‘The pair could also draw interest from Buffalo general manager Tom Donahoe, who is expected to fire Gregg Williams this week. While Donahoe is thought to be seeking a candidate with head coaching experience (Jim Haslett?), he has also shown a penchant for picking off Patriots personnel (Drew Bledsoe, Lawyer Milloy, Sam Gash).’
BillsBeat - December 28, 2003
Reversal of fortunes
‘Truth be told, yesterday’s game was over in the first five minutes.’
Brady wastes no time in achieving goal of redemption
‘Brady completed 21 of 32 passes for 204 yards, setting a season-high and matching a career-high with his four TD’s.’
Pats' Givens excels, now that he's been given the opportunity
‘Givens caught seven passes for 80 yards and a touchdown to lead the Patriots corps of receivers in the 31-0 trouncing of Buffalo.’
Loss punctuates Bledsoe's sad year
‘He was supposed to be their savior.’
Surreal day brings closure to Milloy
‘"During the week, I really didn’t think about it too much, but on the way here just driving down the highway, seeing some familiar sites and stuff, it really did start to get weird for me," the safety said following the Bills’ 31-0 loss to New England. "I had to hold back the emotions a little bit. I didn’t want my teammates to see that. It was just a surreal experience."’
Brilliant Patriots upstaged by fruitless A-Rod clamor
‘Yet, in the midst of what has been a stunning and dazzling run, New England fans have been more fixated on whether A-Rod would be coming to Boston than whether the Pats would be going to Houston for the Super Bowl.’
Failure on the first drive left the Bills buffaloed
‘After two Travis Henry runs, the Bills had a first down at its 33. Henry motioned out of the backfield, leaving Drew Bledsoe alone. Obviously, he would throw.’
Two-minute drill
‘ The first-team defense held the Bills to 102 yards through the first three quarters.’
Izzo's special savvy in the clutch saves shutout
‘"You saw the energy," said linebacker Matt Chatham. "In the stadium. On the field. You looked around and 11 guys were jacked. It could have been the first play of the game or the last play of the Super Bowl. It was pride. You had 53 guys who bought into the team thing and the number 31-0 was symbolic. Sticking it to them the way they stuck it to us was important."’
Rough day for Drew and Co.
‘"I couldn’t imagine, especially after the start of the season (wins over New England 31-0 and Jacksonville 38-17), I absolutely couldn’t imagine us being in this situation," said Bledsoe. "Yes, it’s been a very, very, very tough season."’
Brady is undoubtedly the NFL MVP
‘"People talk about Peyton Manning," says fullback Larry Centers, "but it’s not even close."’
The end justifies the means for Pats
‘"Very ironic," said Harrision. Game 1, game 16, same two teams, 62-point turnaround. No irony, just two very different teams over 111 days. "Shows that it’s a long season," said Harrison.’
Coaching window open
‘Tom Donahoe has spoken highly of the Patriots’ coaching this season, and thus, could target Crennel or Weis should he fire Gregg Williams.’
Patriots Clinch Home Field
‘"It was payback, because they humiliated us in Buffalo," safety Rodney Harrison said. "We let it all loose today. We wanted to go out here and make a statement and prove a point. We wanted to return the favor."’