Archives for September 17, 2006

‘”Our guys did a terrific job today and in preparation for today’s game. Not turning the ball over was huge for us. Our defense played a terrific game. We pressured them when we needed it, we contained the run somewhat, but our defense played a terrific game. We were effective running today Willis (McGahee) got off to a great start and might have surprised them a little bit. Our kicking game today was outstanding. Brian Moorman pinned the Dolphins deep and Rian (Lindell) continues to knock them through. This was a great win for our football team.”‘

‘Special Teams: Grade A+: The main reason for the victory.’

‘Ryan Denney – More than anybody else, he has real benefited from the new defensive scheme as he is finally developing into the type of player the Bills thought they were getting when they drafted him in the 2nd round of the 2002 draft.’

Rian Lindell had three field goals and Josh Reed caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from J.P. Losman, who was 11-of-18 for 83 yards. Willis McGahee had 91 yards on 25 carries for Buffalo (1-1).

‘For Buffalo it was arguably one of their better 60 minute efforts in some time.’

‘Losman completed 11 of 18 attempts for a total of 83-yards and one touchdown, Willis McGahee rushed for 91-yards and Reed had four receptions for a total of 39-yards and the Bills’ lone touchdown.’

‘Daunte Culpepper threw for 250 yards and a late fourth-quarter touchdown in his home debut for the Dolphins (0-2), but he also tossed one costly interception and was sacked seven times.’

‘The Bills sacked Miami’s quarterback seven times — five in the first 15 snaps — plus blocked a punt and survived a woeful passing effort in beating the Dolphins 16-6 on Sunday, sending Miami to 0-2 for only the second time in the last 37 seasons.’

‘Another safety, Matt Bowen, was inactive for the Bills with a lower leg injury; he was replaced by Donte Whitner. Other Buffalo inactives included cornerback Aston Youboty, running back Shaud Williams, tackle Brad Butler, center Aaron Merz and defensive end Eric Powell.’

‘The Bills gave up 183 rushing yards to New England in their season opener last week, and they are expected to be without star linebacker Takeo Spikes, who has a sore hamstring. That makes an already light Bills defensive front even smaller. Spikes’ replacement is rookie sixth-round draft pick Keith Ellison. He’s 228 pounds, 5 pounds lighter than Brown. The Bills say size isn’t the problem. They say they just need to be more disciplined in playing their defense.’

‘Which brings us to Spikes’ lament about free safety Troy Vincent likely having played his final game as a Bill. There should be sadness about Vincent’s end, since not only has he been a very good player but he’s lent a great deal of class to the organization. But let’s allow reality to enter into this: Vincent is in his 15th season at age 35. Young players get better, old players get older.’

‘It’s about time to find out, wouldn’t you say? Honestly, isn’t it time for McGahee to show us, once and for all, that he truly is a star?’

‘”It’s how you want to do it,” Whitner said. “You don’t want to wait until you’re 24 or 25 years old to start making plays on the football field, to start picking up the defense and start being a leader. You want to do it from Day One.”‘

‘Miami, 27-20.’

‘Spikes wouldn’t change his mind. He wanted out. He wasn’t convinced Lewis could wrestle enough authority from the Brown family owners. Spikes signed a big contract with Buffalo. But, at the dawn of the 2006 season, Spikes has yet to appear in a single playoff game. Old Bengals teammates Brian Simmons, Willie Anderson and Rudi Johnson got there with Lewis in 2005 and have a strong shot at repeating their postseason berth. As for Spikes and the Bills, they’re rebuilding this season.’