Archives for October 2001

‘"I think (Johnson has) had stretches of playing well, but he has had some unlucky situations," Bills coach Gregg Williams said this week. "He has had stretches where he has executed the offence very well. The breakdowns on offence have not just been the quarterback."’

‘So tonight before a national television audience, Johnson’s goal isn’t to settle an old score. It’s to merely prove the Bills didn’t get fleeced for first- and fourth-round draft picks, something he hasn’t been able to do during his three-plus disappointing seasons in Buffalo.’

‘By coach Gregg Williams’ count, the secondary has dropped seven interceptions so far. Are you guys wearing oven mitts?’

‘Life is good for the young man from Victor who starred at Cornell University and is now carving out a nice little career for himself in the NFL.’

‘This is the Bills’ first visit to Jacksonville for a regular-season game. It is the only NFL city they hadn’t played in.’

‘Donahue drafted 12 players and the Bills kept 11, a stark contrast to the Jaguars, who drafted 10 and kept five. The Bills, though, are paying a price for their youth. They’re 0-4. That is why rebuilding is not popular in Jacksonville.’

Survey selects five Bills players: two current (Phil Hansen and Antoine Winfield) and three former ones (Sam Gash, Marvcus Patton, John Parrella)as the best "blue-collar" players at their positions.

4. Travis Henry, RB, Buffalo Bills

Season Stats: 70-240-1 Sunday: Bye

Stock: STEADY

Henry rushed for 113 yards his last time out and has a chance to duplicate that performance Thursday against a Jacksonville defense that allowed 176 yards rushing its last time out.

Henry has been solid considering the offensive line?s poor job of opening holes, though he is averaging only one catch per game. That?s poor for the starting RB in a West Coast offense.

4. Pat Williams / Bills ? "There was no drop-off when Washington went out last year and Williams came in."

[Ex-Buffalo Bill Ted Washington is #1]

Some would say that Johnson is what’s in the water, while other Bills fans would say that’s where they’d like to throw him. They claim that Flutie would have this Bills team with a better record than 0-4.

That’s why I call this a mania. There is absolutely no guarantee that the diminutive miracle worker from Boston College would have done a better job had he been kept by the Bills instead of Johnson. But these cries from Flutie fans are nothing new.

The mayor of Jacksonville, John Delaney, has written letters to NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Florida legislators in an effort to get the league to revise its blackout policy. The Jaguars experienced their first-ever TV blackout this season and expect that the game versus the Bills in Week 6 will also be banned from being shown on television in Jacksonville because it won’t be a sellout.

Jimmy Williams, 22, was a sixth-round draft choice of the Bills this spring, the 196th player selected overall. He was the only player drafted by the Bills who did not make the roster, but the club attempted to retain his rights by signing him to the practice squad.

He declined the Bills’ offer to sign instead with the 49ers PS, in part because of the presence of former Vanderbilt teammate Jamie Winborn, a LB with the 49ers. The two, both represented by agent Terry Bolar, now are roommates.

29. Buffalo Bills (30): The one bright spot is that coach Gregg Williams hasn’t lost his sense of humor

The Bills are the highest ranked unwinning team.

"Right to the end, to the onside kick, we thought we had a chance to win the game. That’s one thing you want to get out of your players. If you can get 60 minutes of effort from your players every week that you play, you’re going to have a chance to win some games. The effort has to be there, and if it’s not there, 11 players all out on every player, you’re not good enough to win in this league."

‘"It’s difficult for me to get in the flow of the game when I’m checking protection and releasing to the flat, which I seem to be doing a lot in this offense," Riemersma said after the Bills’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. "We’ve got to find a way to free the release guys and get rid of the ball quicker. Bottom line."’