Beast of the East- Week #6

by Mike Scott, Brian Recci, Steve Gibler, Chris Menn

Buffalo Bills

Post Mortem-

Last Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals showed the Buffalo Bills, and us fans, a couple of things. One, the Bengals are no longer a cake walk. Cincy played like they deserved to win that game. Secondly, the Bills aren't quite ready for the next level if they take any team lightly, as they did on this past weekend. It loooked like Buffalo was ready for a practice, or an inter squad scrimmage, and not Sunday football. Just when we thought we fans had witnessed some of the hardest to watch football displayed by the Buffalo Bills this season, we had to sit through Sundays game.

There was a bright moment or two, but they were fleeting at best. The best drive Buffalo could muster happened in the overtime period, when the Bills moved the ball 57 yards in a little over two minutes for the score and the victory. That drive hurt Buffalo when Eric Moulds pulled his groin after a twenty eight yard gain, setting up the winning run from Travis Henry. The price you pay for victory.

Injuries:

Sammy Morris is still out this week, while Eric Moulds is questionable. Gregg Williams says, "Eric Moulds) is doubtful. We'll rest him today and see how it goes throughout the week." Also on the injury front is a question mark around Sam Adams. The team rested Adams for Wednesdays practice, and will reassess him as the week goes on. Williams added, "Sam Adams is questionable and we'll rest him today (Wed) and see if he can't get back in there tomorrow"

In the Huddle

Having a depleted back field is hurting the Buffalo Bills. Travis Henry had a good day last Sunday, but it is plain to see that his ribs are still bothering him. Another cause for adjustment is the possible absence of wide receiver Eric Moulds. Williams said, "He's a quick healer and I know he will work as hard as he can to get back as fast as he can. Injuries are part of this game. We'll have to adapt and go on. But don't count him out." This means Sam Gash, Josh Reed, and Bobby Shaw need to step up to the next level, if the Bills are to beat the Jets. When Drew Bledsoe looks for Reed, he needs to bring it in all the time, and not just every three attempts. The tools are there. The team has what it takes, coaching staff aside.

Looking Ahead

The New York Jets host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday after having a week off, holding a three game winning streak. The last time the Bills met the Jets in the Meadowlands, Buffalo lost 31-13. The teams have split the season series up until last year when the Jets took both games from the Bills.This match up boils down to who wants the victory more. New York doesn't want to look like last years Bengals, and go 0-5 on the season. On the other hand the Bills can't walk into Meadowlands and let the lowly Jets walk over them. If the Bills can walk away from New York with a victory, I think we fans can relax for a little while, at least a couple of days.. If the team can't beat the Jets, then they don't stand a chance of getting anywhere this season.-Mike Scott

Jets Report

Post Mortem-

The Jets had a bye this week with only a couple of things that have happened last week. John Abraham was arrested on a DWI charge for driving his car into a street light and fire hydrant. The good news about that is that he pleaded guilty and will no go to jail but he will lose his license for 90 days and will pay a fine of 330 dollars. The only other thing that had occurred this week was that Chad Pennington had practiced with the team for the first time in 6 weeks since breaking his wrist in the preseason against the Giants. The Jets are looking to bounce back from the loss to Dallas and finally win their first game of the season.

Injury Report

Since there were no major injuries in the Cowboys game the Jets injury list has little change in it since last week. QB Chad Pennington has improved enough to start practicing with the team, but won't play until Oct. 26 or Nov. 2. No word on CB Donnie Abraham's condition so I will assume that he won't return until Nov. 9. WR Wayne Chrebet is probable with a knee injury. LB Jason Glenn and RB Lamont Jordan are probable with an ankle injury. The last injury for the Jets is DE John Abraham with an injured hamstring and an impaired sense of judgment over drinking and driving.

In the Huddle

The defense for the Jets is looking to improve this week in stopping Travis Henry. With the possibility that Moulds might miss the game, the Jets' D is going to be hard-pressed to stop the running game so that Bledsoe will be forced to throw to his other receivers more often. The Jets offense is looking to improve upon the 6 points they scored against Dallas in week 4. WR Santana Moss will get to start over WR Curtis Conway, who had previously dropped many catches over the past couple of weeks that lead to previous loses.

