Archives for December 2005

‘Coach Mike Mularkey and Co. showed why the Bills are 4-10 with plenty of bonehead decisions.’

‘The personal foul on Villarrial was the Bills’ eighth flag for a total of 57 yards and represents the kind of undisciplined play that has Buffalo head coach Mike Mularkey on the hot seat in this cold city. “As far as playing, effort-wise, and focus, I haven’t seen a lack of that yet,” Mularkey said last week. But in this nationally televised game, the Bills – who fell to 4-10 after the 28-17 loss to Denver – were simply men behaving badly’

Broncos top Bills, clinch playoff berth (Denver Rocky Mountain News)

Photo Gallery (Denver Rocky Mountain News)

Cold warriors (Denver Post)

Broncos provide chills and thrills (Denver Post)

Smith, Wilson lead by big example (Denver Post)

Passing game sets tone at start (Denver Post)

Broncos extras (Denver Post)

Broncos won’t be left out in cold (Boulder Daily Camera)

Broncos are passing this chemistry test (Boulder Daily Camera)

Bills prove to be own worst enemy (Boulder Daily Camera)

Photo gallery (Boulder Daily Camera)

It’s a clinch (Longmont Daily Times Call)

Sluggish Broncos must reorganize before postseason (Longmont Daily Times Call)

Elam reaches 100 points for 13th consecutive season (AP)

Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills (DenverBroncos.com)

Smith’s Big Night (DenverBroncos.com)

Photo Gallery (DenverBroncos.com)

‘All the troubles — penalties, failed opportunities and dropped passes — that have plagued Buffalo all season, were apparent against the Broncos.’

‘Eric Moulds caught nine passes for 110 yards in his return to the Bills lineup following a team-imposed one-game suspension. “I just wanted to come out and play,” said Moulds afterward. “When you’re away from this game you miss it so much. (The suspension) made me realize how much I need this game and how much it means to me.”‘

‘The Buffalo Bills played even with the Denver Broncos for two quarters. After halftime, the Broncos had their way with the Bills.’

This game was a microcosm of a season fans would love to forget. The Bills won the toss and took the opening drive down for a score for an NFL leading ninth time this year. As usual however, they ended up losing the game as they couldn’t put on a consistent effort in their 28-17 loss to the Broncos during a Saturday night affair at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

The offense and defense showed once again that they aren’t mentally tough to hang around with a good team. Their second half performances made the position by position grades plummet.

‘Last week in this space, we discussed the Broncos’ recent record in conditions of varying temperatures in recent years, noting that the Broncos are 1-5 since 2002 in games that were played in temperatures below 30 degrees in that span. But in some ways, the Broncos are well-equipped for what they will face Saturday. “I think is that this team is well set-up to play in any conditions because we stop the run very well and we run the football extremely well,” Lynch said. “So I think we’ve got to kind of look at those conditions as an advantage for us.”‘

‘”We’ve been getting early leads and controlling the ball,” Plummer said. “I haven’t been in a lot of heavy passing situations. I’ve been doing a better job not forcing things and taking off or throwing the ball away. I’m playing pretty good ball, and everyone around me is playing real well. That’s making my job easy.”‘

‘Broncos 27, Bills 17.’

‘Williams costs the Bills big money. He is making $7 million this season, and counts for $7.8 million against the salary cap. He was asked to take a pay cut last season, and to restructure his deal before this season. Both times he declined. His cap number soars to $9.46 million next year and guards don’t command that kind of money.’

‘One thing is clear in this mess: So far, Moulds has outplayed Mularkey in the media game.’

‘Just about every player on Buffalo’s roster is auditioning for his job in 2006.’

‘Has it been frustrating this season that the tight ends haven’t been part of the passing game?

“I wouldn’t say so much for me personally because when I get called into the game it’s to block and I know my role. We want to catch the ball as much as we can, but we want to win and do whatever we can to help the team win.”‘