September 30, 2007

NFL Sidelines - Week Four

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Brett Favre (farv) sits atop the all-time list of NFL touchdown passes -- and his Green Bay Packers are still among the ranks of the NFL unbeatens. Favre passed Dan Marino on the career TD pass list with two scores in the Packers' 23-16 win over Minnesota.

Favre passes Marino with 421st career touchdown toss

Favre broke Dan Marino's record for career touchdown passes Sunday, zipping No. 421 to Greg Jennings in the first quarter of Green Bay's 23-16 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

Buffalo Bills report card

BILLS BACK ON TRACK

The Buffalo Bills snapped their three-game losing streak, defeating the New York Jets, 17-14, in an AFC East Division match-up on Sunday. Terrence McGee snuffed out the Jets' last hope, intercepting a pass by Chad Pennington at the Bills 31 with six seconds left after Aaron Schobel forced an underthrow by pressuring the New York quarterback.

The Bills Finally Get to Smile

When the Bills selected a Stanford quarterback in this April's draft the late Bill Walsh called Marv Levy to tell him that he'd made an excellent choice. Trent Edwards was a final apple in Walsh's eye and he showed why Walsh was an admirer in a 17-14 victory over the New York Jets.

Bills Q&A: Derrick Dockery

(September 30, 2007) — During the offseason, upgrading the offensive line became Priority No. 1 for the Buffalo Bills. Left guard Derrick Dockery was a major component of the reconstruction project. At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, the native of Lakeview, Texas, is a mountain of a man.

ROOKIE QB ACTS LIKE VETERAN

September 30, 2007 -- ORCHARD PARK - Bills rookie QB Trent Edwards, who was forced into action last week when starter J.P. Losman hurt his knee, has shown immediate leadership and confidence in the huddle, according to some of his teammates. TE Robert Royal, for example, noticed a veteran demeanor in Wednesday's practice, Edwards' first as the starter.

Recap: Buffalo vs. NY Jets

Trent Edwards threw for 234 yards and a touchdown on 22-of-28 completions in his first career start as Buffalo hung on to top the New York Jets, 17-14, in an AFC East matchup at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Marshawn Lynch added 79 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries for the Bills (1-3), who won their first regular-season game since a 21-0 win over Miami last December 17. Lee Evans caught six balls for 72 yards to lead the Buffalo receiving corps and Michael Gaines added a TD catch.

Jets fall 17-14 in Buffalo

ORCHARD PARK - The Jets, seeking to get back to .500, instead fell back to two games under with a 17-14 loss to the Bills today at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Jets (1-3) face the Giants next Sunday with their playoff hopes already dangerously low.

Edwards, Defense Spur Bills Past Jets

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Rookie Trent Edwards gave Buffalo's sputtering offense a spark and, more important, led the Bills to their first victory. Buffalo's banged-up defense proved stout, too, keyed by Terrence McGee's interception that helped seal a 17-14 win over the New York Jets on Sunday.

Bills Knock Off Jets

Orchard Park, NY (9/30/07) - The Buffalo Bills got their first win of the year Sunday afternoon beating the New York Jets 17-14 at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Reliving the glory days of the Bills and the Rockpile

The first thing you notice about what appears to be Jeffrey J. Miller’s literary lifework, “Rockin’ the Rockpile,” subtitled “The Buffalo Bills of the American Football League,” is its heft. At 578 pages it’s Tom Sestak in size. At some six pounds in hardcover form it’s Ron McDole or Jim Dunaway in relative weight.

Edwards leads Bills to win over Jets

Trent Edwards threw for 234 yards and a touchdown on 22-of-28 completions in his first career start as Buffalo hung on to top the New York Jets, 17-14, in an AFC East matchup at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Bills CB Ashton Youboty hurt's ankle and leaves game in first quarter

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- Bills cornerback Ashton Youboty was having X-rays on his ankle after being escorted off the field in the first quarter against the New York Jets, adding to an elongated Bills injury list.

Scout NFL Q&A With Jim Leonhard

Buffalo Bills safety Jim Leonhard was thrust into the starters role unexpectedly in Week 1. All he's done since then is post 25 tackles and two interceptions heading into Week 4. He talked to Scout.com's Ed Thompson about his emergence as a starter and what's going on in Buffalo.

Second-youngest roster puts time on Bills’ side

News flash: The Buffalo Bills are near the top of the league in a significant statistic.

What category is that, you ask, mindful of the fact they are 32nd in both offense and defense?

Youth. The Bills had the third youngest starting lineup on opening day, and they have gotten even younger entering today’s Week Four meeting with the New York Jets.

Bills’ struggles echo the wreckage of 1968

Television football analysts come in a variety of flavors. There are those who conduct a weekly coaching clinic, mystifying large chunks of their audience with windy explanations of sophisticated strategies; masters of the obvious who point out that the sky is blue; the “backwhen- I-played” gang whose stories may be interesting at first but eventually bore.

Rich Gannon, the analyst on the Bills-Patriots game last week, is a member of the most admirable breed, the truth tellers who let the football chips fall where they may.

