Archives for November 24, 2003

‘On Bledsoe throwing the pick, Donahoe said, “That wasn’t his fault; he didn’t have a chance. You can’t put that on a quarterback. When you have five against four, you better win.”‘

‘Coaching: Kevin Gilbride finally showed some guts running the ball inside the red zone, and the defensive game plan was sound until that unit wore down. Team hasn’t quit on Gregg Williams. C’

‘Wilson comes through again. Whether such actions make a difference to the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters, it should be noted that over the last several seasons Bills’ owner Ralph Wilson has stepped up on several occasions and donated tickets to various groups including law enforcers and emeregncy personnel, and, most recently, to some 4,000 military reservists. To the cynics, it’s probably no big deal but by doing so, Wilson not only helped keep the stadium full, he has, however unintended, helped lift the local TV blackout, always important to the community no matter how poorly the Bills are playing.’

‘”There’s no panic,” Manning said after completing 26 of 42 attempts for 229 yards. “I’ve been in enough of those situations and we did a good job being patient. We executed when the stakes were on the highest level.”‘

‘”I think he’s more poised and confident. I think it all comes down to Peyton. He’s playing incredible right now. He makes the whole thing go.”‘

‘”You hear about how many fourth-quarter comebacks that a guy has and I think it means a guy screwed up in the first three quarters,” said Manning, clearly unimpressed with his first 45 minutes at the office. “But I’ve been in enough of those situations and we did a good job of being patient.”‘

‘Mungro was speaking in the cramped, humid Colts locker room. About 20 feet away, Marvin Harrison encamped at his single stall. Around the corner, Dwight Freeney was pulling on a silky gray dress shirt. Indianapolis hasassumed a sort of Syracuse West. All three players starred for Syracuse University and now all three contribute to a Colts team making plans for the playoffs.’

‘The temperature at kickoff was 70 degrees, and Buffalo’s fourth-ranked defense played with a stubborn ferocity that tested the visitors’ poise and resourcefulness. The Colts held on. Their defense kept them close. Their offense put together a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives. Then their defense put it away.’

‘If anybody was still wondering why the Colts are 9-2 and going places, here was a reminder. They make plays. They make plays like these.’

‘”It’s tough when you get down there and it looks so tempting to throw the ball. But I felt Edge was running (well), hitting the holes hard all day.”‘

‘The Colts showed no sympathy. They attacked Bledsoe. “He’s not the most mobile guy,” said Colts linebacker Rob Morris. “His game is standing back there and picking you apart.” So the Colts blitzed almost every play during the first half. Often as not, they brought two extra defenders.’

‘Instead of “The Shining,” King’s 1977 novel adapted for the big screen, the Bills’ version could be called “The Shaming.”‘

‘By game’s end, it was easier to count the number of plays that didn’t include Harrison. The Colts snapped 73 plays in their 17-14 victory over the Buffalo Bills, and, by unofficial count, Harrison was on the field for 63 of them.’

‘”Kansas City and Green Bay are pretty special for tailgating,” Johnson said, “but Buffalo is the best tailgating in the NFL.”‘

‘As bad as the Bills offense is, they really can run the ball, so the Colts get high marks for keeping Travis Henry under control. This doesn’t mean the concerns about the run defense have disappeared. But for one week, things didn’t seem quite so dire.’