Archives for October 2001

In Buffalo, these are not exactly the best of times for Tom Donahoe. The first-year Bills boss hardly is the most popular figure in town, seeing as how he is presiding over the ragged collapse of a proud franchise.

No major deals are expected. There have been no so-called "deadline deals" in four of the past six seasons, including last year.

Van Pelt called Johnson "the unluckiest guy in the world" for the number of times he’s been hurt.

"I would have to agree with that," Johnson said, chuckling. "It’ll turn around. I’m a pretty positive guy that way. I’ve had some rare and cheap hits. But when you run around like that and try to make plays like that, sometimes you’re going to take some hits."

Discussion of whether coaches should be GMs as well. Tom Donahoe was one of the guests. October 7 episode.

‘Even if the break brings a return to health for several Bills, it won’t change the fact that the team faces an uphill climb to respectability. "It’s frustrating from top to bottom," Riemersma said. "We also realize that through this kind of adversity comes the true character of a football team. I think you’re going to see some leadership by guys you may not have known before."’

‘Ricky Williams, Edgerrin James, Jerome Bettis and Curtis Martin. The Buffalo Bills have faced the NFL running back version of Murderers Row the last four game. As you might expect, the injury-riddled Bills defense has not been up to the challenge.’

"From the tiny town of Leoti, Kansas to the modestly sized city of Buffalo, New York, the 5'9" Steve Tasker has made a substantial name for himself. Conventional wisdom has it that the former Buffalo Bill, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and the only special teams player ever chosen as the Pro Bowl MVP, will eventually become the first true special teams player selected to the NFL Hall of Fame."

"All the way down to the end, as they are finishing that drive, and doing the points they need to be successful on that last drive. They honestly believed that they were going to get the onside kick, and we’ve scored once on a Hail Mary this year, why not again?"

"My goal was to play as long as I could, at least 10 years," says Hansen, 33. "My goals have changed over the years. At first, it was to see if I could make the team. I didn’t know anything about professional football; I didn’t know how I would stack up. Now my goal is I want to win a Super Bowl."

‘"I think I’ll be all right," said Johnson, who was extremely sore yesterday but feeling much improved. "Nerves come back. I expect to take three or four days and be ready to practice. I don’t foresee any long-term damage. He bent my neck pretty good. I didn’t know it could bend that far. I think I’m lucky it was just a stinger."’

‘While still experiencing pain and stiffness a day later, Johnson was confident he wouldn’t miss any playing time as the Bills enter their bye week. They are off until Oct. 18, when they play at Jacksonville.’

‘First the good news. The Buffalo Bills scored 36 points on Sunday afternoon … the most in a home game since 1998. Now the bad news. It wasn’t enough.’

‘”We were upset … that was a cheap shot,” said Bills rookie running back Travis Henry. “He was sliding and the guy still just hit him … he got caught in an awkward situation and he got hit – that was wrong.”‘

‘Rookie running back Travis Henry didn’t start the game, giving way to Sammy Morris. "We scripted the beginning of the game on Wednesday and wanted to open in the no-huddle," said coach Gregg Williams. "Sammy’s in our no-huddle package, Travis isn’t."’

‘The Jets won this game with their big-play start.’