Archives for September 27, 2009

‘Everyone was impressed with the offense after two games, today it was time to be impressed by the defense. Unfortunately it came in a losing effort but at least it was a non conference game. There is a chance they can take away a few positives from the loss. The bottom line though is they are 1-2 and they still don’t know how to beat good teams in the Dick Jauron era. Owens looked ready to blow in the locker room after the game and now there is a growing running back controversy with Marshawn Lynch returning. It should be an interesting week at One Bills Drive.’

‘The Bills’ defense held Drew Brees to no touchdowns and just 172 passing yards, but couldn’t stop Pierre Thomas who rushed for 2 touchdowns and 126 yards in the second half.’

‘Edwards finished the day 20-35 for 156 yards and an interception. The Bills quarterback was under pressure for portions of the game as New Orleans blitzed their defensive backs, and they proved effective in getting into Buffalo’s offensive backfield quickly.’

‘Pierre Thomas rushed for 126 yards and a pair of late scores on 14 carries as New Orleans shut down Buffalo, 27-7, at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘The Bills offense sputtered, and Terrell Owens was held without a catch, to end a 185-game streak that had been second longest among active players.;

‘It’s not clear when McKelvin was hurt, though he entered the game with a sore ankle, which he hurt in last week’s 33-20 win over Tampa Bay. The ankle injury prevented McKelvin from handling kickoff returns against the Saints.’

‘Buffalo rookie tight end Shawn Nelson was inactive Sunday because of a strained shoulder, leaving the Bills with just two tight ends for their game against New Orleans.’

‘"I guess I’ve heard it ever since I was in high school," the 6-foot Brees said of the knocks against him. "Certainly as I was not getting recruited by the Texas schools, they could have said he’s too short, too slow, not a strong enough arm, all those things. And then coming out into the NFL you hear some of the same things as well.’

‘The Bills’ defense must get tough when the Saints get inside the 20-yard line. It must play physical with Saints receivers after the catch, something NFC South teams Atlanta and Carolina have done with a bit of success.’

‘They’re 1-1 and should be 2-0. But we’ve seen this before. They beat the teams they’re supposed to beat, but can’t find a way to finish off the real contenders. Beating the Saints would be a big step.’

‘Saints, 34-28.’

‘"I want to apologize to the entire Buffalo Bills organization, from Ralph Wilson to Dick Jauron and to everyone else associated with the team, including the fans," Hargrove said in a statement he prepared this week for The News. "They believed in me and gave me every opportunity to succeed. I just was not healthy enough at the time. It took me reaching the bottom for me to look up and ask God to start helping me through the mess I had made of my life."’

‘”When I watched the tape I thought about that and I said ‘Wow,'” Bills defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said when asked about the comparison to the ’07 Patriots. “It was a day that you just kind of were in awe to a large degree because that offense is so efficient and they are clicking on all cylinders. They do have that powered offense like the Patriots did two years ago.”‘

‘The Bills won’t stop the Saints’ offense, but can they contain it? New Orleans ranks No. 1 in the NFL in yards and points, a nasty combination for an opposing defense. Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell has to decide whether he wants to bring pressure or sit back in coverage. Either way, you have to figure red-hot Drew Brees is going to have an answer.’

‘Many other NFL teams aren’t as fortunate. At least a dozen teams – and maybe more – are in worse shape than Buffalo at the most important position on the field.’