Bills’ run game the difference in a battle of bad defenses

1. Edwards takes control. With QB J.P. Losman out with a sprained knee, rookie Trent Edwards gets his first start. He has a good arm and a nice feel for the game, but his lack of experience will be tested against a Jets defense that will try to confuse him with different blitzes and coverages. … Offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild might scale down game plan, but Edwards must take shots downfield. … WR Lee Evans is overdue for a breakout game. Buffalo will move him around to get best matchup. … Bills may pick on Jets rookie CB Darrelle Revis, but they must account for S Kerry Rhodes, a force on blitzes.

BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP

Today’s 1 p.m. football game in Orchard Park might be over by 3:30 if the track records of the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets mean anything. A sellout crowd at Ralph Wilson Stadium should expect a lot of clock-eating running plays. The Bills figure to feed the ball to rookie running back Marshawn Lynch, the only effective weapon in the Bills’ offense through three weeks. Lynch’s running would be a great way to take pressure off rookie quarterback Trent Edwards in his first NFL start.The Jets figure to feed the ball to their new weapon, running back Thomas Jones, acquired in an offseason trade with the Chicago Bears. Jones gained 110 yards against Miami last week and has to be expecting another 100-yard day against the worst run defense in the NFL. The Jets are impressed with Lynch.

“He’s a really good back,” said Jets nose tackle C.J. Mosley. “Watching him on film, he has a lot of shake. He’s a fighter. He’s going to fight for every little inch he can get.”

Bills’ woes go back for 100 games

Today marks my 100th regular- season game since taking over as the main Bills columnist upon Larry Felser’s retirement in 2001. As you’re no doubt aware, there have been no postseason games during that stretch.

NFL teams going deep across the borders

Buffalo Bills executives started looking east a decade ago, conscious that the small market couldn't sustain an NFL franchise unless it expanded the fan base to Rochester.

That helped, but it wasn't enough.

GETTING EVEN NOW THE GOAL

The Jets' 0-2 start can be erased by about 4 o'clock this afternoon if they can take care of business and defeat the beaten-up Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

ROOKIE QB ACTS LIKE VETERAN

Bills rookie QB Trent Edwards, who was forced into action last week when starter J.P. Losman hurt his knee, has shown immediate leadership and confidence in the huddle, according to some of his teammates.

TE Robert Royal, for example, noticed a veteran demeanor in Wednesday's practice, Edwards' first as the starter.

Bills Q&A: Derrick Dockery

During the offseason, upgrading the offensive line became Priority No. 1 for the Buffalo Bills.

Left guard Derrick Dockery was a major component of the reconstruction project. At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, the native of Lakeview, Texas, is a mountain of a man.

Bills seek fresh start to season

They rank dead last in the NFL in both offense and defense, injuries have sent seven of their players to the season-ending injured reserve list, and with a record of 0-3 the Buffalo Bills have descended to league laughingstock.

NFL hoping to collar rash of neck injuries

First, the good news: Bills tight end Kevin Everett, who suffered a severe neck injury in Week 1 and experienced paralysis, is doing remarkably well and is expected to walk again. And Texans special-teamer Cedric Killings, who also suffered paralysis after a collision in a game last weekend, walked out of a Houston hospital Friday and visited with teammates.

Jets know to expect the unexpected against the Bills

Nothing can ever be guaranteed when visiting Ralph Wilson Stadium, with the Jets having struggled at the Bills' boisterous facility in recent years.

But Jets center Nick Mangold is sure of one thing. He'll be hoarse tomorrow.

"Even though I don't do a ton of talking on the field, that little amount I do has to be extra loud," Mangold said.

Jets Gameday vs. Bills

When the Jets have the ball: The Jets hope to establish their running game against a banged-up Bills defense behind Thomas Jones, who rushed for 110 yards on 25 carries last week vs. the Dolphins. It'll be interesting to see if the Jets feed him the ball or rotate him with Leon Washington. LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson goes against DE Aaron Schobel, who had three sacks and a forced fumble in their last meeting. QB Chad Pennington (ankle) is ready to play.

Beleaguered Bills ready for Jets

Kevin Everett's spine injury not only is the scariest and most serious of the year in the NFL, but the most symbolic as well.

Everett's Buffalo Bills (0-3) have been decimated by an unfair share of injuries that have them scrambling in an attempt to win their first game today at home against the New York Jets.

September 29, 2007

For Jets defense, 3-4 doesn't add up

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Jets coach Eric Mangini was asked point-blank yesterday if in Year Two of his much-trumpeted 3-4 defense he's still trying to play the complex scheme with 4-3 personnel. Predictably, he dodged the question. If only his blitzing linebackers were as good when it came to eluding blockers and getting to the quarterback.

Bills need to keep drives alive

Rhythm. Continuity. Flow. These are foreign concepts to the Buffalo Bills’ offense through three games of the NFL season. The reason? The offense simply can’t stay on the field.

Jauron pumps up the volume at practice

The Bills used amplified noise during practice Thursday and Friday, something previous Bills head coaches only did before road games. “It’s always good for communication,” Jauron said. “I’d like to do it all the time. Wednesday is probably not a great day to do it. So we generally don’t do it Wednesday because it’s a big teaching day, installing the game plan. Then Thursday and Friday we like to have it.”

