Archives for November 2004

‘This game was basically an all-world sissy fight between two teams with fan bases that have seen some sorrowful times in recent years and in this season.’

‘Sure it was only Arizona, just as it was only winless Miami a couple of weeks ago, but any win is a good win for the Bills these days. This was a good win.’

‘But perhaps better than any punter in Bills history, Moorman knows how to handle the howling gusts off of Lake Erie. On a day when Drew Bledsoe threw two touchdown passes and wasn’t sacked, when Willis McGahee rushed for more than 100 yards for the second time in three weeks, and when Emmitt Smith was limited to just 2.9 yards per carry, a 175-pound punter may have been his team’s most valuable player.’

‘Highly respected coach Dennis Green may have eternally rebuilding Arizona on the upswing but the Cardinals fell prey to14 penalties, several special teams breakdowns, and a timely blast of good old-fashioned western New York fall weather.’

‘The opening coin flip. The Cardinals won, and they chose to take the ball rather than defend a goal. It was a colossal mistake by a team that isn’t used to playing in inclement weather.’

‘On about a half dozen plays, backup defensive tackle Justin Bannan substituted for Lawrence Smith at left guard to block on Willis McGahee runs. Late in the game, both Bannan and massive defensive tackle Sam Adams were used to block on back-to-back goal-line plays. It was an interesting use of personnel, and the Bills won the game, so you can’t argue the merit of those moves. But so much for the careers of guys like Smith, Marcus Price, Mike Pucillo and Dylan McFarland – offensive linemen who were on the bench, watching Bannan and Adams play their positions.’

‘Credit Mike Mularkey for working long hours last week on correcting the team’s red-zone problems. After an 0-4 outing at Baltimore, the Bills scored four TDs in five chances. Special kudos to special teams coach Bobby April.’

Blown in the wind (Arizona Republic)

Cards prove any progress is just a mirage (Arizona Republic)

Windy day takes toll on passers (Arizona Republic)

Is Cards curse in code? (Arizona Republic)

Photo Gallery (Arizona Republic)

Cards can’t handle elements or Bills, lose 17th straight on road (East Valley Tribune)

Special teams blow it for Arizona (East Valley Tribune)

Boldin looks just like old self in return (East Valley Tribune)

Cards Lose Field Position Battle, and Game to the Bills (AZCardinals.com)

‘Sure, Willis McGahee is looking like everything Donahoe and the Bills hoped he’d be when they rolled the dice on him knowing he wouldn’t even play in 2003 and maybe never at 100 percent, but that may not be Donahoe’s smartest move in the past several months. That move, which wouldn’t even bring a collective yawn from most fans, was Donahoe’s negotiating a 6-year contract extension with punter Brian Moorman that will average about $900,000 per season, not including bonuses.’

‘Running Back Willis McGahee rushed for 102 yards and scored the first two touchdown of his profesional career. In the air, Drew Bledsoe hit Wide Receiver Eric Moulds and Tight End Tim Euhus for 8 and 12 yards touchdowns respectively.’

‘Head Coach Mike Mularkey said after the game Sunday that with the he planed to run the ball regardless of the defensive fronts. "Especially with the weather conditions, they (Arizona) knew we were going to run the ball the whole game," said Mularkey. "There was an eighth guy in the box the whole game so for him (Willis) to make the yards and get what he got done, I thought it was a credit to him and the whole offense."’

‘On a day with harsh winds, field position was crucial and the Bills were able to win that battle throughout the game. Punter Brian Moorman played a large role in that battle, often punting into the stiff breeze. Moorman punted the ball seven times for an average of over 44 yards. Most of his punts were into the wind, and some were even out of the shadow of his own end zone.’

‘"I’ve got to come back in (Monday) and have the doctors take a look at it, but I should be all right," Reed admitted while walking around under his own power in the locker room after the game.’

‘The win leaves Bills fans wondering if this was a treat and a sign of things to come or if the Buffalo offensive explosion was just another trick and next week it will be the same old Bills.’

The special teams were truly special for the first time since the Super Bowl era. It was a phenomenal effort by every phase of the special teams as the return units scored a touchdown and setup two other touchdowns in the 38-14 win over the Cardinals.