Archives for November 2005

‘How come the defensive unit isn’t playing as well as last year in the red zone and against the run?

London Fletcher: Just a bunch of different things, including the way the games have been going. When we’re on the field as long as we have been teams are going to get yards rushing the football because they are going to run. If the game is close or we are behind or our offense hasn’t shown the ability to run the ball or score points and especially if you’re playing a head coach that likes to run the football then they are going to give the ball to the running back. Red zone wise we have haven’t played with the discipline that we need to and we haven’t played with the proper technique that we need.’

‘The season for Bills tight end Kevin Everett ended before it even began as the team decided not to activate him to their 53-man roster Wednesday.’

‘Losman says he’s tired of the newspaper articles that keep saying the Bills season is over and that they need to focus on the future.’

‘Thus, almost all of Losman’s sacks should be blamed on the offensive line. It’s true that sometimes he has happy feet and panics in the pocket, leading to a sack. Most of the time, he doesn’t have more than two seconds to get rid of the ball. As anyone with a brain in their head knows, that’s inexcusable. The epicenter of blame should go to Tom Donahoe.’

‘Bills 24, Dolphins 20.’

‘”They fought hard,” Wilson said. “With the material we have and taking everything into consideration, the team played really hard (Sunday). I’m proud of them.”‘

RB Williams becoming student of the game (Miami Herald)

’72 Dolphins have more than 17-0 season in their lives (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Thomas expects to play vs. Bills (Palm Beach Post)

The waiting game (Palm Beach Post)

Masseuse helps takes pain out of long season (Palm Beach Post)

Dolphins Playing For This Season (MiamiDolphins.com)

This Week’s Game (MiamiDolphins.com)

The Bills (MiamiDolphins.com)

The Dolphins-Bills Series (MiamiDolphins.com)

The Coaches (MiamiDolphins.com)

Dolphins-Bills Series Notes (MiamiDolphins.com)

Dolphins-Bills Connections (MiamiDolphins.com)

Television / Radio (MiamiDolphins.com)

‘Despite the loss, which dropped Buffalo to 4-7, wide receiver Eric Moulds still feels the playoffs are an option. "I still think we have a shot at the postseason," said Moulds. "We have to go out and play well these last five games. We are going to have to take it one game at a time. I think we are going to need a little help, but we have to go out there and play hard."’

‘Moving on, because I have already talked and whined about the Losman situation enough this season, one thing that would truly discourage you about this game and in prior games would be McGahee’s lackluster performance. Yeah, it has been pretty darn ugly to say the least. But you know, with the way this offensive line has played, I am hard-pressed to go pointing fingers at the guy. The line is straight-up awful. And the finger for that goes to GM Tom Donahoe. He might have thought his young quarterback would have been able to work around this problem with his legs this season, but look at any successful offense in the NFL and note their offensive line. Most of these lines are great, whereas the Bills’ is just as awful as an Ashlee Simpson CD. Yes, I am not exaggerating, they are that bad.’

‘The Niagara Regional Police set up their largest DWI checkpoint of the year at the bridge after the Buffalo Bills game. In all, 73 motorists were tested for drunkenness and 10 had their licenses suspended for 12 hours.’

‘Their 13-9 loss has dropped them to 4-7, two games behind the first-place Patriots in the AFC East. Realistically, Buffalo has to go 5-0 just to have a shot at the playoffs. Everybody knows that the odds of that are about as good as me winning the lottery…without a ticket. The Bills should just start their younger players and develop them for the future. If they finish 4-12, 5-11, or 6-10 (a likely scenario), they’ll have a high draft pick and will be able to get another young star to build their team around.’

‘Williams, one of the Bills’ all-time first-round busts, was even worse at left guard, where he was given a shot when free agent signee Bennie Anderson continued to play poorly. Indeed, his struggles overshadowed those of fellow free agent Mike Gandy left tackle. Both have been yellow flag magnets. Rookie center Duke Preston might be an answer at either center or a guard spot, but it doesn’t appear either veteran Greg Jerman or sixth round draft pick Justin Geisinger will be any more than backups. But the Bills have to find out – about Losman, too – which is why the season’s final third is so important for Buffalo.’

‘Before the game, former Bills’ backup quarterback Frank Reich was honored with the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Distinguished Service Award. He played nine seasons with the Bills as Jim Kelly’s backup and is best remembered for engineering Buffalo’s 41-38 overtime victory over Houston at then-Rich Stadium in a1993 wild-card playoff game.’

‘While it’s clear Adams is less than 100 percent, Wright is perplexed that Mularkey would sit one of his best players in such a critical game. “The bottom line is when you want to win games and when you’re in a playoff hunt, you’ve got win with your best players,” Wright said. “If a guy wants to play on Sunday, then you play him. If you don’t want to start him, fine, don’t start him. But the guy can help you. Sam Adams wants to play football and the coach made him a distraction. The coach created this issue.”‘

‘Five years and the O-line is still a mess. Five years and the defensive line can’t stop the run. Five years, and Donahoe has turned a proud Bills franchise into the AFC’s version of Arizona.’