Archives for September 2005

‘Sixty-seven games into Tom Donahoe’s reign as president and general manager, here’s how it breaks down for the Buffalo Bills: Two head coaches, three offensive coordinators, three opening-day starting quarterbacks and a 27-40 record upgradeable to 24-27 by granting the boss one year’s grace for inherited salary cap nightmares.’

‘”He’s a good player that’s really been behind a great player,” coach Mike Mularkey said. “He has a chance to be a very good one, but he just really hasn’t had the opportunity. Here’s a chance to step up, practice with the first team all week and get comfortable with them.”‘

‘”If people went to the stadium quicker and didn’t stay in the parking lot until the last minute, there wouldn’t be a problem,” said Patrick M. Howard, who supervises police and peace officers for Apex Security at the stadium. “The lines aren’t bad at quarter after 12 or 12:30. The lines are bad at 10 to 1. People are waiting in the parking lots too long.”‘

‘Patrick Howard supervises police and security officers at Buffalo homes games. He says anyone who waits until ten minutes before kickoff to head for the gates is going to get stuck in a long line.’

‘Many things have changed since 1980 … but Kudela and his friends – and a few more – are still meeting for a Bills game every year. The past weekend marked the 25th anniversary of the gathering. At least 55 people got together for a weekend reunion and to attend the Bills game against Atlanta. “I cooked 25 pounds of Polish sausage, 20 pounds of chicken fingers … and a full salad,” Kudela said. “Everything went.”‘

‘Former Buffalo Bills quarterback and hall-of-famer Jim Kelly is coming to Canton to talk about his life and raise awareness about a fatal nervous system disease that killed his son. “An Evening with Jim Kelly” will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at the McKinley High School’s Umstattd Hall, 2323 17th St. N.W., Canton.’

‘J.P. Losman isn’t where I thought he’d be after three games, but I’m not shocked. I expected at least a Carson Palmer learning curve and we’re getting it.’

‘As good as McGahee was, second-year quarterback and first-year starter J.P. Losman was that bad, as he put forth his second abysmal performance after looking sharp in the first game of the season.’

‘Jacobs started for the Patriots for two years then became aware of the perils of football after Nick Buoniconti was drafted and given his job. But things couldn’t have worked out better for the Canton product as his trade to the Bills was to a team on the upswing. Buffalo compiled a 12-2 record the next season for their first of back-to-back championships. The second was a 23-0 victory over San Diego in 1965.’

‘Second year quarterback J.P. Losman has shown the ability to move the offense into scoring position.’

‘Clearly, Losman is early in his learning curve and needs some major help from a defensive unit that swore it had his back. But unless it happens soon, this team is in big trouble … and it’s not all on the quarterback.’

‘That run defense was anchored up the middle by large defensive tackles Pat Williams and Sam Adams. However, Williams departed in the off-season for a bigger payday in Minnesota and his loss has really shown as veteran Ron Edwards has taken over alongside Adams. Outside of the opener, when the Buffalo Bills defense held Texans starting back Domanick Davis to just 48 yards on 14 carries, Buffalo’s run defense has been porous.’

‘"It just looks like it just gave out on him," Mularkey said.’