Archives for November 3, 2006

‘Al Harris vs. Lee Evans – Green Bay’s top cover corner has been shutting down number one receivers left and right.’

‘"It’s an excellent scheme," said McCarthy. "And I’m happy we’re starting to get the productivity necessary out of that scheme."’

‘”He’s getting healthier every week,” coach Dick Jauron said Friday. “He had a fairly normal week of practice.”‘

‘Green Bay’s current two-game winning streak could be a sign the team is picking up some momentum… or it could merely be a product of playing bad opponents, since their victims have a combined 3-19 record.’

‘”Clearly, we’re not winning as many games as we’d like to win and the focus falls on the quarterback position,” he admitted “J.P.’s handled all that really well. As I’ve said before, I’m not going to say he’s played really well in every game, but I think he’s moving forward and learning from mistakes and I believe he’s going to be a real good quarterback in the league.”‘

‘Packers 23 Bills 17.’

‘”Usually me and him would talk after the season about working hard and trying to get in the starting lineup [in 2007],” Pennington said. “But it’s right here, right now. It’s like, “Wow.’ “‘

‘”I actually liked the defense Buffalo runs,” Pickett said. “That’s the defense I was in the whole time in St. Louis. If I had a choice, that’s the defense I’d prefer because it’s the defense I played in. . . . But I just felt this would be a better fit [overall]. . . . When I was in St. Louis or if I would have gone to Buffalo, I was going to play all nose guard. Here they let me play some three technique, and I’m pretty much playing all left side, and I like that better.”‘

‘In 2005, with the pick they gave away in the J.P. Losman trade, they could have had Dallas defensive end Marcus Spears, Seattle guard/center Chris Spencer or San Diego defensive tackle Luis Castillo (all of whom start). Instead of Roscoe Parrish in the second round, they considered but passed on defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux. He’s not starting in Atlanta. In 2003, they took Willis McGahee 23rd overall. William Joseph, who they were not keen on and who has been a bust with the Giants, went 25th. Eric Steinbach, an excellent guard for Cincinnati, went 33rd. If they had not made the Drew Bledsoe trade, they could have had Ty Warren 13th overall in ’03. He’s starring for the Patriots.’

‘Here’s a fantasy breakdown of the Bills at the closest thing they’ll have to a midseason break…’.

‘”I just liked it here better,” Pickett said. “I liked the atmosphere better and the people better, and I just thought it would be a better fit here.”‘

‘”It has to be total team effort,” said wide receiver Lee Evans, who has been held to one touchdown through seven games. “You can have one or two playmakers, and they have to make plays for you. But it doesn’t mean you’re going to win the game. They may do well statistically, but it doesn’t mean team-wise you win. It’s a team thing. In all three phases for us, more plays have to be made.”‘

‘Volunteers from the Salvation Army, M&T Bank and the Buffalo Jills cheerleaders will aid in the collection.’

‘”We’re happy,” said Nall, who signed a three-year, $4.27 million free-agent contract with the Buffalo Bills this past offseason, a deal that included a $1.3 million signing bonus. “I just wish I was playing.”‘

‘Buffalo’s offensive difficulties are two-fold. First, they haven’t given themselves many opportunities to score with only 15 red-zone possessions through seven games, one more than the league-low. Second, they’ve committed 15 turnovers (nine lost fumbles, six interceptions), which is tied for sixth-highest in the league.’