Archives for September 2003

‘”We can run the ball when we need to, we can pass the ball when we need to,” Bills guard Ruben Brown said. “That’s the thing that is exciting about this offence.”‘

‘The defense, which was burned by the run in Carolina, stopped the run this time, but was strafed by Bledsoe’s passing arm. “It starts with the D line. If we don’t put any pressure on him, it’s going to make it harder on the secondary,” defensive end Paul Spicer said. “We’ve got to take just as much of the blame [as the secondary], probably even more because we’re the first guys who have to make him reload.”‘

‘Considering the touchdown march came against Buffalo’s backups and with the Jaguars trailing by 28 points, Leftwich didn’t see any need to be boastful. “It was what it was,” Leftwich said of his play. “I’ll let other people talk about it.”‘

‘”It’s great to be 2-0, and just a little bit sweeter doing it here,” Shaw said. “You always want to show an old team what you can do, but I didn’t put any extra pressure on myself. When the ball is snapped, it doesn’t matter who you’re playing. You’ve got to take care of business.”‘

‘Facing little pressure from the Jaguars’ defensive front four, Bledsoe barely broke a sweat — even on a hot day — while completing 19 of 25 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns in slightly more than three quarters of work.’

‘Prescott is hopeful that lower ticket price and fan amenities will boost sales the rest of the season. A few victories wouldn’t hurt, he conceded.’

‘No, what the Buffalo Bills did to them yesterday — obliterating Jacksonville 38-17 in the home opener and having Drew Bledsoe rip apart an overmatched defense — was the kind of Sunday punch that requires its victim to take a standing-eight count. And take stock of themselves.’

‘At Alltel Stadium, security measures can be tough. Bo Reed, director of special events and promotions, said security personnel sometimes find fans trying to sneak in illegal materials. Reed said fans have tried to slip video cameras, giant beach balls and large quantities of food through stadium security. “The strangest things include a fish and a beer funnel,” he said.’

‘The Bills’ coaches were so confident that they dressed just six defensive linemen, which was one or two fewer than most teams activate on hot days. “Hydration was the key for us,” Milloy said. “The heat really wasn’t a factor. If you prepare for it, you don’t worry about it mentally. Our coaches did a good job keeping us focused on the Jaguars and not the weather.”’

‘The game was effectively over by the third quarter — a point at which Buffalo held a 25-point lead and had converted 7-of-10 on third downs. But the game was less about deflating Jacksonville’s defensive aim than just simply popping it altogether.’

‘Buffalo laughed at the heat and the home-opening hoopla and everything else Jacksonville threw at it. Which, most notably, did not include a pass rush.’

’19: The number of completions thrown each by Drew Bledsoe and Mark Brunell. 16.5: The average yards gained on Bledsoe’s completions. 6.4: The average yards gained on Brunell’s completions.’

‘While there was plenty to lament, at least one part of Jacksonville’s plan went right. After giving up 122 yards rushing last week to Carolina, the Jaguars were intent on vacuuming up Buffalo RB Travis Henry at the line of scrimmage. And while Henry scored three rushing touchdowns, he only managed 26 yards on 21 carries — a far cry from his Pro Bowl talent.’

‘”We went up against a very good football team, and they were the better team today,” Del Rio said. “My hat’s off to the Bills and Drew Bledsoe. We didn’t do enough to get him out of rhythm.”‘

‘On this day when his quarterback rating soared to 144.2 (the maximum is 158.3), Bledsoe never did go down. He was not sacked. He was not intercepted. His uniform won’t even need to be laundered. Nothing stopped Bledsoe, not security on the way into the stadium or traffic on the way back to the airport.’