Archives for December 4, 2006

‘The 24-21 final made bettors who had taken the Bills, a six-point underdog, very happy. But it also squelched Buffalo’s long-shot playoff hopes and demonstrated, quite clearly, how silly such thoughts really were.’

‘The Bills have announced that Crowell will be out for the rest of the season and he will likely be placed on injured reserve.’

‘Jauron said Crowell is not expected to have surgery.’

‘Defensive end Aaron Schobel for the second time this season has a three-game sack streak. It’s the fourth straight season in which Schobel has had two three-game sack streaks. The Bills top pass rusher also has a sack streak going at Ralph Wilson Stadium. He has 5.5 sacks in his past four games at home. His second quarter sack of Phillip Rivers Sunday now gives him 9.5 on the season.’

‘"It gives somebody else an opportunity to step up and have a chance to show us what they can do," he said.’

‘"It’s tough for him and tough for us," said Bills head coach Dick Jauron on Monday. "He was playing well and getting more and more comfortable in the scheme. I’m very disappointed about it."’

‘"There are a lot of things I can fall back on based on my history at that position," he said. "My time right now is going to be spent on learning to play the position in our scheme. That’s what I’m going to focus on and I think I can do a good job filling in for Angelo (Crowell)."’

‘”No, we lost the game, bottom line,” tight end Robert Royal said. “It doesn’t matter. We can match up with anybody in this league. It doesn’t matter what the team’s record is. We’ve shown we can compete.”‘

‘The Bills gained 230 yards, ran for just 63, and had four turnovers. Their longest run all day went for 10 yards. Merriman was the catalyst. It was a suffocation from arguably the AFC’s best team (10-2), and Merriman in the lineup merely validated order.’

‘”We knew what their game plan was and I thought we prepared for them,” Bills defensive end Ryan Denney said. “But they were able to bust a few runs on us. That was very frustrating.”‘

‘Not even a dose of temperature shock could save the Bills’ sorry run defense from Tomlinson’s torment. And, given his take on things, it might be the Bills got off easier than would have been the case if a snowy field had further undermined their pursuit.’

‘The game wasn’t as close as it sounds. The Bills are growing up, but talent-wise, they’re not in the same league as the Chargers, who seemed to lose interest when they took a 17-0 lead to the halftime locker room as a light snowfall began to descend on Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘Crowell, who was carrying a walking boot in his hand in the locker room, is optimistic that he’ll practice this week. “It’s a little sore, but I feel good about my chances,” he said. “I’ll be ready to rock.”‘

‘Clements and fellow cornerback Terrence McGee took plenty of heat early in the season for their play in losses at Chicago and Detroit. But since the bye week, Clements in particular has shown the ability that made him the Bills’ franchise player.’

‘But if you’re looking for a summation of the Jauron era in Buffalo, all you need is a snippet from Sunday’s 24-21 loss to the San Diego Chargers: Three timeouts. Eighty-two seconds. Ug-ly.’