Archives for November 3, 2002

‘Brady completed 23 of 27 passes for 310 yards with two of the touchdown throws going to running back Antowain Smith.’

‘Efficiently picking apart the Bills’ defense, Brady completed 23 of 27 passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns, helping the defending Super Bowl champions snap their four-game losing streak.’

‘Once again, Drew Bledsoe took a back seat to Tom Brady and Antowain Smith haunted his former team.’

‘In any event, it’s a big, big game. Perhaps not just a game, but an event.’

‘Can Bledsoe outplay Brady and lead the Bills past the defending Super Bowl champions? Can Bledsoe be a virus in the computer-like brain of Bill Belichick today and for the better part of the next five years? That’s what we begin to find out in Bledsoe Bowl I at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘"This is the time of the year when the weather changes and the running game becomes more important," said Henry, who gained 51 and 54 yards in two losses to the Patriots last year. "We’ve had some good games running the ball so far, but we’ve got to step up even more this week."’

‘Opponents took a look at that K.C. film and designed their game plans for infantry attacks. The Pats haven’t stopped anyone since.’

‘Say what you will about Belichick’s wooden personality, or his dismissive approach with players, he is the top defensive football mind of his generation.’

‘"I don’t know that you’re ever ahead of schedule, but we’re doing some things that are positive," said Ronnie Vinklarek, the offensive line coach. "Our communication is better, our cohesiveness is better and our chemistry is enhancing every week."’

‘Q: This league often has been described as the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league. Are you the ultimate example of that? A: When you play in this league, you’re on trial every week. If you play for a long time, maybe you get a couple weeks before your job is on the line. Every player knows if he doesn’t play well he can get yanked. Yeah, I was an example of it last year. I played a lot of years, did a lot of things for the organization, but got hurt. The other guy was playing well, and all of a sudden I can’t get back on the field.’

‘”What I did was take a look at what the situation was and what the options were, and again, made the decisions I felt were in the best interest of the football team,” Belichick said. “There’s a million different scenarios we can always create, but in the end, there’s certain options that were available, and there were certain options that weren’t.”‘

‘Despite Bledsoe’s impressive passing statistics, Buffalo will run the ball early and often with its best ballcarrier, Travis Henry, because New England’s run defense has been shredded regularly, giving up an average of 142.3 yards for a league ranking of 29th.’

When the Bills play the division rival New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium there will be more going on than just the battle at hand. Bills fans from far and wide will be there to honor the legendary quarterback Jim Kelly one more time.

‘After winning the Super Bowl with unheralded Tom Brady, it was clear they needed to move Bledsoe and avert what would’ve been a debilitating team controversy. But to an AFC East division rival they would have to face twice a year?’

‘[Q:] What is the pain like on Monday mornings after an NFL game? [A:] ”It can be pretty bad. Of course you’re going to come away with bumps and bruises, so you have to take care of your body. The worse part is your fingers because you’re constantly using them, and you have defensive players swatting at them all the time.”’