Archives for November 2004

‘The Buffalo Bills have won four straight home games but they’re one of only four winless road teams this season (with Cleveland, Miami and San Francisco) and can’t be considered an above-average team until they win a game or two outside of Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘WR Torry Holt on Bills’ dirty play: "I don’t know what they were told before the game, but they came out and took some shots at us that I think were unnecessary."’

‘Special teams: They just keep getting better for the Bills with rookie Jonathan Smith setting up a TD with a 53-yard punt return and Nate Clements scoring on an 86-yard punt return the very next time up. Jason Peters recovered a muffed Rams’ kickoff return by ex-Bill Erik Flowers that led to a field goal and Rian Lindell hit all three of his field-goal attempts. A+’

‘”You always like to win, but it’s even better when you win back in your old neighbourhood, so to speak,” April said.’

‘The Bills defense held the Rams to one yard rushing in the second half. Marc Bulger was intercepted three times.’

‘"It happened so fast," wide receiver Torry Holt said.’

‘"We have guys that love being on special teams," Bills punt returner Nate Clements said. "When you have guys that will block for you … it’s effective."’

‘"He made the plays and we didn’t. I don’t know what else to say," Coady said. "Me personally, I didn’t play well enough for us to win. And I’m sure a lot of other guys feel like that."’

‘When someone asked him why April was suddenly so successful in Buffalo after so many troubled days in St. Louis, Martz sort of snarled a bit. "They just have good people," he said.’

‘”Absolutely, they’re doing it intentionally,” Martz said. “They’re trying to blow somebody’s knee out. There’s no question about it. And it worked. They got two of our corners. I asked the officials to protect our players, and they were fairly indignant about it.”‘

‘As unhappy as Rams coach Mike Martz was with his team’s performance, he was livid with what he called cheap shots by the Bills. The Rams lost three cornerbacks to injuries: starter Travis Fisher and backup DeJuan Groce to knee injuries in the first half, and backup Kevin Garrett to a concussion in the third quarter. Rams receiver Torry Holt also accused Bills cornerback Nate Clements of trying to hurt him by going after his knees during a tackle in the third quarter. Clements also hurt the Rams with an 86-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter.’

‘April’s return men racked up 141 yards in the third quarter, including an 86-yard punt return by Nate Clements.’

Kicked when they’re down (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Victory is special for Buffalo’s April (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

TE puts Rams in tight spot (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Former scapegoat April earns vindication (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Martz says Rams’ knees were targets (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Football fans look forward to Monday after woeful weekend (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Report Card (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Rams suffer a breakdown in Buffalo (Belleville News Democrat)

Poor special teams play has Martz seeing red (Belleville News Democrat)

Bills Special Effort Beats Rams (StLouisRams.com)

Game Photos (StLouisRams.com)

‘“The way two of them were lost was a little upsetting,” Martz said, accusing Bills players of cutting Groce and Fisher at the knees. “Yes, absolutely, they were doing it intentionally. And they were trying to blow someone’s knee out. There’s no question about it.”’

‘”The hurry-up offense was made for me because I was lighter than some of the defensive linemen,” Ritcher said.’