Archives for September 28, 2009

‘On the Buffalo offence: “Didn’t execute.” On why it didn’t execute: “Did you just watch the game? What do you think?”‘

‘It is not a new problem. Quarterback Trent Edwards has struggled to connect with outside threats this season, and especially with Owens, who had been held to five receptions and 98 yards over his first two games with the Bills.’

‘"I think our defense played great, they kept us in the game the whole time, and we gave them no help," running back Fred Jackson said.’

‘"We tried to mix up our coverages and give the Bills different looks," said Saints cornerback and former Bill Jabari Greer, who covered Owens much of the afternoon and broke up a third-quarter pass intended for Owens that was intercepted by defensive end Will Smith. "It was a total team effort. Coach Williams put a great game plan together and put us in position to make plays up front and on the back end."’

‘This was bad, folks. It was even worse than any of the preseason disasters, because the first-team offense (minus Langston Walker, of course) was out there for the entire game. Trent Edwards, confronted by a team with dynamic linemen and a genuine pass rush, turned back into Captain Checkdown.’

‘The Bills mustered all of 243 yards, went 2 for 14 on third down, and surrendered four sacks of quarterback Trent Edwards as the Saints pressured him with alacrity. The Bills’ longest play of the day came on a 25-yard touchdown connection between punter Brian Moorman and defensive end Ryan Denney off a fake field goal. Only one second-half possession lasted longer than five plays.’

‘Although the Bills limited New Orleans’ passing attack, they had no answer for its running game, which rolled up 222 yards and 5.8 per carry.’

‘Edwards in full Captain Checkdown mode against Saints pressure.’

‘Third down is a win for the New Orleans Saints.’

‘”The NFL is about Sunday, and we weren’t all there today,” said defensive end Chris Kelsay.’

‘Owens is frustrated, that is evident. In three games he has five catches for 98 yards and a TD. He’s had countless halves of games with numbers like that during his magnificent and controversial career.’

‘When you give up 222 yards on the ground, you deserve to lose.’

‘New Orleans Saints assistant coaches aren’t allowed to speak with the media after games and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams wasn’t risking a fine from head coach Sean Peyton. That didn’t prevent Williams from warmly greeting several beat reporters he recognized from his former life as head coach of the Buffalo Bills.’

‘Will Terrell Owens come alive in a game where the Bills need him to be a force? Absolutely not. I’m starting to think TO might stand for Totally Overrated. If a superstar could be any more invisible, I’d like to see it.’

‘Fake field goal was a gusty call to tie the game 7-7 and defensive coordinator Perry Fewell did all he could for three quarters against the NFL’s best offense. As for offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, he was outcoached badly by his Saints counterpart, former Bills head coach Gregg Williams. Twelve total penalties was a bad reflection on Dick Jauron, whose team collapsed in the fourth quarter.’