Archives for October 20, 2002

‘Making his first start in place of injured starting Jay Fiedler, Lucas turned in one of the most disastrous performances ever by a Dolphins quarterback.’

‘It’s official: The Buffalo Bills are better than a year ago.’

‘The Bills (4-3) came in having allowed a startling 34 points per game and were missing injured cornerback Antoine Winfield from the NFL’s only secondary without an interception this season. However, Lucas was unable to develop any rhythm following an early touchdown drive.’

Nate Clements:

Recorded the Bills first INT of the season and the fourth of his career (first vs. Miami) when he picked off Ray Lucas at the Buffalo 14; the theft not only killed a Miami drive in the red zone but set up another as the Bills scored two plays later on a 70-yard Bledsoe-to-Moulds TD pass…then recorded his second INT of the first half later in the second quarter and returned it 29 yards for a TD that put the Bills up 17-10…

The home team has won 8 of the past 11 in the series… the team that has won the turnover battle has won 10 of the past 11… Drew Bledsoe has passed for 4,208 yards vs. the Dolphins, his most vs. any opponent… Travis Henry has rushed for 97 yards on 19 carries (5.1 avg) with 1 TD in only career meeting with Dolphins.

The Buffalo Bills are 3-3; the Miami Dolphins, 5-1. Do the math: A Buffalo win would put the Bills within one game of the Dolphins, who stand atop the AFC East. Right now, a playoff berth for the Bills stands as a possibility—no more, no less. A win over Miami, however, could push the Bills far deeper into the hunt.

‘But while most organizations found reasons they could not chase after Bledsoe, the Bills found one reason why they had to pursue him: winning.’

‘Losses to the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders suggested that the Bills are a good team not quite ready for prime time.’

‘Taylor has six sacks in his last four games against the Bills, all Miami wins. He has eight sacks in his last eight games against Buffalo.’

‘They’ve carried one against O.J. Simpson and the Bills for 29 years. They spit on his 2,003-yard season. Hyde says they still consider it "phonier than Sam Donaldson’s hair."’

‘Moulds is not only Price’s best friend on the team, he’s a big brother and mentor.’

‘It had its world premiere in UB’s Center for the Arts on Friday before an enthusiastic audience and is scheduled to air nationally Dec. 15 on TNT.’

‘The game actually means something. Last season, both games were played only for pride and Buffalo’s took a beating.’

‘”I would change all of the rules in the game that allow the offense to take advantage of the defense. Pass interference, roughing the quarterback, any rule that allows the offense to get any edge on the defense, I would take it out of the game and see how the game is played.”‘

‘”You take a chance,” said Wannstedt, whose 5-1 Dolphins host the Buffalo Bills at Pro Player Stadium at 1 today. “The Bills did the same thing with Drew Bledsoe, and it’s worked out great for them.”‘