Archives for December 10, 2005

‘The Pats have lost six defensive backs for the season due to injury, and that has hurt their effectiveness in mixing their coverages in some games. “A year ago, they would have guys play in different positions but doing the same thing, meaning a linebacker would take the place of a strong safety, for instance,” said tight end Mark Campbell. “At times it might screw up your calls or could make blocking schemes tougher. You don’t see as much of that.”‘

‘”It’s been an interesting week, I’ll say that,” says Scott Berchtold, the Bills vice president of communications who was also front and center during the team’s famed 1989 Bickering Bills season. “When you’re in this business and do what we do, there are always challenges and things that have to be addressed PR-wise. Sometimes it’s tough and sometimes not as tough. As a department, we always try to be as professional as we can be and represent our organization as best as we can.”‘

‘”When veteran players go to free agency they’re looking to see what’s out there and see what their best fit is, and if they hear about a team that is having problems with its veterans, that can come back to hurt you. Some guys won’t even make a trip if certain things are going on. To be honest, it really can (hurt you).”‘

”’There was great fan support up there [in Buffalo] and it was a fun place to play,” Flutie recalled. ”I started the foundation for my son in Buffalo. We had done the Flutie Flakes for about six months before the season even started. We decided to put the Flutie Flakes proceeds toward the foundation. I started playing up there and the timing was just total coincidence. Everything kind of fell into place for us.”‘

‘”I wouldn’t say [the Pats’ game plan] will be dramatically different” without Moulds, New England coach Bill Belichick said. “They’ve been using Parrish on a lot of deceptive-type plays, reverses and quick screens and stuff like that, so you know, and he can throw, so he can do deceptive type plays, but I would imagine they would run their regular plays that they’ve been running, maybe have a couple special things in there for him. As he’s played more they’ve used him in special ways, but I’m sure he’s learning the offense and he’s got to learn all the stuff that the ‘X’ receiver runs.”‘

‘They don’t have to worry about Eric Moulds this weekend, but the New England Patriots still need to find a way to stop Lee Evans.’

‘McGahee was impressive six weeks ago, rushing 31 times for 136 yards and almost single-handedly helping his Buffalo Bills dominate time of possession against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium. He carried 19 times on first down, piling up 90 yards.’

‘He replaced a fading star at quarterback, and was in turn briefly replaced himself by a well-traveled journeyman before reclaiming his job — all the while playing for a team where the coaching staff and general manager are likely to be replaced moments after this season mercifully ends. Welcome to the world of J.P. Losman, quarterback of the Buffalo Bills…’.

‘As quarterback tandems go, the Johnson-Flutie relationship wasn’t Tonya Harding-Nancy Kerrigan, but it wasn’t all that far removed and the controversy split the Bills’ locker room. When asked about Johnson earlier this week, Flutie lapsed into “Belispeak.” “We’re not supposed to comment on other players,” he said rather coldly.’

Buffalo fit Flutie’s bill (Boston Globe)

Faulk again unable to put best foot forward (Boston Globe)

History lesson (Boston Herald)

Colvin eager to get on with the snow (Boston Herald)

Faulk another no-go in practice (Boston Herald)

Pats warm up to winter’s chill (Providence Journal)

Parrish’s versatility may be sparkplug for Bills’ offense (Providence Journal)

Hands down, a tough task (Woonsocket Call)

Patriots hope to stop McGahee (Springfield Republican)

Losman finding his way (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Flutie’s home once where Buffalo roamed (Brockton Enterprise)

Safety valve (Quincy Patriot Ledger)

Belichick Press Conference (Patriots.com)

Patriots keys to victory against the Bills (Patriots.com)

Patriots Cheerleaders participate in Operation Seasons Greetings (Patriots.com)

‘New England beats a mentally and physically battered Bills team, 26-13.’

‘The Buffalo Bills have lost their last three and are likely to miss the playoffs yet again. It should be interesting to see the passionate home fans exhibiting their frustration with GM Tom Donahoe and HC Mike Mularkey. Both could be gone after this disappointing campaign.’