Archives for December 4, 2006

‘Barring a miracle of mathematical and biblical proportions, they’re out of the playoffs yet again. Winter has come early for football fans of western New York for years now, a seeming ice age. The Bills haven’t made the playoffs since 1999, haven’t won a playoff game since ’95, two years after their last-century, four-year-in-a-row run to the Super Bowl (all losses, lest ye forget). Until these past two games, the Bills had sold out 27 of 28 games. Begging the question – are things getting better or worse?’

‘NFL Buffalo Bills football legend Steve Tasker will be at the Book Nook in Dunkirk from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday signing copies of his book “Steve Tasker’s Tales from the Buffalo Bills.”‘

Run to daylight (San Diego Union Tribune)

Gates happy to be lending a hand (San Diego Union Tribune)

Team growing into contender role (San Diego Union Tribune)

Fans lit up ‘Lights Out’ (San Diego Union Tribune)

Players say Bills injured Hart with dirty play (San Diego Union Tribune)

Record in sight (San Diego Union Tribune)

Highlights by quarter (San Diego Union Tribune)

Voice of the fans (San Diego Union Tribune)

Photo gallery (San Diego Union Tribune)

Hanging 10 (North County Times)

Merriman makes presence known in return (North County Times)

Chargers report card (North County Times)

Chargers postgame show (North County Times)

Tomlinson stays hot in cold (Los Angeles Times)

Chargers weather storm, claim tenth win (Chargers.com)

Gates’ big day yields only Tomlinson talk (Chargers.com)

Merriman’s return lifts defense (Chargers.com)

Photo gallery (Chargers.com)

‘Although OLB Takeo Spikes has played well, he is not the high-impact player he was before tearing his Achilles’ last season. His big plays are down because he’s usually out on third downs, when he wreaked havoc in the past. As his regains his quickness and lateral movement, he’ll play more on third down.’

‘Perhaps the Bills’ seventh loss of the season was a lesson to general manager Marv Levy, who has certainly put an improved product on the field in his first season at the helm. For the 81-year-old Harvard graduate, the lesson is to find run-stuffers in the off-season and maybe acquire a new running back, one who’s consistently solid on a weekly basis.’

‘The Bills were held to 231 yards offense, and only had one drive in which they produced three first downs.’

‘Crowell was hurt after LaDainian Tomlinson’s 4-yard run on the Chargers’ first possession. The linebacker hopped off the field unable to put any weight on his left foot. Describing the injury as a strained lower leg, the Bills ruled Crowell as out.’

‘Dick Jauron: Grade F: Worst coached game in the Jauron era.’