Bills QB Edwards underrated

The Bills drafted quarterback Trent Edwards in the third round of April's draft with the intent of having him backup J.P. Losman. Last Sunday, their plans changed.

Game Day Tipsheet: Week 4

Once again we'll be featuring our Game Day Tipsheet every Friday, which will include everything you'll want to know, some things you may not have known and probably a few things you didn't care to know, but find interesting anyway.

Lynch has opportunity to test Jets

By definition, Marshawn Lynch will be an NFL rookie for another three months.

And while Lynch is by no means the vocal leader in the locker room, nor is he afforded preferential veteran treatment, he is feeling a little more at home with the Buffalo Bills. For one thing, veterans no longer ignore him.

Bad luck Bills hope Jets are ticket to turnaround

Pinned on the bulletin board at the entrance of the Buffalo Bills' locker room is the poem, 'Don't You Quit,' a sign of inspiration and a reminder of the adversity the team has already faced.

In a season that's so far been defined by injuries and morale-busting losses, the Bills are desperately searching to find any semblance of positive perspective after an 0-3 start and with the AFC East-rival New York Jets coming to town Sunday.

The Drill: Q&A with Jim Leonhard

The former Wisconsin safety was the only undrafted free agent to make the Buffalo Bills roster in 2005. He played primarily on special teams until Week 1 of this season, when Ko Simpson went down with an injury, propelling Leonhard into the starting lineup. In that Week 1 game, Leonhard had a team-high 13 tackles as well as an interception. After three games, Leonhard is tied for second on the team in tackles and owns both of Buffalo's interceptions. He spoke with JSOnline sports producer Dave Heller:

Bills' Losman out with knee injury

Buffalo Bills starting quarterback J.P. Losman will not play Sunday against the New York Jets.

Losman suffered a sprained left knee in the opening quarter of last week's 38-7 loss at New England.

September 28, 2007

Jets a Big Test for Bills’ Rookie Quarterback

Six weeks before his old friend Bill Walsh died in July, Buffalo General Manager Marv Levy phoned him.

As their conversation wound down, Levy recalled, Walsh said, “Marv, by the way, you’ve got one whale of a quarterback in Trent.”

Bills report: Inside slant

Trent Edwards said he's a big fan of J.P. Losman. Replacing him as the Bills starting quarterback isn't on his mind, he said, beating the New York Jets Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium is.

But while all that may be true, the rookie out of Stanford has been handed a rare early chance in his career to show his coaches, teammates, fans and media if indeed he's got the makings of becoming a productive NFL quarterback, and maybe even a star. Do the latter and replacing Losman, whose career is stuck in neutral, will happen by nature running its course.

Bills report: Strategy and personnel

The decision to place LB Paul Posluszny (broken forearm) and OL Jason Whittle (hamstring) on season-ending injured reserve is what happens when a boat springs multiple leaks.

Bills report: Notes, quotes

After J.P. Losman sprained his knee in the loss to New England, the Bills had no choice but to put a call into veteran Craig Nall, who they cut coming out of training camp after electing to carry just two quarterbacks. Nall said coach Dick Jauron was less than forthcoming with him about his future with the team and left with a sour taste in his mouth after getting just 19 pass attempts in the preseason as the club concentrated on preparing rookie Trent Edwards to be the No. 2 man.

Jets have 10 return TDs vs. Bills in last 10 years

The Jets have proven they don't need to rely on their offense to score against the Bills. In the last 10 seasons, the Jets have 10 returns of various kinds for touchdowns against Buffalo. The last one was linebacker Victor Hobson's 32-yard fumble recovery after a Kerry Rhodes sack in Orchard Park last September.

Young, Bulluck, Scaife visit hurt Bill in hospital

Given a chance to go anywhere they wanted during their bye weekend, three Titans spent the first part of it in Houston on Thursday night with injured Bills tight end Kevin Everett.

Quarterback Vince Young, linebacker Keith Bulluck and tight end Bo Scaife visited Everett at Houston's Memorial Hermann hospital, where he's spending the next part of his recovery from a life-threatening spinal cord injury.

Beefed-up Bills could be trouble with ground game

It didn't take a gridiron genius to figure out what type of team the Buffalo Bills were trying to build in the off-season when they signed left guard Derrick Dockery and right tackle Langston Walker -- both unrestricted free agents -- for a combined $74 million.

And if bigger is better, the Bills got some bang for a considerable amount of bucks.

Losman On Wilfork: He Got Off Easy

Not long after New England defensive tackle Vince Wilfork was fined $12,000 by the league for his late hit that buckled J.P. Losman's left knee on the first play from scrimmage last Sunday, Bills players were questioning the severity of the penalty.

The victim in the incident isn't sure the punishment fit the crime.

How Low Can the Bills Go; Everett Now Already an Afterthought

Neck Injuries a Disturbing Reality

Linebacker Omar Gaither stood in front of his locker in the Philadelphia Eagles' locker room early this season, pulling on his gear to head out to practice. Moments earlier, a chilling replay of the tackle that left Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett with a life-threatening spinal cord injury on the NFL's opening weekend played on a nearby television. But Gaither didn't notice and neither, it seemed, did any of his teammates.

Bills are NFL's best bargain

If following a winless football team can be considered a bargain, the Buffalo Bills are it.

