Archives for September 2002

‘In a poll of NFL GMs a year or two ago, Shanahan was an easy winner as the NFL’s best coach. If the Broncos get to the Super Bowl in this season’s upside-down series of events, the vote might be unanimous.’

‘The Broncos are too tough at home and will bring the Bills back to earth with a 27-21 victory.’

‘Now three weeks into his fourth season with the Buffalo Bills, Price is smiling. There’s a long way to go before Price can totally prove his point, but the smile is an "I-told-you-so" kind of grin.’

Buchsbaum’s Preview: The Broncos look as good as almost any team in the league right now. The Bills are not in their league.

Matchup to watch: First-round pick Mike Williams, a mammoth blocker at right tackle, will face off against Broncos DLE Trevor Pryce and have to keep Pryce out of Bledsoe’s face if the Bills are to be successful.

Despite special-teams breakdowns that led to two Jets touchdowns in Week One, including the game-winner in overtime, and a 61-yard punt return by Vikings, we hear that Bills ST coach Danny Smith’s job is relatively safe for now. HC Gregg Williams said after the Week One game there was nothing wrong with the scheme and that the problem was missed tackles, a vote of confidence for Smith.

My upset special. There has to be letdown after beating the Rams and 49ers back to back. The Bills are much better than people realize. Preview

‘The heavily favored Broncos are positioned to bring the Bills back down to earth with a thud.’

‘”I believe there are some parallels that can be drawn between football and life,” says the Bills’ new offensive coordinator. “With each, you have to deal with constant change and new challenges. Neither life nor football is static. How well you handle both the expected and unexpected will determine how successful you are.”‘

‘”I’m always happy. Anytime you see me I’ve usually always got a smile on my face.”‘

‘”This is the toughest team we’ve played in a long while,” Bills coach Gregg Williams said. “Mike Shanahan teams play with a toughness. They do a great job of controlling the line of scrimmage.”‘

‘Unfortunately for Buffalo, it has given up exactly as many points as it’s scored – 76 – and that ranks behind only winless Detroit (80) in league generosity.’

‘But most significantly, through early this season, Hollis has the best percentage among active kickers from 50 yards and beyond (13-of-18).’

‘And if there was any doubt about the esteem in which players held him, Abramoski is the only trainer in the history of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to present an individual for induction.’

‘You see, his parents, Russ and Lydia, make the drive here from East Syracuse for four or five games a season … and upon arrival at Ralph Wilson Stadium, they sit in pretty good seats. And all because their little boy, the vice president, has grown up to be a player. Yes, a player. With a big desk in a big-windowed office of a big-time sports franchise.’

‘When the Broncos kick off today’s game against the Buffalo Bills at Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver will be going against the most potent offense it has faced this season. More potent than St. Louis’. More potent than San Francisco’s. More potent than the Broncos could have imagined when the NFL released its 2002 schedule back in April.’