Looking Head

The Jets are looking to get their first win of the season against the struggling Bills who have lost 2 of their last 3 and the Bills are looking to beat the Jets for the first time in over a year. The coaching staff is looking to finally get this team playing like it is suppose to with making a good move of starting WR Santana Moss. This is what they need to have a chance to win this weekend a WR who can catch the ball and make a play after catching it. I think this game will be close due to that Eric Moulds the No. 1 receiver of the Bills might miss the game with a strained groin. So for my prediction for this game: Jets 20 Bills 14 (without Moulds). –Chris Menn

Dolphins Report

Post Mortem:

After defeating the Giants 23-10 Sunday afternoon (quick note: just missed my 27-10 prediction), the Dolphins successfully followed up their impressive Sunday night win over Buffalo with a victory of a completely different manner. Miami's defense stuffed Drew Bledsoe and the passing game against Buffalo, but against the Giants, they surrendered 273 yards passing. Against the Bills, Ricky Williams led a ground attack that punished them and controlled their defense. Quite the contrary in New York last weekend where Ricky only gained 39 yards on 22 carries. Still, a win is a win and the Dolphins remain in first place within their division. Fiedler threw for 167 yards but found 7 different receivers and did a fine job of mixing it up for a struggling Giants defensive backfield. The momentum of Sunday's match went to Miami for good when James McKnight broke free on a 68-yard reverse carry he took from Ricky Williams, who was obviously being keyed on and heavily pursued. Big plays don't seem to be the Fin's style but that particular one couldn't have come at a better time. Norv Turner has kept his offense fairly cut-and-dry all season, and that wrinkle caught the Giants completely off-guard. Only giving up 10 points against a high-powered Giants offense may have been the greatest accomplishment on Sunday, however. With that performance, Miami has moved into a tie with Carolina for the best scoring defense in the entire league, only surrendering 12 points per contest.

Injury Report:

Unfortunately, the Dolphin injury list is long again this week. Fortunately, most, if not all of the injuries are not season threatening. In fact, the majority of players on Miami's injured list are likely to play against the Jaguars this weekend. C Tim Ruddy was originally listed as out for this game but worked out on Monday and says, "In the area where they did the surgery, it feels a lot better." Ruddy's knee may be better and he will provide offensive line depth. DT Tim Bowens may play, and if he does, take notice to his left hand, which will likely require extra padding after he had to have it restitched. LB Junior Seau, who is second on the team in tackles claims, "It definitely is going to be tough to keep me off the field", but he may have to succumb due to a hamstring injury suffered in New York. S Shawn Wooden's ankle again puts him on the questionable list.

Hey, it's nice to see QB Brian Griese putting on his Dolphin's uniform for the first time in the regular season. His status is probable, the best it has been all year. He is joined by a fistful of others on the probable list. They are as follows: LB Brendon Ayanbadejo (Abdomen), DE Jason Taylor (Quad), QB Jay Fiedler (Toe), T Wade Smith (elbow), FB Rob Konrad (knee), and G Jamie Nails (shin).

The Huddle:

Head Coach Dave Wannsteddt has had to field some questions concerning the wide receiver position this week. Although none of his wide-outs had a big day catching the ball, James McKnight's game-breaking run raised some eyebrows and lead some to believe that he may now be the best man for the job at the receiver position opposite Chris Chambers. Wannsteddt spoke publicly however, and announced that Derrius Thompson will remain the team's starter at that position.

Balance has been a big key to Miami's success thus far into the season. Rarely has anyone posted extremely impressive numbers (outside of Williams' Buffalo performance), and the offense is averaging 143.3 per game on the ground and 175.5 yards in the air. They have produced nearly the same point output every game as well scoring 20, 21, 17, and 23 respectively in 4 games.

Speaking of the balance in the Fin's offense so far this season, look for that balance to fall off a bit this week. It has come to the attention of many that Ricky Williams is currently on pace to break the NFL record for carries in a season. This is not such a good thing because it may become very tiring for Williams to continue at this pace. Look for Miami to use him a little less than usual this week against a 1-4 Jacksonville team ranked near the bottom of the league in pass defense.

Coming Up:

Finally, the Dolphins play a game outside of Pro Player Park and Giant Stadium. This Sunday at 1 p.m. the Fins meet state rival Jacksonville who has a new coach a bad record. Jack Del Rio has been under fire for losing games, then benching veteran Mark Brunell in favor of rookie QB Byron Leftwich. Leftwich is good and eager to prove himself, but has been mistake prone.

The last time these two teams met is a day that Dolphin fans won't soon forget. That meeting was of course the 2000 playoff match-up that ended in a 62-7 embarrassment for the Fins. Dolphin fans would love to see some payback in the same stadium where that debacle took place and Dan Marino walked off the field for the final time in a Dolphin jersey. The only other meeting between the two teams was a 1998 victory for Miami.