Team Marketing Report says the Bills, off to an 0-3 start, retain the lowest average ticket prices among the National Football League's 32 franchises for the fourth consecutive year.

Chicago-based TMR reports in its annual "Fan Cost Index" the Bills average ticket cost -- based on a weighted average of season ticket prices and not including premium seating -- is $46.46 in 2007. That is up 12.5 percent from 2006 and the third-largest hike year-over-year among all teams.

BUFFALO TEST FOR JETS

Chad Pennington looks to lead the New York Jets back to .500 on Sunday when they visit the Buffalo Bills in an AFC East contest.

The veteran quarterback shook off an ankle injury last week to pass for two touchdowns and run for another as the Jets recorded their first win of the season with a 31-28 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

The Bills are due

After losing three starters to trades or free agency during the offseason, nobody expected the Buffalo Bills to sport 2007’s dominant defense.

And then the injuries started.

Starting defensive backs Ko Simpson and Jason Webster, already on the season-ending injured reserve list, were joined by standout rookie middle linebacker Paul Posluszny, who broke his forearm in Sunday’s loss to the Patriots [team stats].

Wilfork hit with $12,500 fine by NFL

Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork is good at shedding blockers. Now he's trying to shed the notion that his hit last Sunday on Buffalo Bills quarterback J.P. Losman, a blow that resulted in a $12,500 fine yesterday from the NFL, was a dirty play.

Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator deals with injury deluge

Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Perry Fewell has almost reached the point where he needs to take attendance at daily meetings.

Not to see which players are not there, but to see which ones are.

Players are coming and going so fast at One Bills Drive that Fewell might start requiring name tags, yet despite the remarkable spate of injuries that has created a ridiculously difficult predicament for the Buffalo defense, Fewell has somehow managed to remain upbeat.

Donn Esmonde: Disconnect from the Bills comes early

It is three games into the Buffalo Bills season, and already I cannot take any more.

When do we get a decent pro football team in this town? What have we done to deserve this emotional abuse?

It is obvious that, barring a near-miracle, the 0-3 Bills are going nowhere. The quarterback who was supposed to lead us somewhere was lost without a compass even before he got hurt.

Wilfork: ‘I didn’t try to hurt’ J.P.

New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork says he wants Buffalo fans to know he never intended to injure Bills quarterback J.P. Losman.

Wilfork described the hit that gave Losman a sprained knee as an accident.

“I respect the game and I love the game too much to be a dirty player,” Wilfork told The Buffalo News on Thursday. “That wasn’t intentional. I didn’t try to hurt him.”

Nall swallows pride but is glad to have a job

Quarterback Craig Nall wasn’t happy when the Buffalo Bills cut him at the end of the preseason. He also wasn’t thrilled that his playing time was cut short because the team wanted to give rookie Trent Edwards more snaps.

When J.P. Losman went down with a sprained knee, the Bills asked Nall to return as Edwards’ backup.

Edwards gets up to speed

Trent Edwards came to the Buffalo Bills armed with a stack of testimonials, including one from the late, great Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh.

One of the most astute talent evaluators the game has ever known, Walsh once described Edwards as a “great” quarterback with a natural throwing motion and terrific leadership skills.

Snap judgment: Bills’ offense needs to produce

Q: Shouldn’t the New England fiasco indirectly take some pressure off of J.P. Losman? Trent Edwards had a predictably Losman-like day. It’s obvious that regardless of who starts, our passing game’s problems aren’t all the quarterback’s fault because we lack a No. 2 receiver or tight end, and both Lynch and the reshuffled line are working out the kinks.

A lot of fans want Losman on the bench permanently, but I think he’s an adequate veteran with a difficult and often thankless job in Buffalo, and I don’t want to see Edwards’ growth stunted if he’s thrown to the wolves. — Justin Vernold, Buffalo A: I have two reactions:

September 27, 2007

Everett heading to Houston; Doctor says he'll try to stand on his own soon

Kevin Everett will be transferred Friday morning to a Houston hospital to begin the next phase of his rehabilitation, less than two weeks after the Buffalo Bills tight end sustained a life-threatening spinal cord injury.

And doctors said Thursday they believe he will be walking within weeks - perhaps sooner.

Bills CB McGee expected to return to play against Jets

Bills cornerback Terrence McGee worked out fully for a second straight practice Thursday and is expected to play Sunday, when Buffalo hosts the New York Jets.

McGee missed last week's 38-7 loss at New England because of sore ribs, and his return is the first positive news for a banged-up defense that's lost numerous players to injury, including three starters on season-ending injured reserve.

Mesi dedicates Oct. 12th fight to injured Buffalo Bills lineman Kevin Everett

Unbeaten “Baby” Joe Mesi has dedicated his CES debut on October 12 to injured Buffalo Bills lineman Kevin Everett, while Shannon Miller has vowed to upset Mesi in their 10-round main event in “Clash Of The Titans,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., continuing “The Budweiser Night at the Fights” series at Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island..

Patriots' Wilfork fined $12,000 for hit on Losman

The NFL has fined New England Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork $12,000 for his low, late hit on Buffalo Bills quarterback J.P. Losman, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

Losman sprained his left knee during the play and is expected to miss at least two weeks. Wilfork was penalized on the play in the Patriots' 38-7 win.

