Archives for November 15, 2005

‘The Bills get a stiff test this week, as they head to San Diego to face the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. The Bills trail the all-time matchup 9-18-2, but was a 20-13 winner when the teams last met, during the 2002 season. Buffalo, though, has not won in San Diego since 1981.’

‘…Hall of Fame Coach Marv Levy on Monday night December 12th at the Millennium Hotel by the Walden Galleria.’

‘Salvation Army 2005 “Gift of Warmth” spokesman and Buffalo Bills cornerback Jabari Greer and several of his Bills teammates will participate in a “Gift of Warmth” party with 100 boys and girls at the Salvation Army community center on Tuesday, November 15 at 3:00 pm. Together the players and children will visit and enjoy a pizza party. Each child will receive a gift bag with new hats, scarves and gloves for the winter.’

‘In this game, there were some good and bad moments from the coaching staff. First of all, when head coach Mike Mularkey decided to go for it on fourth down in the first-half; what was that play call?’

The wild card? Forget it. Buffalo trails either Pittsburgh or Cincinnati (whichever loses the AFC North), by three games, and Jacksonville (6-3) by two. The Bills are even behind a pair of 5-4 teams (Kansas City and San Diego). So it’s get by the team that has won three of the past four Super Bowls or play for 2006. Which is ultimately what Losman is doing.’

‘”It shows the poise of the players on this team that are waiting for that chance to happen,” Baker said. “It’s the coaches preparing us and us just doing our jobs and taking the necessary steps to be ready whenever that time comes.”‘

‘”I used to worry about getting my hopes too high. But I’d give anything to have some real hope, to have a Buffalo team that was actually good enough to break your heart.”‘

‘A surprise starter at left guard Sunday, Williams looked like a guy who never played the position. He blew some critical blocking assignments, twice failing to pick up Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Carlos Hall on a stunt. One breakdown led to a sack that knocked quarterback Kelly Holcomb out of the game with a concussion.’

‘”He had a headache this morning, which doesn’t surprise any of us,” Mularkey said of the 32-year-old Holcomb. “Any injury to the head, neck, back, you have to be very cautious, and that’s what we’re going to do with Kelly. “I think he’s better today, but not totally clear. We’ll see for Wednesday.”‘

‘However, unless Williams makes vast improvement, it appears that the former No. 4 overall draft choice will not start Sunday when the Bills visit San Diego.’

‘Holcomb’s concussion actually gives the waffling Mularkey the perfect excuse to go back to J.P. Right now, Holcomb is the Bills’ unsung hero for taking the shot heard ’round western New York. A rib injury to Rob Johnson once opened the door for Doug Flutie to step through. It’s up to Losman to make this his Wally Pipp moment.’

‘As he was carted off the field, the driver swung him by the Bills’ bench where Losman and head coach Mike Mularkey came out and shook his hand and shared a few laughs. Losman had a few words for the security guard before he left the field. “I told him, ‘You took one for the team buddy. I appreciate it,’ ” Losman said.’

‘As I see it, J.P. should work all week as the #1 quarterback and start, while Holcomb lets the cob webs from a concussion clear. If Holcomb is cleared to play, then he can be there again if Losman struggles, which could easily happen against a Chargers defense that is #1 against the run in the NFL.’

‘Kelly Holcomb is not the future. I think it’s probably time to let the kid get back in there. He showed that he might be ready to play the rest of the way. I think the Bills schedule remains too difficult for them to make a legitimate playoff run. But, the longer they are still in the pressure of a playoff race, the better it will be for Losman. So let’s keep the hope alive, and hope J.P. remains fighting mad.’

‘If Holcomb is healthy and the coaches conclude Losman can’t handle the things San Diego does defensively, Holcomb may get the nod. But if Holcomb’s practice repetitions are limited, it may become a moot point.’