Jacksonville could very well be 3-2 however. They lost a heart-breaking opener to a solid Carolina Panthers team by one point, and another tough one on a 4th-down final play to the Houston Texans. They should be riding a little higher as they won for the first time against the Chargers last weekend getting Leftwich and Del Rio off the snide. A big question will be if oft-injured Fred Taylor has enough juice to run against a Miami defense that has been impressive all year. My guess is no, he won't. And as for the Jags, no they won't either. The Dolphins are the better team, but aren't one to hang a bunch of points even on an overmatched opponent, making my prediction: Miami: 24 Jacksonville: 14.- Brian Recci

Patriots Report-

Post Mortem-

The Patriots, were a terminally mediocre team who would beat bad teams and lose to good teams and probably finish up with an 8-8/9-7 record…until last Sunday. The Pats were an average team until the AFC Power Tennessee Titans came to town vs. an injury depleted Patriots unit. The Pats were a middle of the road squad when they woke up that fateful Sunday, and when they fell asleep that night, they were playoff contenders. 38-30 and the game wasn’t even that close.

The Pats took it right to the Titans and smacked them in the face and beat them at their own game. Eddie George was held to 51 yards on 2.3 yards a carry. The Pats rushing game ripped it to the Titans as the Pats piled up 167 yards with an over-the-hill RB A-Smith and a washed up bust in RB Mike Cloud. Cloud had a breathtaking 73 yards on 7 carries with 2 TDs (10 yards a carry) as he looked like the second coming of Ladanian Tomlinson running against the 3rd ranked rushing defense in the NFL. Brady completed a pair of long bombs as he put to rest any crap about how he can’t hit the deep pass. And if it wasn’t for a BS call on a Troy Brown special teams runback TD and two Adam V missed Field Goals, the Pats would have put up 50 on the Titans.

Injury Report-

YAY, the longest and most depressing segment of my article. Sit back, this may take a while.

The newcomers are Antowain Smith and Deion Branch while Damien Woody was removed.

That leaves 14 players on the list, nine of which are questionable. The latter group includes Smith (shoulder), Branch (ankle), Kevin Faulk (leg), David Givens (chest), Daniel Graham (shoulder), Ty Law (ankle), Fred McCrary (knee), Willie McGinest (neck) and David Patten (knee). In addition, Adrian Klemm (ankle) and Mike Vrabel (arm) are listed as doubtful while Tom Brady (arm) is probable. Ted Johnson (foot) and Ted Washington remain out. … In the Huddle- Now that we have the longest injury report in the NFL out of the way, lets get on to business. Damian Woody is a center no longer. 5th rounder Dan Koppen has stepped in and is playing some impressive ball. Woody is now fully taking advantage of his talents at guard and that showed up in the running game last Sunday. The Pats are 2nd in sacks in the NFL, an impressive stat as opposed to last years 31 sacks. Bill Belichick put together a great game plan to attack Kevin Carter at DT. By putting Woody on him, it created an immediate mismatch. Also, Kevin Cloud who was a bust for the Chiefs, stepped onto the field and looked like a faster Curtis Martin. He embarrassed Tennessee’s proud defense and ran at 10 yards a carry. A 45 yard run, 17 yard run, a 20 yard TD run where he juked two defenders out of their pants, a key 3rd and short run, and a 1st and goal for a TD were some of the runs he had. This was his 1st game off his 4 game suspension and he really stepped up.

The Pats also started rookies Ty Warren, Bethel Johnson, Eugene Wilson, Asaunte Samuel, and Dan Klecko with good success. Talk about a nice draft class! 1st round underachieve/bust from last year Daniel Graham is hopefully showing some signs of life. Deion Branch, if he started, would be a 1300 yard Pro-Bowl receiver. He has glue for hands, and runs routes to the inch. And when he started last year for an injured Troy Brown, he averaged 100 yards a game as the No. 1 WR.

Coming Up-

The Giants are a good team. I don’t care what anyone says, they are better then the guys that Miami crushed last week. The Pats will have their hands full with a revived and sober Kerry Collins, who has the benefit of handing off to Tiki Barber, and passing to Amani Toomer, Ike Hilliard, and Jeremy “homo” Shockey. However, they have some serious turnover issues with “grease hands” Tiki and Collins occasionally doing Tommy Maddox impressions. The Giants D is amazingly 32nd in the league in yards allowed. This stat does not make any sense to me as the Giants D has looked decent/good during the few times I saw them, but the stats are true true. For all that talent, the Giants just give up mounds of yardage.

The Pats key to this game is deception. The Giants have a weak defense, and the Miami game proved that a solid dose of reverses could really take advantage of a unit that likes to over-pursue. They shut down Ricky, but sacrificed the pass and they were burnt badly. The Giants offense is the X-Factor. They have a mass collection of talent, but they are starting a pair of 7th rounders and a 5th rounder on the O-Line. Like I said before, deception will be key as the Pats will try to first overpower, then mix in stunts and blitzes to confuse and ultimately take advantage, of a well-coached, but talent starved unit. I predicted wrong vs. Tenn. so I will jump back on with the Pats vs. a disappointing Giants team. Game is on Sunday, and for Pete’s sake, NO MORE INJURIES! Later.