Archives for September 23, 2008

‘Police said 25-year-old Matthew Marin may have started his Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium, but it ended in a horrific car accident in Lewiston that claimed his life. Speed and alcohol sent the Sedan careening into a tree Sunday night, leaving the car as crumpled as the empty beer boxes scattered around it.’

‘Against the Raiders, Buffalo was having a tough time getting the ball to Evans, so offensive coordinator Turk Schonert changed philosophy and instructed Edwards to start looking underneath to Reed and Parrish. It worked splendidly as Edwards passed for 177 yards in the fourth quarter and produced 17, the last three coming on Rian Lindell’s last-play field goal.’

‘Once again there was no doubt that the Bills played hard and never quit, which really helped in this game because they had to fight to the end. That’s a credit to Dick Jauron, whom his players love to play for.’

‘Meanwhile, right tackle and ex-Raider Langston Walker was bull-rushed a couple times by Derrick Burgess and looked like he was on roller blades going backward. However, in the fourth quarter the line tightened up and actually wore down the Raiders, allowing the Bills to rally for the victory.’

‘How long has that been? Well, not since former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly was completing the final season of his Hall of Fame career, or when current Bills safety Donte Whitner was 11.’

‘It’s not just that Buffalo is 3-0 – one of only five NFL teams with that record – it’s the way the Bills got there. The last two weeks they’ve come from behind to win in the fourth quarter and shown poise and maturity doing it.’

‘But afterwards it was hard not to sympathize with Oakland head coach Lane Kiffin, whose job has been on the line following a season-opening 41-14 loss to Denver.’

‘And the proof continues to be forthcoming.’

‘Cornerback Terrence McGee nursing a tender back, abdicated his kickoff return chores to rookie first-round draft choice Leodis McKelvin. He responded with a 55-yarder, the Bills’ longest of the season by double.’

‘He’s also a Bills’ season ticket holder, does a number of alumni functions and helps players with investments. “I know I can help these guys,” he said. “They have big targets on them. I played with these guys; it’s a natural transition for me to try to take care of them.”‘