Archives for September 2006

‘They’re still the Bills. Sunday’s 28-20 loss to the Jets reaffirmed that while the Bills are an improved team, they still have a long ways to go before they can be called contenders.’

‘It’s hard to win ball games when you beat yourself. We win together, we lose together.’

‘New York’s fragile signal caller, Chad Pennington, had far too much time in the pocket, and he conservatively picked the Bills’ secondary apart as a result. The talented Pennington finished the game 19 of 29 for 189 yards, a touchdown and no turnovers. Buffalo’s only sack? A coverage takedown by defensive end Chris Kelsay for a loss of just one yard. Undoubtedly, failing to generate a pass rush against a young, depleted offensive line isn’t ever going to cut it.’

‘Willis McGahee had a career-high 150 yards rushing and Buffalo had 169 yards rushing, but the Jets’ front produced Losman three times.’

‘Turnovers and poor third down efficiency on offense overshadowed career days for Willis McGahee (26 rushed, 150 yards) and Roscoe Parrish (4 catches 104 yards, 1 touchdown) as the Bills watched an early 7-0 lead turn into a 28-20 defeat at the hands of the division rival New York Jets.’

‘In the third quarter, Losman was sacked by Kerry Rhodes and fumbled the ball which was recovered by Victor Hobson and returned for a 32-yard touchdown. The Jets took a commanding 21-10 lead.’

‘New York’s defense did the rest, limiting the Bills to 13 points on five drives inside the New York 30. That included Bobby Hamilton’s critical 9-yard sack of J.P. Losman on a third-and-goal from the 1 that forced the Bills to settle for a field goal early in the fourth quarter.’

‘With the rain coming down, Losman ran for a 12-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 28-20 with just over a minute to play. Andre Davis then recovered the onsides kick for the Bills when linebacker Matt Chatham couldn’t come up with the bouncing ball. However, Buffalo’s comeback ended on Losman’s incomplete pass on 4th-and-3 with 40 seconds on the clock.’

‘Spikes, the Bills starting strong side linebacker, will miss his second straight game with a right hamstring injury. Rookie sixth-round pick Keith Ellison will start at weak side linebacker, with veteran Angelo Crowell moving to the strong side.’

‘”As Willis goes, their offense goes,” Vilma says. “If we give up 150 yards, we don’t stand a very good chance of winning the game. If we can hold him to 40, 50, 60 or 70 yards, I think we have a better chance.”‘

‘Buffalo, 20-13.’

‘Jaworski thinks the Bills are handling Losman well. “They aren’t giving him too much responsibility,” he said. “That’s what should be happening, the defense and the running game being the main thing while he keeps learning. Look what’s happening down in Tampa Bay. Chris Simms, who started just 14 games going into this season, dropped back 56 times last week, 53 passes and three sacks. That’s way too much for his experience.”‘

‘”He’s kind of a soft-spoken guy,” said punter Brian Moorman, Lindell’s holder. “He’ll never speak up about it, but when people start saying stuff about kickers in Buffalo Bills history you think about Scott Norwood, Steve Christie. Rian’s put himself right up there.”‘

‘Ferguson is a little thin and weary, but he looks good. Today, as part of Alumni Weekend, he and members of the 1980-81 Bills will be honored. He will appreciate every moment. “Everything is very, very encouraging,” Ferguson said. “I’m functioning normally. I still can’t run like I want to. But I’ve got my weight back. I’m still working out, lifting weights, stuff like that, but not like I used to.”‘

‘Bills fans who bring their cell phones into the stadium now have a way to report a beer-spilling neighbor or any rowdy behavior, by calling the game-day fan hotline.’