Archives for September 2006

‘”I feel good about my personal game,” said Whitner. “I’m very confident in myself.”‘

‘On being prepared: I feel that I’m ready. I’ve been working hard. Like Coach always tells me, if Troy goes down, I’m in there. I prepare every day like I’m the starter.’

‘On how things have changed as the No. 1 receiver: It’s a totally different type of game that I’ve had to play. You’re still playing football, but it’s a different way of playing. Last week, I had to adjust in the second half based on what they did to me in the first half. Once I figured out what they were doing, then I had my opportunities to make plays. The first half was kind of like a chess match, trying to figure out what they wanted to do. In the second half, that’s where I had a chance to find some opportunities.’

‘On the decision to put Vincent on IR signaling a rebuilding year: I don’t know how it would signal that. I have not heard that from anybody. I certainly have never indicated that.’

‘On if he has anything to prove from last year: I don’t even think about last year to tell you the truth. It doesn’t matter what happened – good or bad. It’s a new team, new offense. We have some new players. We have our goals. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing against. We’re out there trying to accomplish what we’re trying to accomplish. Our offense, we have to master that first. Obviously, that’s dictated on what they do. Other than that it’s just straight execution. You can put Xs out there. It really doesn’t matter who it is. It has to be that way every week.’

‘On foreseeing this coming: We talked about it. The doctors evaluated me on Monday. It was, ‘how long will it be? One week? Two weeks?’ And especially with Matt (Bowen) being down, the team needed to bring in some fresh bodies that will be able to perform.’

‘On the way things are this year: Yes. I am loving the way things are here. Coach Jauron is a great coach. We just have to win for him, point blank. Go out there and win, just finish.’

‘Bills QB J.P. Losman completed five of his first six passes, but he finished with relatively harmless numbers (15-of-23 for 164 yards, no TDs, no INTs).’

‘Later this season Reed will be inducted into the Buffalo Bills’ Wall of Fame. Someday, he very well could be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. “Obviously I think about that a little bit,” he said. “I only did what I could between the hashes on the field. How a person judges whether I deserve to be in there or not is up to them. I was a hard worker. My work ethic . . . that’s why I played as long as I did. I had a lot of luck but you have to do the right things for longevity in the NFL. My work ethic drove me every season to be better than the season before.”‘

‘”It’s baffling,” Spikes said. “If you write it down on paper, it spells rebuilding. As much as you don’t want it to be that way, ultimately, that’s the way that it is.”‘

‘McGahee is a rhythm type of runner, so the Dolphins must contain him early on and prevent him from becoming a factor late in the ballgame. As for Evans, he’s one of the most explosive receivers in the league, so there will be no room for error. If the secondary misses an assignment against the former Wisconsin Badger standout, he won’t be caught.’

‘The veteran was placed on “minor” IR, meaning he could return to the league in four to six weeks. However, Vincent is ineligible to play for the Bills again this season. He would have to return as a member of another organization.’

‘Vincent was in his 15th NFL season and third with Buffalo. He switched from cornerback to safety in 2004 after he missed nine games with a knee injury, and last year tied for the team lead with four interceptions.’

‘The Bills now only have three healthy safeties on the roster, Coy Wire, Donte Whitner, and Ko Simpson. Matt Bowen is also on the team, but missed practice again today with a shin injury.’