Archives for November 2009

‘That wasn’t entirely the case a year ago when Buffalo kicked off its five-year Toronto series against Miami in front of a crowd that was nearly split in its support at the Rogers Centre. “We’ll see what happens,” said Moorman, whose Bills are re-energized following a 31-14 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.’

‘”Oh man, I didn’t think I was going to score, I thought one guy was going to catch me, but I was huffing and puffing out there for sure. I haven’t run that far in long time,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was a pass play and with the coverage the way I got flushed, we really had the perfect route on because it moved everybody to the other side of the field and there was an opening for me to take off.”‘

‘"I knew the ramifications," Fewell said, "but I thought at that point in time we could turn the tide and I thought that was an important decision."’

‘If Lindell missed – and Lindell had misfired from 44 yards earlier in the game – Miami would get the ball gift-wrapped near midfield. It would be set up for the go-ahead or winning drive. Fewell would be open to ridicule for taking a risk in this coaching no-man’s land and winding up with a pie in his face. He would be Bill Belichick, but without the rings.’

‘Do the Bills have a big effort in store for their interim coach, Perry Fewell, in his home debut? They certainly did. The Bills deserved to win this game, there is no doubt about that. They hung tough during the first three quarters when some things went against them, and then put together their best quarter of the season as all three phases contributed mightily to the victory.’

‘A QUARTERBACKS: Ryan Fitzpatrick was good with his arms and his legs in directing Buffalo to its most points in nine games. Despite the line’s usual struggles, Fitzpatrick threw for 246 yards, including a game-clinching 51-yard TD strike to Terrell Owens and also ran seven times for 50 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown, longest by a Bills quarterback in history.’

‘”We like the energy he brings. We like the newness of what’s going on. Not only on gameday but throughout the course of the week of practice. It’s been a little bit more lively around here.”‘

‘”The great thing about it is the fourth quarter has been our Achilles’ heel,” said Bills linebacker Bryan Scott. “This fourth quarter we were able to … score some points and then light our tails on fire and get after the quarterback.”‘

‘”It’s greatly appreciated,” Jackson said of those who prefer him as the starter. “It’s one of those things that you establish yourself as somebody that can go out and be a starter on a football team. As a player, you appreciate all the love you get from the fans and the media.”‘

‘Fewell has very little chance to be the permanent head man. But I’ll say this: If it’s a long shot, he’s sure going to give it his best shot. Fewell is a bright fellow. That much has been evident from the moment he came to Buffalo as the defensive coordinator under Dick Jauron.’

‘None of this is to say that the Harvard grad automatically qualifies as the Buffalo Bills quarterback of the future. But doubtless he’s the quarterback of the present, the deserving starter, a cerebral sort who brings more to the line of scrimmage than Trent Edwards, the beleaguered player he’s displaced.’

‘”It’s just a matter of hitting it straight, really,” Lindell said. “Especially going that way today [toward the tunnel], it was carrying a little bit more. … When I hit it, I thought “Oh, there we go. I got it,’ and then I was kind of, “I hope I got it.’ But then it went in, so that was nice.”‘

‘Fitzpatrick had another strong game, throwing for 246 yards despite heavy rush. Showed guts calling audible on 51-yard TD bomb to Owens late. Grade: B.’

‘The Bills finally found a team they could dominate in the fourth quarter.’