his entire three years in Buffalo. Johnson disagreed, “He didn’t luck into it. He played well. He’s a competitor. He had an opportunity, we had a chance to sack him, and he spun out of it and made a play. The fact that he got down there by a kickoff and a penalty, that happens. It happened to us against Tennessee."

Even Johnson’s quarterback enemy had respect for his former teammate, “Rob played great.” Flutie said, “He made all the plays with his legs and his arms, and put them right back in a position to tie the ball game at the end. He played his ass off, he played great.” Flutie even went so far as to say the Bills took the game over in the second half, “It felt great early, and then they started moving the ball up and down the field. It felt like they had the ball the whole second half, and we were watching.”

‘After sifting through about 1,100 e-mails since last week, I’d say roughly half were written from people who wanted Doug Flutie as the Bills’ quarterback. The other half wanted Flutie, too – anywhere but here.’

‘"You get caught up in the game when you’re out there," Moorman said. "I was angry that they made it through, I heard him say something to me, and so I just stood up and walked off. I didn’t think I should have been called but it happens and you have to move on. Hindsight is 20-20 and it wasn’t the right thing. I’d love to have it back. I’d love to have that moment back and if I would, I could, but I can’t so I won’t. That’s the way it goes."’

This collection has some great pictures of Moulds and Riemersma.

‘But after five games this season with punter Hunter Smith trying to learn the skill, the Colts are again counting on Vanderjagt.’

Signed to replace injured Safety Griffith, Griffith is expected to be back after the Bye week.

‘It illustrated why Flutie is a perfect fit for San Diego and why Buffalo made the proper choice in keeping Johnson.’

…based on total yards per game (330.5). The sortable stats also reveal they are 4th in offensive penalties(50) and 9th in time of possession(31:16). The defense is ranked 21st; 13th against the pass and 25th against the run.

‘”Flutie’s a magical guy…He’s fun to watch. I have nothing against him. Bless him. But I’m not happy he scored.”‘

‘"It’s pretty tough," said veteran fullback Larry Centers. "We feel like we had the game won and in our pockets. To let it slip away is especially frustrating. It’s easier when you lose a game by a wide margin than the way we lost it (Sunday). . . . You like to stay away from the shouldas and the couldas and the wouldas, but we had the ball game won and had a lapse in one area, on one play and it cost us."’