Archives for November 16, 2009

‘Describing the Bills’ familiar place in the standings as also-rans as “embarrassing” and “frustrating,” Schobel wondered “what are we doing?”‘

‘Edwards said he’s going to continue to prepare as if he’s the starter. "There’s no reason why I shouldn’t," he said. "That’s not my decision. I’m not paid to make that decision at all. I’m just going to continue to prepare as I [have been.]"’

‘”There’s a possibility of changes, and we’ll meet on that,” he said. “We talked about those things (Monday) and we’ll talk about those things more (Tuesday) and (Wednesday).”‘

‘Demetrius Bell suffered the injury in the first half of the Bills game against the Titans and did not return. Bell’s likely absence for Sunday’s game means Buffalo could have their fifth different tackle tandem in 10 games this season.’

‘Coach Dick Jauron says further tests are required, but he’s “not optimistic.”‘

‘The Bills are 2-3 in games featuring a Byrd interception, and 2-1 when he records two interceptions.’

‘Running back Fred Jackson lined up at quarterback in the shotgun formation, faked a run up the middle, took one step back and threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Lee Evans. Jackson had taken the snap out of the wildcat on the previous play as well. It was the first Bills touchdown on anopening drive of the game since Week Two against Tampa Bay.’

‘Jairus Byrd made a good diving interception of a Vince Young pass deep down the right seam of the field. It was Byrd’s eighth pickoff in the last five games.’

‘But on first down, veteran guard Seth McKinney was called for a false start, pushing the Bills back to the 16. Trent Edwards was forced to scramble on two of the next three plays, and the Bills settled for a 25-yard Rian Lindell field goal to tie the game, 17-17.Penalties: The Titans had the ball at the Buffalo 40 but then were called for a hold and a false start. They were forced to punt.’

‘And then the floodgates opened. Vincent Fuller and Rod Hood returned interceptions for touchdowns in the final three minutes as the Titans turned the game into a rout.’

‘Titans quarterback Vince Young gave the Bills fits, too. He scrambled five times for 29 yards. He hit 17 of 25 passes for 210 yards with one TD and one interception.’

‘”As receivers we have to assess the defense as well as the quarterback has to assess the defense,” Owens explained. “Josh and I saw the same thing, so we were just trying to get everybody on the same page.”‘

‘Bills coach Dick Jauron blamed the youth up front for the mistakes, but can inexperience be used as an excuse nine games into the season?’

‘Jauron then made an uncharacteristic decision. He pulled Edwards. They were down, 34-17, with 2:54 to go. The game was over. But Jauron doesn’t yank his QB unless things get really bad. Pulling Edwards was a ringing declaration of no-confidence. Jauron accentuated it when asked if Edwards was still his starter.’