Jerry Sullivan: Schobel feels heat for lack of pressure

Aaron Schobel has never been at ease in front of a microphone or notebook. After games, Schobel is usually the first Bill to leave the locker room, before the doors have been opened to reporters. This year, for the first time, Schobel has been a regular at Wednesday media conferences. But he doesn’t relish the exercise.

Bare Bones Defense

With so many regulars out on defense for the Bills, defensive coordinator Perry Fewell has taken a relatively simple defensive scheme and made it as basic as feasibly possible. With so many new additions to the defense, in order to get players to still execute consistently and play fast Fewell has had to dramatically scale back the volume of his play calls for his game plan.

Butler Is Where He Wanted To Be

Jerametrius Butler was released by the St. Louis Rams on June 6th as the team decided they wanted to go with more youth at cornerback. Unemployed as a free agent when most of the league's teams had already made most of their offseason acquisitions, Butler thought about where he would like to land.

Where have you gone, Lee Evans?

Through three games this season, Buffalo's No. 1 wide receiver, Lee Evans, has shockingly been a non-factor in the Bills' 32nd-ranked offense, adding just five catches for 29 yards, zero touchdowns and only one first-down grab.

Rookie Edwards has chance to grab Bills' starting QB job

When the Buffalo Bills used a third-round pick on former Stanford quarterback Trent Edwards in last April's draft, the belief was that he'd only see the field in an emergency situation this season. Well, an emergency has already arisen.

Time is Now for Bills Rookie QB Edwards, Fairchild

Let us make this clear right from the get-go: for all their early-season struggles, the Buffalo Bills undeniably and irrevocably remain J.P. Losman's football team. Despite his sprained knee that will likely keep him out until after the Week Six bye, there is very little chance that he'll keep his seat on the bench once he's healthy and ready to return. This remains Losman's make-or-break year, regardless of how poorly he's played in the two full games he's gotten. That needed to be clarified first.

Jets aware of Bills' strong points

After listening to Jets coach Eric Mangini and his players heap praise on the injury-decimated and winless Buffalo Bills yesterday, insisting this was no gimme game, you came away thinking this 0-3 Bills team is a cross between the 1985 Chicago Bears and Bill Belichick's Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots teams.

Bills rookie QB Edwards not overwhelmed with first start

Trent Edwards got veteran tight end Robert Royal's attention -- and respect -- the minute the rookie Buffalo Bills quarterback stepped into the huddle during practice Wednesday.

Simple math subtracts Everett’s name from stall

The Buffalo Bills have a space crunch in their locker room due to all their injuries, and the team has removed Kevin Everett’s name from his stall in the locker room.

Challenge adds fire to Fewell

It’s safe to assume New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington will not be facing the most exotic defensive looks he ever has seen when he comes to Buffalo on Sunday.

Buffalo Bills Head Coach Dick Jauron, 9.26

On the morale of the team…

We’re lucky we have a really good group of guys. They continue to work all the time. Naturally, everybody’s a little bit down because of how things have gone so far this year. It’s certainly not what we had hoped for. It’s really a solid group and they like each other. They’re not afraid to work hard. They continue to be optimistic and hopefully we’ll just keep working and find a way out of this.

Mangini and Jets: Beware of Bills

The way Eric Mangini and the New York Jets raved about the Buffalo Bills, you'd think they were planning to face the undefeated 1972 Dolphins.

During his news conference Wednesday, Mangini went on and on about how dangerous Buffalo's offense can be, how disruptive the defense is and how exceptional the special teams are.

ABOUT THE BILLS

Coach
Dick Jauron, second season (7-12)
Last week
Lost to the Patriots, 38-7

Jets still believe Buffalo will break out

The Jets may be more optimistic about the Bills than the Bills.

While the downtrodden Buffalo team is off to an 0-3 start, at the bottom of the league in both offense and defense, and facing so many injuries that guys who were on the street two weeks ago are in the starting lineup, the Jets are convinced that the Bills are a slumbering juggernaut.

OVERDUE BILLS

It's very easy to be seduced by the statistics when you look at the decimated and dominated Bills, the Jets' opponent Sunday in Buffalo.

Bills notes: Whittle on IR; roster shuffles continue

The Bills made another set of roster moves Wednesday, continuing a trend that has been prevalent since the start of the regular season.

Nall is glad he got the call

Quarterback Craig Nall admitted Wednesday that what he felt at the end of the preseason when the Bills surprisingly cut him was not anger, or sadness, or disappointment, but shock.

Edwards braces for early test

 Bills quarterback Trent Edwards is entitled to a pass for his rather unproductive NFL debut last week against New England.

Hiring Cowher would be a coup for Bills

If Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson genuinely hopes to see his team win a Super Bowl, he should aggressively pursue Bill Cowher as coach and whatever other titles the former Pittsburgh Steelers coach might demand.

September 26, 2007

Jets not taking winless, banged-up Bills lightly

The way Eric Mangini and the New York Jets raved about the Buffalo Bills, you'd think they were planning to face the undefeated 1972 Dolphins.

During his news conference Wednesday, Mangini went on and on about how dangerous Buffalo's offence can be, how disruptive the defence is and how exceptional the special teams are.  "Across the board, they present problems," Mangini said. "And it's a difficult place to play."

