Archives for December 28, 2003

‘Over the Patriots’ last six home games heading into the playoffs, the defense has allowed only one touchdown and recorded three shutouts. And home is where the Patriots will be for the AFC playoffs (following an opening-round bye), a fact immediately downplayed by the Patriots yesterday after their rout of the Bills at Gillette Stadium, where New England is 8-0 this season.’

‘The Buffalo Bills, victors on Sept. 7 in a game that now seems a million years in the past, proved totally incapable of stopping a winning streak that now stands at 12 games as the race for Super Bowl XXXVIII begins in earnest.’

‘Turnabout was fair play Saturday.’

‘“Charlie (Weis, offensive coordinator) decided early on that he wanted to come out and try to spread them out, and see if they could cover all our guys,” he said. “I don’t think many teams put four wide receivers on the field, but we took advantage of that opportunity."’

‘“Charlie put together a great game plan and we just went out and executed it,” noted Brady, who was 15-of-18 for 90 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter alone. “We wanted to get ahead, get off to a fast start and put Buffalo in a position they didn’t want to be in. We were able to get ahead and get the momentum from the quick start.”’

‘Not even Pedro Martinez is as good at pitching shutouts these days as the New England Patriots’ defense.’

‘But, man, did things go sour for Drew Bledsoe and the rest of the Bills.’

‘Seventy-five military personnel representing the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Massachusetts Army National Guard and Air Guard were recognized by the Patriots’ organization for their exemplary service while overseas.’

‘"It was kind of a revenge thing," admitted wide receiver David Givens, whose seven receptions for 80 yards (including a 10-yard touchdown) were team highs. "It’s a great feeling to shut them out with the same score they shut us out. It’s a weird coincidence, but very fulfilling."’

‘Two years ago, the good people of Buffalo gave Drew Bledsoe the key to the city. Two years and zero playoff appearances later, they want it back.’

‘"There’s not much blocking. The whole scheme has to be straightened out. I just think we’ve got better players than we’ve shown."’

”’Ruben didn’t play in the game for personal reasons,” Donahoe said. ”We’ll have to deal with it when we get back to Buffalo.”’

‘"There’s obviously a rivalry," said Brady. "You get beat 31-0 and they really started the season the way they wanted and we didn’t. Now, you look 15 weeks later and I think we’ve proved we’re a different team than that first day."’

‘Two police officers with machine guns were stationed at one entrance, but the New England Patriots refused to say if security procedures had been tightened for their game Saturday.’

‘Very few players showed up and it spelled a 31-0 loss. Ruben Brown got the ball rolling early in the week and was not allowed to play in the game or make the trip by Gregg Williams. All that Williams will say is it’s personal reasons. It’s a shame the head coach and the organization doesn’t feel it owes its fans an explanation on why their eight time Pro Bowler was AWOL.’