Archives for September 2004

‘The Bills called the dive play over the right guard and tackle even though starting right guard Chris Villarrial was out with a leg injury and even though the Raiders have one of the NFL’s largest front sevens, led by Ted Washington and Warren Sapp.’

‘Bills didn’t hit enough big plays early to call off the dogs. At least two sacks were blocking mistakes, allowing unblocked heat.’

‘Sunday’s loss made the Bills 2-11 in their last 13 road games dating back to 2002 when QB Drew Bledsoe came aboard. In those games, Bledsoe has thrown 10 touchdown passes, 17 interceptions, and been sacked 45 times. Buffalo has committed 38 turnovers and collected just seven takeaways (minus-31). It’s hard to believe the Bills were once 3-1 under Bledsoe on the road.’

‘If the Bills won’t give a refund they should at least give their fans a blindfold. It hurts ones eyes to sit through a Bills game and watch this offense. Maybe it wasn’t Kevin Gilbride’s fault after all, this still looks a lot like the anemic, unproductive, and un-watchable offense we saw in 2003.’

‘How bad was it? Bills punter Brian Moorman’s 24-yard completion on a fake punt accounted for more than a third of Buffalo’s 61 yards net offense in the first half.’

‘The truly troubling thing here was the inability for a team that’s emphasized running the ball since the day Mularkey arrived to carve out a single yard when it needed it most. Buffalo’s renovated offensive line got absolutely no push and Travis Henry stumbled and came up short.’

‘Penalties are committed at crucial times in games, passes are dropped, and big plays are given up to the opposition.’

‘After allowing one sack in Week 1, the team allowed seven against the Raiders. Just like last season, when the Bills allowed an NFL-high 51 sacks, they are struggling to pick up blitzes and adjust to stunts. QB Drew Bledsoe is getting rid of the ball more quickly, but he still stands in the pocket too long.’

‘In short, Buffalo is looking at only its second 0-4 start in the past 19 years. So much for this season’s optimism.’

‘"What this game came down to is we didn’t get the job done offensively," an obviously irritated Bledsoe said. "I didn’t throw it well enough, we didn’t block well enough, we didn’t run well enough and didn’t catch the ball well enough."’

‘"I’m frustrated, disappointed," receiver Eric Moulds said. "I don’t think it feels like last year, but I think a lot of things we’re doing are uncharacteristic of this team. Mistakes are just killing us."’

‘Bledsoe threw balls behind receivers. Some of his tosses were too low to be caught. He short-hopped throws. He also was too high on a couple of passes.’

‘"Going against their offensive line, we knew we were going to be able to get some pressure," Raiders cornerback Ray Buchanan said. "I’m not dogging them out, but we saw on film we were going to be able to get in there."’

‘They’re not a good team. They’re a tease, a redundancy, a Sunday afternoon squandered. They are an indictment of their president and general manager, Tom Donahoe, who promised to fill his locker room with tough-minded winners and instead patched together a mentally soft squad that always seems to find a way to lose.’

‘It ended Sunday because of the tight coverage Vincent and Clements put on him. Vincent had the assignment most of the day and rendered Rice a nonfactor.’