‘Bills starting left tackle Jonas Jennings will miss the rest of the season because of a broken toe in his right foot.’
BillsBeat - December 3, 2003
Bills' defense closing in on top ranking
‘”We said back in training camp that we wanted to be the No. 1 defense in football,” Bills defensive coordinator Jerry Gray said. “The best thing you can do is go out and play like it, no matter what the circumstances are. You wish that (won-loss) record was totally different, but it’s not. You have to play with what you have. You can’t change the past. The thing we’re trying to do is keep going forward and play one game at a time.”‘
Changing their tune
‘Playoffs for the Jets? It’s still not something to bet the ranch on. Yet heading to cold Buffalo, the players are warming to the idea.’
Jets odds and ends
‘Defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell said the secret to the Jets’ efficient containment of Tennessee’s dangerous offense Monday night was not in being more aggressive with blitzes, but in “executing a lot better.”‘
There's Just Last Stands Remaining for the Jets
‘”He made it plain to us that we would not leave the stadium unless we were 5-7,” Curtis Martin said. “And now we’re 5-7. When our leader stands up and says something, you feel obligated to carry it out. I think we all feed off his fire.”‘
Chad, Jets stayin' alive
‘Referring to Sunday’s game against the Bills (5-7) in Orchard Park, he said, “This is probably the most important game we’re going to play all year.”‘
Herm knows Jets must fly next year
‘”A lot of it is on me, my fault,” he continued. “I’ve got to do a better job. If I don’t, I don’t know. We’ve got to do something. So I’ve got to do a better job with this football team. I know that.”‘
Jet to be determined
‘To those who believe the Jets have used up their supply of miraculous finishes the past two seasons, Ray Mickens offered these defiant words: “We ain’t dead. We’re still playing. We ain’t going to let it die.”‘
Swayne catches big break
‘Edwards, asked which loss this season eats at him most, said, “The first game of the season [in Washington, 16-13]. That was one where if we win that game it kind of propels you in a different direction. The game was tied, it was on the road with all the fanfare, and we had a chance to win it. If we win that game we get a little shot in the arm.”‘
Big Win Can Do Wonders
‘”I’m just glad our head coach had the nerve to tell everybody we were going to win this game,” defensive tackle Josh Evans said.’
Edwards Is a Preacher Man Who's Found His Believers
‘You can say all you want that the Jets are paid to play hard, that they’re professional athletes, that if losing a few games is the worst that ever happened to them, then their lives are pretty blah blah blah. But it’s not easy to do what Edwards has been able to do with the Jets after their 0-4 start this year.’
Jets still clinging to hope
‘The Jets play the Dolphins in Miami on the final Sunday of the season. If either Cincinnati or Baltimore, currently tied for the AFC North lead, and Denver go 2-2 to finish the season 9-7, and the Jets beat Miami, the Jets would clinch the last playoff spot because they’d have a 9-3 conference record and the other teams involved in this complex mess would be 8-4.’
Cottrell has reason for satisfact
‘For only the second time this season the Jets held an opponent to under 100 yards rushing.’
Pennington's memory bank pays big dividends
‘In the past two seasons, Pennington is 11-6 as a starter. He has completed 388 of 571 passes — 67.9 percent — for 4,510 yards, 34 TDs and 12 interceptions. He has a passer rating of 102.7.’
Sidelined Abraham frustrates club
‘Abraham is officially listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game versus Buffalo. He tried to return two weeks ago against Jacksonville and re-injured himself, saying he tried to come back too soon.’