Chargers at Bills last weekend in Orchard Park. Monster LB Shawne Merriman was back raising hell for San Diego, the sackingest defense in the league. Buffalo’s line has had protection problems all year, 32 sacks allowed. How would they handle the pressure?
It’s a far cry from the great wall that the Bills used to mount years ago, the early 1990s, back when Jim Kelly was operating the run-and-gun of that spectacular Buffalo offense. Agile but hammering athletes like Will Wolford and Glenn Parker and Jim Ritcher, the great Kent Hull, even big Howard "House" Ballard, who never fully blossomed because of his battle with the scale, were trapping and drive-blocking and pushing the angry, gnashing hordes away from their quarterback. One of the proudest outfits in the league. Injury-proof, too, and it guarded the way to Buffalo’s four straight Super Bowl runs.
Today, it’s a collection of the obscure.
Left tackle — Jason Peters, an undrafted free-agent from Arkansas, now in his third pro season; Left guard — Mike Gandy, a veteran, disappointing cut by the Bears in ’04; Center — Melvin Fowler, the refugee, his third team in five seasons; Right guard — Duke Preston, first-year starter; Right tackle — Terrance Pennington, a seventh-round rookie out of New Mexico.
How would they fare against one of the most athletic defenses in the league? A recipe for disaster, or would they rise up and give their skill people a few chances to win the game. I’m flipping back through my Buf-SD game notes …
It’s a far cry from the great wall that the Bills used to mount years ago, the early 1990s, back when Jim Kelly was operating the run-and-gun of that spectacular Buffalo offense. Agile but hammering athletes like Will Wolford and Glenn Parker and Jim Ritcher, the great Kent Hull, even big Howard "House" Ballard, who never fully blossomed because of his battle with the scale, were trapping and drive-blocking and pushing the angry, gnashing hordes away from their quarterback. One of the proudest outfits in the league. Injury-proof, too, and it guarded the way to Buffalo’s four straight Super Bowl runs.
Today, it’s a collection of the obscure.
Left tackle — Jason Peters, an undrafted free-agent from Arkansas, now in his third pro season; Left guard — Mike Gandy, a veteran, disappointing cut by the Bears in ’04; Center — Melvin Fowler, the refugee, his third team in five seasons; Right guard — Duke Preston, first-year starter; Right tackle — Terrance Pennington, a seventh-round rookie out of New Mexico.
How would they fare against one of the most athletic defenses in the league? A recipe for disaster, or would they rise up and give their skill people a few chances to win the game. I’m flipping back through my Buf-SD game notes …
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