Archives for September 2004

‘The toughest calls are on the defensive line and defensive backfield. Pass-rushing defensive end Jason Gildon, a three-time Pro Bowler, is on the roster bubble. And the Bills will have to divert from the normal plan at safety because of the injury to Lawyer Milloy.’

‘Sorry, folks, but when it’s all added up, I get six wins. I can’t fathom being half right again.’

‘In his first preseason game, against the New York Jets in Tampa on Aug. 8, 1964, Gogolak kicked a 57-yard field goal, 3 yards longer than the pro record at the time. The pros started paying attention.’

‘You better be secure, smart and self-effacing to command the respect of NFL players these days. At the top of the coaching profession, it’s not about making players follow you. It’s about convincing them to join you. Starting next Sunday, we see if Mularkey is up to the task.’

‘I’ve always felt this was football’s perfect rivalry – North against South, Cold vs. Sun, Blue Collar City vs. Versace Death Site. They beat us for the entire decade of the ’70s, we returned the favor a decade later. Like Michigan/Ohio State – even if the season’s a bust – you gotta win this one. We don’t get ’em at home in the winter this year, but we don’t need to. Let the pummeling begin: Buffalo vs. Miami – the teams, the towns. … It’s got to help to see how they stack up at the Tale of the Tape.’

‘"If we have a little free time, we’ll get some rest, play the game, have some fun and get our minds off (the job) for a while," rookie free safety Rashad Baker said. "I love the game and I’m very competitive, even outside of football. It gets you pumped up playing it."’

I think they made a mistake,” Donahoe said. “A lot of people in the organization feel they made a mistake. But, you know, you have to run your franchise the way you want to run it, so I don’t have any hard feelings

The point is that Donahoe, who has this season and next remaining on his contract, has tied his fortune to a core of former Steelers comrades — and Buffalonians have mixed feelings about that, considering Donahoe is 17-31 without a winning season since he took over as president and general manager in 2001.

‘In a one-on-one interview with FOXSports.com, McGahee didn’t say he demanded a trade but admits he is certainly concerned about his status in the offense. “We have two good backs here and neither one of us wants to be a backup,” McGahee said. “I don’t blame him from saying what he said – he doesn’t want to split any time. I’m just like him, I want to play too.”‘

‘How about a new head coach plus 10 assistants? That’s the byproduct of failed expectations.’

‘If the defense can play as well as it did last season, and Bledsoe can return to something close to his normal form, the Bills could contend with the Dolphins and the Jets for second place.’

‘The last time the Buffalo Bills’ massive right tackle was the center of attention it was for all the wrong reasons.’

‘The Buffalo Bills’ starting offensive line played well in its first game together during Thursday’s preseason finale at Detroit. Jonas Jennings never had a doubt about that.’

‘Pascagoula native Shane Matthews put together a solid opener to his preseason stint with the Buffalo Bills.’

‘The special teams were troubled – they also allowed the Lions to average 26.3 yards on four punt returns – but the offensive and defensive units weren’t much better in terms of playing by the rules.’