Bills' revolving door claims TE Everett's locker

 The Buffalo Bills have gone through so many players already that they ran out of space in their locker room. And that meant clearing out Kevin Everett's locker -- something coach Dick Jauron said a week earlier wouldn't happen.

Lynch Earning Respect

Rookies in the National Football League are often paid very little mind by the veterans in the locker room. They haven't earned their stripes until they've endured the rigors of a 16-week NFL schedule. But Bills top pick Marshawn Lynch is quickly making progress in earning the respect of the veterans in Buffalo's locker room after just three games.

Wednesday Notebook: Losman’s Knee Improving

J.P. Losman's limp was a little less noticeable on Wednesday as he made his way out to the practice field to watch Trent Edwards and Craig Nall take the reps at practice. Head coach Dick Jauron said the Bills training staff is encouraged just a few days removed from the dirty hit last Sunday that led to his sprained MCL.

Joe latest addition to Bills' starting defense

The New York Jets will have to dig deep into their pro personnel files to get a handle on all of the Buffalo Bills this week.

 

That's not a good thing for the Bills.

Bills by the Numbers

Buffalo Bills by the numbers against New England where there were actually some positives.

 

Brian Moorman's 70 yard punt, out of his own end zone no less, was the third longest of his career. He hit an 80 yarder three years ago. Moorman is getting plenty of work. His 17 punts are the third most in the NFL.

NY Jets (1-2) at Buffalo (0-3)

With Chad Pennington back behind center, the New York Jets earned their first win of the season last weekend.

Pennington and the Jets now look to take advantage of a battered Buffalo Bills defense when the AFC East foes meet on Sunday.

OL Whittle to I-R, LB Harrison Signed

The roster turnover continues at One Bills Drive. Two days after linebacker Paul Posluszny became the fifth player to be placed on injured reserve since the close of the preseason, offensive lineman Jason Whittle became the sixth on Wednesday.

Injury Card Overplayed in Buffalo; Where's the Offense?

Heading into this season it was the offense that was supposed to be the Bills’ big hurrah. In spite of equally lackluster offensive preseason performances, Jauron assured Bills fans that they were really withholding how good the team was for purposes of secrecy so that no one would know what was really in store. Good thing too, or the team would not have sold out nearly as many games had they suspected that the "real McCoy" was covered with mold. Defensively just about everyone expected a regression in play from last season, at least initially, given the departure of seasoned veterans

Injuries continue to mount for Bills

The injury bug that has plagued the Buffalo Bills since the start of this season just won't go away.

First it was reserve tight end Kevin Everett going down in Week 1 with a scary cervical spine injury. Then it was a number of starting players on the defense who got hurt. Now you can add starting quarterback J.P. Losman and rookie middle linebacker Paul Posluszny to the list.

Losman went down in the first quarter with a sprained MCL in his left knee after throwing just one pass for four yards during Sunday's embarrassing 38-7 loss to the New England Patriots Sunday Gillette Stadium. Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork rushed in and made contact with Losman after he completed a pass to rookie running back Marshawn Lynch. Wilfork was penalized 15 yards for the late hit.

Opportunity knocks

Coming out of a small college as an undrafted free agent last year, John DiGiorgio never envisioned making an NFL roster, let alone becoming a starter.

“Just getting an opportunity to get into training camp,” he said. “I never even thought about getting on the field for defense.”

A year later, DiGiorgio was competing with rookie Paul Posluszny for the middle linebacker job throughout training camp, and his first career start comes on the heels of Posluszny suffering a broken arm.

POLLOCK: Losman's injury an opportunity

You know that phrase "Be careful what you wish for?"

Buffalo Bills' fans are wondering about it right now.

For two weeks, they watched J.P. Losman struggle at quarterback with increasing frustration and the dissatisfaction crested a week ago in a 26-3 loss at Pittsburgh.

But those restless fans got their wish on the Bills' opening series Sunday in Foxborough.

September 25, 2007

Bills report: Strategy and personnel

REPORT CARD VS. PATRIOTS

PASSING OFFENSE
D -- The plan going into New England was to open up the offense, use more four-wide sets, and let J.P. Losman try to make some plays downfield.

Bills report: Inside slant

The Bills have reached the breaking point with injuries. They are so decimated on the defensive side of the ball that two players who were signed a week ago saw playing time against the Patriots -- cornerback Bryan Scott and linebacker Leon Joe.

Bills report: Notes, quotes

Quarterback J.P. Losman questioned the hit by New England defensive tackle Vince Wilfork that strained a ligament in his left knee and forced him to the sideline after the first series. Losman will likely be out at least the next two games against the Jets and Cowboys.

Bills Sign CB Butler; Release Scobey

Finishing last week's game with just three healthy cornerbacks and Terrence McGee anything but a lock to play this Sunday, Buffalo signed cornerback Jerametrius Butler Tuesday to add some veteran experience to the secondary.

Tailgate Party to Take Place Prior to MNF Game

 More than 13 years have passed since an NFL game was played on Monday night in Ralph Wilson Stadium. In two weeks, Bills fans will finally get the long-awaited opportunity to celebrate Monday Night Football-style.

