Archives for November 2001

‘The Bills were at home, facing a sorry Colts defense that had allowed the most points in the NFL. You figured they could build on the momentum of the Chargers loss, put a few touchdowns on the board, maybe even win the game. Instead, they took a step back – and look out, here comes another Colts lineman, flying unabated to the quarterback!’

‘There are quarterbacks who throw the ball better than Manning. Certainly there are quarterbacks who run the ball better. But it might be that no quarterback thinks the game better.’

‘Sunday’s 30-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts ran the Bills’ home losing streak to six games, going back to last season. That’s the team’s longest run of mediocrity since 1984.’

‘Attendance was 63,786. It was the first time this season the Bills didn’t sell out in time to lift the television blackout, but probably not the last. The Ralph was about half full – or half empty, depending on your attitude – with 9:14 left in the fourth quarter. It was about one-quarter full when Clements fumbled a kickoff return with 9:01 left. Early leavers never learned the play was overturned after review. Or maybe they didn’t care.’

‘With a game in New England next Sunday against the Patriots, yesterday’s loss guaranteed that the Bills will go more than a year without a home win. Their most recent victory at the Ralph came on Nov. 12, 2000 against the Chicago Bears, seven starts ago.’

‘It’s the second consecutive year the Colts have won on Canada Day at Ralph Wilson Stadium, where an estimated 15,000 of the 63,786 in attendance were from southern Ontario.’

‘Rob Johnson is back as the favourite whipping boy of Buffalo Bills fans.’

‘"Today we played an opponent that knows us better than those other teams (San Diego and Jacksonville) did. They had our number all day. I feel bad for the fans. It’s tough for them to keep coming back to the games and cheering. We played terrible. It was awful."’

‘They are inept on offense thanks to a woefully undermanned and overmatched offensive line and a quarterback who just can’t get over the hump and maintain a steady climb on the progress meter. They are just average on defense which is a nice way of saying they play well occasionally, but ultimately, their good plays are hidden by killer mistakes that cannot be overcome. And on special teams, it’s a complete crap shoot. Nate Clements returns a punt 66 yards for a touchdown, but the protection breaks down for the second week in a row and Jake Arians has another field goal blocked.’

‘They went up in flames, losing 30-14, Buffalo’s fourth home loss this season and sixth in a row. If this is home cooking, someone needs to check the cook’s I.D.’

‘"A lot of people say give up on Rob, but I think he has great skills and he’s tough as hell," he said. "They just got to get that line fixed, and that ain’t going to happen overnight."’

‘Guess three inspired performances out of Rob Johnson was too much to expect. Had a chance to win more support before the home fans but instead gave his critics more fuel. Played behind another horrid line combination but that’s a given these days. The Bills need more out of their $5 million man. Johnson was listless, his passes were off the mark for three quarters and two fumbles after sacks led to 10 Colts’ points.’

‘Quarterback Rob Johnson was the primary recipient of the wave of aggression. He absorbed six sacks, lost two fumbles that set up Colts scores and was totally inept until mop-up time late in the fourth quarter.’

‘By halftime, Johnson had one less pass completion in nine attempts than he had suffered sacks.’

‘"The linemen were all like, ‘What? What?’ " said Bills defensive end Phil Hansen, who was on the other side, where the play was supposed to go. "We were all in a pile looking for the ball."’