Archives for November 2002

‘It was Edwards who boldly pushed the button to sit Vinny Testaverde and start Chad Pennington. He made the change decisively, making it clear the move was permanent, not some desperate, grasping-at-straws search for a one-week answer.’

‘His ability to step right in and become the AFC’s top-rated passer in his first stab at the job hints that there’s more than just talent at work. Pennington’s success is also about how well Pennington used all those months he never got to play.’

‘Suddenly, the Jets’ West Coast offense is a smooth operation, churning out yardage and first downs, finding the end zone and limiting turnovers and penalties. Incredibly, Pennington’s interception Sunday in Detroit – off a deflection, no less – was the Jets’ first turnover in three games. They committed exactly one offensive penalty against the Lions. The offense appears, for lack of a better word, coordinated.’

‘The Bills have scored just two TDs in the past two games. Teams are playing a soft zone against Drew Bledsoe, taking away the deep ball.’

‘”He has prepared himself to do this,” said Edwards, who said he’s not surprised by Pennington’s fast start. “When you prepare yourself and you surround yourself with players who are fulfilling their roles, it makes your role a lot easier. This is how he has gone about his business and how he is running the football team right now.”‘

‘Kansas City’s fourth-round pick in the 1998 draft, Favors enjoyed his best seasons from 1999-01 at Tennessee, the first two under defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, now the Bills’ head coach.’

Also today, the team announced that it has released WR Reggie Germany, who had spent the entire 2002 season on the Reserve Injured list.

Kansas City's victory evens the Chiefs at 5-5, which puts them in last place in the AFC West. Across the map in the AFC East, where parity reigns like a thunderstorm, Buffalo drops to 5-5 in a three-way tie for second place.

"This is a big win for the Chiefs," Williams said. "They had to have it. So did we. This is important going down the stretch."

New week of Trivia questions/answers posted from last week.

‘The Bills are the most-penalized team in the league in terms of yardage (771) through 10 games. They’ve had the fourth-most penalties called on them (83).’

‘Price is a proud and emotional player. But by now, he should know better than to shove an opponent in the mouth and get whistled for a personal foul. He’s not a rookie; he’s four years into his career.’

‘”I thought he had good coverage, I thought he put his hands up when the receiver put his hands up, but the ref that caught it was behind him,” said cornerback Antoine Winfield, who has three of the aforementioned penalties this season to rank second on the Bills behind Watson. “I don’t know how he could see if there was any contact up front.”‘

‘However, film study is an art form and Bill Belichick and Dick Vermeil came up with effective plans to slow him down. Now we will see if Bledsoe and Buffalo offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride have a counter-attack.’

‘However, Buffalo’s 1-2 record in division games and 2-5 mark in conference games makes its road to a playoff berth far more arduous.’

‘I honestly don’t know how or when I became a Bills fan. I followed the team religiously, even before they became kings of the AFC in the early 90’s. I remember writing letters to the organization and getting bumper stickers and team photos a few weeks later in the mail. And, yes, I still have them. Heck, my entry in the fourth-grade Halloween painting contest was a pumpkin-turned-Bills helmet.’