Archives for October 2005

‘Of course, the quarterback was Kelly Holcomb, not Jim Kelly – but on this day, Holcomb’s efforts were enough to help the Bills (2-3) snap a three-game losing streak and knock the Dolphins (2-2) out of first place in the AFC East. Holcomb was 20-of-26 for 169 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.’

‘”It’s better than having four straight losses,” said Fletcher, who played a huge part in sabotaging the Dolphins comeback. He had Miami running back Ronnie Brown wrapped up at the Buffalo 13 which allowed Nate Clements to come in and strip the ball away, a fumble that Troy Vincent recovered to end the Dolphins’ final threat.’

‘Pretty it was not.’

‘Moulds admits he can’t keep a secret. His idea of a poker face is to roll his eyes and grin. “It’s hard for me,” said the Buffalo Bills ‘veteran wide receiver when asked if he can pull off what a lot of people in the NFL are good at – lying. “You guys (media) have covered me for 10 years, and I’ve always tried to be honest.”‘

‘But in the final four minutes, Buffalo’s defense came to his defense.’

‘Terrence McGee’s 53-yard kickoff return to the Miami 33 just after the Dolphins had cut their deficit to 17-14 with 8:18 remaining was the play that was probably the difference.’

‘Don’t look now, but a folk hero may have been born in Buffalo. Low-talking, slow-walking Kelly Holcomb got the start over J.P. Losman and staked the Bills to a 17-0 lead against the error-plagued Dolphins. He went 20 of 26 for an efficient 169 yards and one touchdown, accurately hitting the short, chain-moving passes Losman struggled to make. A botched exchange for a fumble and a goofy lateral pass for a 15-yard loss nearly cost the Bills the win, but the defense held on. Kudos to Losman for emerging from a fetal position and addressing the media.’

‘After three games in which the Bills’ defense had forced just one turnover, Nate Clements knew he had to do something against Miami to reverse that trend. So the Ohio State product picked off quarterback Gus Frerotte, and forced a key fumble late in the fourth quarter that helped preserve Buffalo’s win.’

”’Kelly’s been in this league a long time, so there’s not too much they can throw at him that he hasn’t seen,” Moulds said. “He put us in certain situations against coverages and schemes that we needed to be in.”’

‘”I wanted to renew the rivalry. People are used to seeing Jim [Kelly] and Dan [Marino], John Offerdahl, Mark Duper and Mark Clayton, that matchup. It’s been lost the last couple of years because neither team has done very well. … I wanted this to be a special game.”‘

‘”I was so excited to get (Holcomb) in there and get him a chance to play,” Moulds said. “I know Kelly . . . he can get it done. When you got a veteran quarterback he can open it and do it a little more.”‘

Dolphins at a loss after mistake-filled defeat (Miami Herald)

Error-filled day doesn’t stop positive thinking (Miami Herald)

Good and bad turns ugly (Miami Herald)

Dolphins welcome Ricky’s return (Miami Herald)

Buffalo no longer roams (Miami Herald)

Carey kept on sideline (Miami Herald)

Defense turns it around (Miami Herald)

Keys to the game (Miami Herald)

Grading the Dolphins (Miami Herald)

Photo gallery (Miami Herald)

Comeback bid ends on Ronnie Brown’s fumble (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Ronnie Brown down? He is now (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

What next? Keep guessing (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

It’s time to get smart (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

McMichael taunting proves costly for Dolphins (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Buffalo honors Thomas at half (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

A glance at the key plays and playmakers of the game (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Making the grade (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Nick Saban Q&A (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

The coach’s take (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Photo gallery (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Late fumble thwarts Miami’s comeback (Palm Beach Post)

Fitful starts remain an issue (Palm Beach Post)

Cure must be found for team’s ailment (Palm Beach Post)

Holcomb catches praise from receivers (Palm Beach Post)

McMichael, and refs, disappoint Saban (Palm Beach Post)

Team-record 18 penalties, five turnovers enough to send Dolphins reeling to Bills (Florida Today)

In-your-face move might have been costly (Florida Today)

Boston’s knee will get a look (Florida Today)

Dolphins backup LB Moore hurts knee against Buffalo (AP)

‘“Yes, of course, you are very upset, you’re mad, you’re trying to find all these negative things and turn them into positives,” Losman said after watching backup Kelly Holcomb lead Buffalo to a 20-14 win over Miami on Sunday. “All these feelings that you’re feeling, embarrassment in front of your friends and family is probably the biggest thing. And it’s just something you have to grow from and get over.”’

‘As for Holcomb, the quarterback went 20 of 26 for 169 yards and one touchdown pass to Eric Moulds. Willis McGahee also added a touchdown and 86 yards rushing.’

As expected the Bills went with Kelly Holcomb at quarterback and he did not disappoint. He was efficient, accurate, and calm in the pocket, all the things J.P. Losman hasn’t been in the first quarter of the season.