Maintaining Morale

As Paul Posluszny was being tended to by athletic trainers early in the second quarter Sunday, the sound system at Gillette Stadium began playing the Chaka Khan classic 'Tell Me Something Good.' Unfortunately for the Bills there was anything but good news.

Overwhelmed by Pats’ passing fancy

An explosive offense against a defense weakened by injuries makes for a classic mismatch. That’s exactly what played out Sunday as the Buffalo Bills got run out of Gillette Stadium by the vaunted New England Patriots, 38-7.

Injury may hurt Losman in long term

The Bills returned from New England a battered and beaten team, desperate for a win. There are only two major issues for discussion at the moment. One, are they the worst team in the NFL? And two, who is the long-term answer at the quarterback position?

Injuries and losses beginning to pile up for unlucky Bills

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — With everything that's gone wrong for the Buffalo Bills so far, Larry Tripplett knew better than to answer a question about whether things could get worse.

Bills' Everett still showing signs of improvement

Dr. Teodoro Castillo, his attending physician at Memorial Hermann hospital, says Everett lifted his right arm slightly and sat up in bed for four hours over the weekend. That was by far the longest he's been able to sit up.

Is this worst Bills team in recent memory?

Leo: Wow, we're really biting off something to chew on, because the Bills' history vault is filled with a lot more sinners than winners. What team do we dig up?

Sal: Well, let's see here. There were the one-win specials in 1968 and 1971 of Harvey Johnson, those two-win beauties in 1976 under Lou Saban and Jim Ringo, and 1984 and '85 under Kay Stephenson and Hank Bullough. Or one of my favorites from more recent history, Gregg Williams' memorable three-win team in 2001?

Leo: The way things are unraveling...

Bills QB Edwards gets his shot — early

It was supposed to be a year when Trent Edwards would sit back, watch J.P. Losman operate what everyone thought was going to be an exciting and productive Buffalo Bills offense, and learn what life in the NFL is all about.

Instead, on Sunday afternoon at New England's Gillette Stadium, Edwards began living that life — thrust into action against the dynastic Patriots when Losman suffered a knee injury on the first play of Buffalo's 38-7 loss.

With Losman hurt, Bills re-sign QB Nall

It was another manic Monday for the Buffalo Bills, who seem to be making roster moves about as often as they fail to convert on third downs.

The Bills re-signed quarterback Craig Nall to a one-year contract, three weeks after they had released him at the close of the preseason, to serve as the backup for rookie Trent Edwards.

September 24, 2007

QB Nall Returns, Poz Placed On Injured Reserve

....To make room on the roster for Nall the Bills placed Paul Posluszny on injured reserve after he broke both bones in his forearm. The move ends Posluszny's rookie season after just three games. He was scheduled to have surgery Monday afternoon.

Musings: Ready or not, Edwards is now starting QB

There were many Bills fans chirping last week that Trent Edwards should move ahead of J.P. Losman on the depth chart. Well, they got their wish Sunday when Losman suffered a knee injury on the first play of Buffalo's 38-7 spanking in New England.

All I can say is "Be careful what you wish for."

Bills bring back Nall to back up Edwards

Quarterback Craig Nall is back with the Buffalo Bills after agreeing to a one-year contract today, three weeks after the team cut him.

The move came a day after Bills starter J.P. Losman sprained his left knee in the first series of a 38-7 loss at New England. Losman is expected to miss as many as two weeks, and Buffalo doesn’t have a backup behind rookie third-round draft pick Trent Edwards, who is expected to start Sunday, when the Bills host the New York Jets.

Everett sat up in bed, slightly lifted right arm over weekend

Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett continues to show improvement two weeks after a life-threatening injury to his spinal cord during a game.

Dr. Teodoro Castillo, his attending physician at Memorial Hermann hospital, says Everett lifted his right arm slightly and sat up in bed for four hours over the weekend. That was by far the longest he's been able to sit up.

Agent says Bills sign QB Craig Nall

The Buffalo Bills reached a one-year agreement with quarterback Craig Nall on Monday, according to his agent, Robb Nelson.

Bills Face Tough Uphill Battle as a Franchise

Losman, Poz Injured In Blowout Loss To Patriots

Buffalo's injury-depleted roster lost two more starters Sunday as the Patriots overcame another slow start at home against the Bills to win going away 38-7.

Bills battered, beaten

Gripping a set of crutches firmly in his hands, J.P. Losman wore a brace on his left knee and a scowl on his face.

The Buffalo Bills quarterback had just been asked about the hit delivered by beefy New England Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork on the first play from scrimmage, a blow that left Losman with a sprained knee.

Posluszny slated for surgery today on broken arm

The Buffalo Bills, who had already lost starting quarterback J.P. Losman to a sprained left knee, lost another starter when linebacker Paul Posluszny, the former Penn State All-American, was injured early in the second quarter of a 38-7 loss to new England and remained on the field for about 10 minutes. Players from both teams watched intently as a golf cart was brought onto the field, but Posluszny climbed in on his own.

Down for the count

There weren't a whole lot of surprises at Gillette Stadium Sunday afternoon.

