Archives for September 23, 2003

‘Sunday’s game could be a prime opportunity for the Eagles to get their running game going. Miami’s Ricky Williams rushed for 153 yards on 42 carries against the Bills, wearing down the defense and showing they’re vulnerable against the run. ”I’m going to try and make something happen,” Buckhalter said. ”Of course, I feel like if I’m in the game I can make something happen.”’

‘"We were really focused," said Surtain. "We were hearing it all the last couple of weeks that [the defensive backs] had lost it and the D-line not getting pressure. We took it as a challenge. For those guys in Buffalo to come out and talk some junk about that they wished that we played man-to-man and they would embarrass us, we took it personal because we’ve got some great players on our defense."’

‘Sometimes losses can be good. It’s called a reality check. The Bills were given the ultimate reality check by their arch rivals. Now the question becomes how will they respond.’

‘Hopefully, Bledsoe’s nightmare game was an aberration.’

‘”When they do that,” Bledsoe said of the Dolphins’ emphasis on stopping the run, “we’ve got to throw it more effectively that we did. “But we’ve also got to get our running game going.” And soon.’

‘For the record, against the Jaguars and Dolphins combined, Buffalo’s running backs have an anemic 79 yards on 41 carries. That’s under two yards a carry, if you’re wondering.’

‘The most-likely scenario, if Henry is unavailable, would have Burns inserted into the starting lineup for the first time in his two-year career and finding another backup. It’s very unlikely the Bills would enter the game with only Burns and Gash.’

‘The Bills would never come out and say they drafted McGahee because they were concerned whether Henry can endure over the long haul. But that consideration might have been part of their reasoning, and a sound part of it at that. Henry, at 5-foot-9, 215 pounds, is on the smallish side for a feature back, especially one who relishes contact, thrives on breaking tackles, lacks the gift of breakaway speed and has had past problems retaining the ball. On his best day he’s a reminder of Thurman Thomas, but the inconsistencies also point toward Joe Cribbs or Greg Bell, backs who sizzled, but only temporarily.’

‘Buffalo’s off-season master plan of building a team capable of playing physical – running the ball and stopping the run – to ease the pressure on Bledsoe has fallen off the tracks three games in.’

‘How about arrested for impersonating an NFL lineman? You’ve got a 370-pound wall in Williams, yet you’re tossing halfback option passes near the goal line. That doesn’t say much about the faith the coaches have in him, and nobody can give a good explanation for why he doesn’t play left tackle if he’s supposedly so good.’

‘A member of the Bills’ organization will make the presentation a 9 a.m. today at Lew-Port. Johnson will receive a framed certificate signed by Bills coach Gregg Williams, president/general manager Tom Donahoe and NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, plus a special cap designating him as a winner of the award. The Bills will also donate $1,000 to the Lancers’ athletic program.’

‘The truth about these Bills is that the road to a spot in the post-season comes down to this: They must win all or most of their “easy” games — vs. the New York Jets (twice), Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys.’

‘In fact, Williams seemed to gain strength as the game went on, setting up his 1-yard touchdown run with a 21-yard gain, his longest run, with 2:39 remaining.’

‘At halftime against Buffalo, Wannstedt told Williams he was going to work backup Travis Minor into the mix. But every time Miami began a possession, there was Williams, sprinting to the huddle.’

‘The back breaker appeared to come with 2 minutes, 39 seconds remaining, when Williams turned the left corner and ran 21 yards to the Bills’ 8-yard line before being pushed out of bounds. He would eventually score on a 1-yard run with 1:52 to play, sealing Miami’s victory.’