Archives for November 8, 2008

‘Lehman can play both inside and outside linebacker. The Bills had a need for experienced depth linebacker because of injuries to Angelo Crowell, rookie Alvin Bowen and veteran John DiGiorgio. All of them are out for the season. The Bills promoted practice-squad rookie Marcus Buggs to the active roster on Oct. 22.’

‘”You give a lot of credit to Turk and what he has done with the offense,” Evans says. “His knowledge of the game, his calling of the game, his communication with the players during the game, I think that is a big part of it.”‘

‘"I think it’s more mental than anything else," says right tackle Langston Walker, who at 6-foot-7, 360 pounds is the Bills’ biggest offensive lineman since Howard "House" Ballard. "We have to stop making foolish mistakes. And as far as the running game is concerned, we need to go out there with the mindset that we are going to impose our will on the guys we are going up against. We have to line up Sunday with the idea that we are going to kick their asses."’

‘Have hurt themselves by losing divisional games to the Jets and Dolphins which could become critical if a playoff berth is settled via a tiebreaker. Injuries have hurt them of late and, as the weather starts to turn, they will need the running game to step up. Still, if they can right themselves soon, they remain the most likely candidate to unseat the Patriots.’

‘The jury is out, however, on how good the football has been and where the Patriots stand in that mix but, beginning tomorrow, we’ll get an idea. The Bills contest begins three consecutive meetings against AFC East opponents and, by the end of that run, they could well find themselves in familiar territory.’

‘”They really have the ability to win games and control games on special teams,” Belichick said. “It’s an area of the game that we say is important every week, and it’s a third of the game. But with Buffalo, they’re very, very explosive in that phase, and they make a lot of plays in all six phases” – kickoff, kickoff return, field goal, field goal block, punt, and punt return – “and don’t give up very many. The more you watch them in the kicking game, the more appreciation I have for what they do on a week-in, week-out basis. It’s something that doesn’t get a lot of attention.”‘

‘One of Byrd’s proudest accomplishments is being named to the Bills’ 35th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1994. He attends Buffalo’s annual alumni weekend, re-connecting with former teammates such as Kemp and Maguire, and longtime roommate Mike Stratton. “The bottom line is that pro football allowed me to grow,” he said. “I met so many people I never would have met – senators, dignitaries, celebrities. It’s given me so much of what I have.”‘

‘”They really have the ability to win games and control games on special teams,” Belichick said. “Seattle would be a good example of that. They hit a fake field goal against Seattle, ran a fake punt last week, ran a fake punt against Dallas last year, and ran for 40 yards against us a couple years ago when Moorman bobbled a snap. And their punt and kickoff returns are dangerous. “It’s an area of the game that we say is important every week,” he said. “It’s a third of the game, but with Buffalo, they are very explosive in that phase, they make a lot of plays in all six phases and don’t give up very many. The more I watch them in the kicking game, the more appreciation that I have for what they do on a week-in and week-out basis.”‘

Special forces go at it (Boston Globe)

Still some missing links (Boston Globe)

Wes Welker doesn’t let up (Boston Herald)

Westboro’s Byrd one of Bills’ best (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Bills present some ‘special’ problems (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Patriots remain thin at running back, cornerback (AP)

Special Troy Brown display at The Hall (Patriots.com)

Patriots – Bills Injury Report (Patriots.com)

Bills-Pats Keys to the Game; Friday notes (Patriots.com)

Bill Belichick Press Conference (Patriots.com)