Archives for December 2002

With two games to play the Bills already have four more wins than they did a year ago. That four-win increase is the second-greatest one season turnaround in team history and is one shy of the all-time best one season turnaround of +5 accomplished in 1964, ’73 and ’88.

Watch video highlights of Sunday’s game.

‘Flutie, inserted for Drew Brees (13 of 24, 148 yards) midway through the fourth quarter, gave the team a brief spark. But at this point, the team’s battery is nearly dead.’

‘"We needed this,” Gilbride said. "We’ve played some good games and not won, so for us to win a game that wasn’t one of our best, and still come out on top, I think that makes it very satisfying."’

‘"For him to complete that first pass is just like Doug," Brees said. "He could be sitting there just as cold as ice sitting on the bench and he can come in and throw a 50-yard post. It is pretty amazing. Once he did that, I thought we were going to roll right down the field and score and get it again and score."’

‘Buffalo effortlessly marched down the field 64 yards in just seven plays to score the winning touchdown with 52 seconds left. Running back Travis Henry looked like the East Coast version of LaDainian Tomlinson, rushing for 53 yards on five carries during the drive.’

‘RT Vaughn Parker, a Buffalo native, returned after missing four games with a triceps injury. But the line, for the second straight week, didn’t play well. That, among other things, was why Schottenheimer went to the more mobile Doug Flutie at QB in the fourth quarter.’

‘DEFENSIVE LINE — D – Those were some big holes Travis Henry was rumbling through. At the point of attack, the Chargers weren’t attacking.’

‘Henry scored both Buffalo touchdowns as he gained 144 yards in 22 carries, to outperform San Diego star LaDainian Tomlinson who ran 28 times for 110 yards.’

‘The Bills’ head coach entered Sunday’s game amid increasing speculation that his job was on the line in the wake of losses in four of the last five games. A couple of team sources stressed "it would be very good" for Williams’ job security if he won two of the final three games. Those sources also said a win over the rival Chargers would be especially beneficial for Williams.’

‘"Sometimes," Bledsoe said, "you gotta win ugly."’

‘The Chargers don’t have a QB controversy, and Schottenheimer made that clear in his opening remarks to the media.’

‘But on a day when quarterback Drew Bledsoe looked more like Rob Johnson (with Doug Flutie playing for the other side, no less), the Bills’ defense delivered its most clutch performance of the season.’

‘If wins and losses are paramount, then the argument to retain Williams is fortified with substance.’

‘Henry gained 144 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns, locking into the seventh spot for most yards rushing in a season. He could surpass Thurman Thomas’ three best seasons if he gains 176 yards rushing in the final two weeks.’