Archives for November 21, 2006

‘What’s interesting is where some of Losman’s numbers in his third NFL season stand with some of the league’s current elite as well as some recent Hall of Fame quarterbacks when they were going through their third NFL season as well.’

‘”It’s just something I’ve always done,” said Evans the next day. “I like to celebrate with my teammates more than anything. Getting to the end zone is a hard thing, so I want to be with the guys who helped get me there. That’s just how I am.”‘

Losman proved he could perform in the clutch. Now he has to do it against a good team. The Jacksonville Jaguars barely qualify as such, but they figure to provide a stiff challenge on Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Losman’s struggles have made it difficult to keep things in perspective. It’s nice for the team to be competitive on the field, but Losman’s development was the main theme of the season. If he didn’t make progress, it would be hard to qualify the season as a success, regardless of the record.

Evans now has his name in the Bills’ record books, which is impressive considering the Bills’ 47-year history includes such greats as Andre Reed, Eric Moulds and Elbert Dubenion. Jerry Butler had the previous record for most yards receiving in a game, with 255 against the New York Jets on Sept. 23, 1979.

‘"It’s big for a young quarterback," Price said of the comeback. "It builds confidence and it builds character and it prepares him for when we’re in that situation again. J.P. was taking what they were giving, and then when he decided to take a shot at the end zone, he threw a laser, a great ball, and I did a good job of keeping my feet down."’

‘Losman’s patience in taking underneath yardage was a nice contrast to the home run ball and showed his growth. Protection was rock-solid (two sacks) but it helped that Houston DE Mario Williams, the No. 1 pick in the draft, was a shell of a player with a painful foot injury.’

‘Coach Dick Jauron, whose team is 2-1 since the bye week, on being 4-6 and finally winning in come-from-behind fashion: "It means we get Monday off. Maybe that’s part of the exuberance in the locker room. But there’s a learning curve in winning. You learn how to win. And it’s big in that respect. It gives them confidence. If you lose consistently and you get down in a game, there are times in our sport you feel you may never win again, and if you get on a roll, you feel you can’t lose. We’d love to get on one of those rolls, but it’s a step."’

‘Sour grapes aside, Robinson and Kalu were only saying what many people around the NFL, as well as certain pockets of Bills fans, believe: Losman is not an NFL quality quarterback, and the Bills – who haven’t been to the playoffs since 1999 – are still a bottom feeder.’

‘Yes, but before anybody accuses me of jumping back on the J.P. bandwagon, let me say I never hopped off.’

‘”The guy just threw the ball up there and Evans ran under it,” Robinson told the Associated Press.’

‘That’s all speculation, of course, but what’s real, is that at least this game might quiet those who’ve been calling for Craig Nall to get a chance.’

‘These Bills, who have won two of their last three, certainly don’t have the talent of an elite team, but considering the rampant parity in the league, 7-3 actually isn’t miles away.’