Archives for October 14, 2002

The Miami Dolphins are tied for the best record in the NFL, but may be without quarterback Jay Fiedler for a few weeks. Fiedler suffered a broken right thumb with 3:30 left in the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s thrilling 24-22 win over the Denver Broncos and will be sidelined indefinitely.

‘Bad News: Houston is about the only team Buffalo could have beaten the way it played at Reliant Stadium.’

More than once, I’ve heard people compare this Buffalo team with the Bills of 1987. There are some obvious similarities: Marv Levy was hired midway through the 1986 season, and began installing his own assistant coaches in 1987. One of those was offensive mastermind Ted Marchibroda, who designed the Bills’ no-huddle attack. You can fairly compare that to Gregg Williams coming to Buffalo in 2001 and, after a subpar season, installing Kevin Gilbride as offensive coordinator

‘Note to Buffalo’s defense: When a running back slows down while running toward the sideline and lifts the ball above his shoulder, as Houston’s James Allen did early in the fourth quarter, HE’S GOING TO THROW IT. SO COVER SOMEBODY.’

‘Why Buffalo won – Three reasons: Drew Bledsoe, Peerless Price and Travis Henry.’

‘"We knew we had enough time," Bills coach Gregg Williams said. "Our guys kept their composure. They fought back and redeemed themselves."’

‘The Texans were penalized 11 times for 75 yards, but Buffalo was tagged 13 times for 128 yards. The ones on Houston hurt more. "We just beat ourselves," strong safety Erik Brown said. "Call it excitement or emotion, it got the best of us."’

Through six games in 2002, the Bills have had seven 100-yard receiving games from three different receivers – three each from Eric Moulds and Peerless Price and one from Josh Reed. The most the team has ever had in one season was 11 in 1991, accomplished by four different receivers – Andre Reed (4), James Lofton (4), Thurman Thomas (2), and Don Beebe (1).

‘The Bills actually had more penalties than the Texans, racking up 128 yards on 13 penalties, to 11 penalties for 75 yards for the Texans. But the Bills were able to play their way out of their mistakes and the Texans weren’t.’

Head coach Tom Goddard of Clarence High School has been named the Buffalo Bills' high school football "Coach of the Week" for the sixth weekend of the 2002 season (Oct. 11-12). Clarence scored an exciting 35-28 overtime victory over arch-rival Lancaster, earning their fourth consecutive victory and a giant step toward a playoff spot in Class AA, Section VI football.

‘"We just have to keep believing even when we’re down. As a team we have to step up and be prepared."’

‘"Jerry challenged them at halftime to step up and to not lose their confidence in their techniques," Bills coach Gregg Williams said. "Both coordinators did a good job of scheming in the second half."’

‘Coach Gregg Williams called it a strained muscle, but won’t know for sure until the rookie has a magnetic resonance imaging examination today.’

‘"I take full responsibility," said a very somber Foreman. "It was a selfish display on my part. I’m not that type of player, not that type of person. There was a lot of pressure on me this week. I just did something I never ever have done before, and probably never ever will do again." Except that he did, on the very next play.’

‘Yes, it was pretty bad out there for a while. But give the Bills credit. They kept plugging away. They maintained their poise in the midst of all the chaos. The coaches made the proper adjustments in the second half and the players executed them.’