Archives for September 13, 2009

‘The reality is, the Bills wasted a golden opportunity last season. Nine of Buffalo’s foes a year ago were under .500 in 2007. No such luck this year.’

‘Third-year pro Trent Edwards, 12-11 as a starter, is accurate, but throws way too many checkdowns. He clearly underwent a confidence crisis in preseason. Presumably, Alex Van Pelt, the late replacement for fired offensive coordinator Turk Schonert, will help. Van Pelt is more personable and flexible than his predecessor and has a close relationship with Edwards. It remains to be seen whether commitment to the no-huddle will persuade him to go downfield more often or come close to solving Buffalo’s offensive woes.’

‘”You’ve got to have patience,” said Steve Johnson. “As far as waiting for our turn on Monday night it’s just like any other big game that our veterans have been through in their career. My career it’ll be like waiting for a late game in college. There are going to be a lot of nerves, but that comes with any game.”‘

‘Jimmy Nydahl, from Tonawanda, N.Y., has season tickets dating back to 1961, and has attended every Bills home game since he was eight years old.’

‘"I think that the position I am in, with two years under my belt, with a lot of say in the way this offense goes, a lot of the reason this offense is going to be where it needs to be is because of me," Edwards said this week. "I think that’s a great opportunity for me."’

‘The Buffalo defense looked pretty good in the preseason games. Maybe the Patriots could be coaxed into a boring game in which anything could happen.’

‘So optimistic. So naïve.’

‘While Jauron may be convinced that the Patriots are “awfully good,” throughout the preseason his team’s offense was just plain awful.’

Linebacker plugs the gap (Boston Globe)

Boston: Home of the Patriots once again (Boston Globe)

Seymour finally reports for duty in Oakland (Boston Globe)

Today’s guest speaker: Seau (Boston Globe)

Talk isn’t cheap when it comes to the Patriots (Boston Herald)

Patriots pick things up (Boston Herald)

Vince Wilfork can’t ‘C’ changes (Boston Herald)

Richard Seymour: Grievance is NFLPA’s business (Boston Herald)

Tom Brady has a bunch of fame, but how does he compare to Peyton Manning? (Boston Herald)

Docs say Tom Brady will be in top form (Boston Herald)

Fans forgo Gillette in favor of home’s comforts (Boston Herald)

Brady’s return should be crowning blow for Patriots (Providence Journal)

There’s no defense for a Patriots’ title prediction (Providence Journal)

Seymour Saga ends, as the defensive ends reports to the Raiders (Providence Journal)

Burgess in acclimation process (Metro West Daily News)

From Here to Miami (Lawrence Eagle Tribune)

The not-so-Golden Boy (Lawrence Eagle Tribune)

Belichick hasn’t been perfect either (Lawrence Eagle Tribune)

Patriots players are ready and rarin’ for season opener (Brockton Enterprise)

Buffalo hoping to pick up the pace (Brockton Enterprise)

Seymour deal hurts Patriots (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Class act (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Pats hope Belichick’s latest gamble pays off (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Pats can win while rebuilding (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

How NFL will play out (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

10 questions the Pats must answer (New Bedford Standard Times)

Brady’s back, but who’s on defense? (Manchester Union Leader)

Stepping forward (Portland Press Herald)

Seymour says he’s excited to join Raiders (AP)

Pats D preps for new-look Bills; Sat notes (Patriots.com)

‘While he doesn’t make excuses, Williams points out he played for two head coaches and three offensive line coaches in four seasons in Buffalo. “Let’s look at any job,” Williams said. “If you continue to change bosses and managers, all of whom have different expectations what they want for you and how you need to perform for them, it’s tough to adjust to. Heck, [the Bills] just fired another offensive coordinator. There are a lot of things I could have done better, but vice versa. It’s was just one of those meshes that didn’t really work.”‘

‘Owens also is eager for a strong start in the Monday night spotlight. “My mom says it best: `When the lights come on, then I’m ready to shine,’ ” he said.’