The Buffalo Bills were about as outclassed as an NFL team could be in their 38-7 loss to the New England Patriots, and the most broken team in the league broke a little more as quarterback J.P. Losman and linebacker Paul Posluszny succumbed to significant injuries. Sound familiar?

Immediate Reactions

Seriously? Three weeks gone in my game day chronicles, and I'm wondering: There were a lot of listeners/readers who suspected the Bills would fall to 0-3 in their first three games, but did anyone think 0-3 would look like this?

Losman Injured, Is His Career in Buffalo Over?

I'm not much into prognostications, but I'll go out on a limb and say the J.P. Losman era has come to an end. Earlier today, I wondered how long head coach Dick Jauron would go with the former first-round pick if he continued to -- as Fred Smoot might say -- skruggle. Well, Jauron's decision was made a lot easier when, on the first play from scrimmage, Losman was injured.

Buffalo loses Losman, Posluszny

It wasn't enough that the Buffalo Bills suffered a 38-7 defeat at the hands of the New England Patriots on Sunday and fell to 0-3 on the year. They had to lose their starting quarterback and No. 1 middle linebacker, too.

Emotional scars leave players at a loss

You hardly know what to say at a time like this. How do you rip a football team when cruel fate is doing it for you? Every time you turn around, another Bill is falling to the turf, clutching some injured part of his anatomy … that is, when he has the capacity to reach or feel at all.

Bills Receive a beating

Rookie linebacker Paul Posluszny suffered a broken forearm and could miss the rest of the season. Offensive lineman Jason Whittle left the game with a possible torn hamstring. Whittle could also miss the remainder of the season. Cornerback Terrence McGee sat out the game with a rib injury sustained in last week's loss to Pittsburgh.

Bills: Game Reset

Can it get much bleaker than this? The Bills stand at 0-3 and will likely head into Week 4 with the league’s least-productive offense and defense. At this rate, it won’t be long before Bills fans start looking forward to Saturdays so they can start scouting for the April draft.

Mentality of Jauron, Fairchild crippling Bills' offense

The outcome of Sunday's Buffalo Bills game, a 38-7 loss in New England, certainly came as no surprise. After all, the Bills were 16-point underdogs entering the matchup, and once quarterback J.P. Losman sustained a serious knee injury on the second play of the game, the team's chances of winning essentially went up in flames.

Bills LB Posluszny Leaves Game

Buffalo Bills linebacker Paul Posluszny left Sunday's 38-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the second quarter.

Buffalo Bills Report Card

Quarterbacks: You can’t knock J.P. Losman for his performance in this one. On the first play he was felled by a borderline cheap shot blow to his left knee by Pats DT Vince Wilfork. He will be out at least a couple weeks. Rookie Trent Edwards made a dazzling debut with a 12-play, 80-yard TD drive and the words “Quarterback controversy” could be heard all over western New York. Not so fast. Edwards produced 104 yards of offense after that drive in the final three quarters. GRADE: C.

Losman suffers knee injury

Buffalo Bills starting quarterback J.P. Losman suffered a sprained left knee in the opening quarter of Sunday's 38-7 loss at New England.

J.P. Losman replaced by Trent Edwards as Buffalo Bills quarterback

Buffalo quarterback J.P. Losman sat at his locker after Sunday's game against the New England Patriots, grunting in pain as he reached for his shower sandals.

Patriots vs. Bills: Game Notes

The New England Patriots move to 3-0 on the season with a 38-7 win over the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. The follow are notes from the game.

September 23, 2007

Rebuffing the Bills

This rushing attack is very difficult to defend. Option A is Laurence Maroney. There were questions about whether the 5-foot-11-inch, 215-pound Maroney could hold up as a featured back because of his upright running style and his penchant for finishing his runs by punishing defenders (something he no doubt learned from Corey Dillon).

Moorman flourishes with Bills

A couple of years ago, as Sedgwick's Brian Moorman was having his first Pro Bowl season as the Buffalo Bills' punter, a high school friend sent him a reminder of more humble times -- punting statistics from Moorman's sophomore year at Sedgwick.

"I averaged 15 yards a kick," Moorman said. "I think my friend, Scott McGinn, got a real kick out of finding those."

Lynch could be the answer for Pats defensive bag of tricks

1. Take handcuffs off. Bills’ passing game has been too conservative. QB J.P. Losman wants to be more aggressive and throw deep to WRs Lee Evans, Peerless Price and Roscoe Parrish. Will offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild let him? … Patriots will show blitz on many passing downs, but usually rush only four. But they try to keep offenses guessing which four are rushing. … Patriots will mix coverages, pressing receivers at times and dropping into zones, to try to confuse Losman into making mistakes or hold ball long enough for pass rush to get to him. .… Bills should look to isolate Marshawn Lynch on linebackers, who aren’t quick enough to cover him.

THE EVIL EMPIRE

“Oh for the ’70s” is the ultimate losing lament for long-time Buffalo Bills fans. It is the catch phrase for the Bills’ longest losing streak against one opponent – 20 straight defeats at the hands of the Miami Dolphins.

Bills’ defense should get a share of blame

Some of my recent e-mails on J.P. Losman have begun humming an old, familiar refrain – one that was all too common during the worst days of Rob Johnson and Drew Bledsoe. Many Bills fans aren’t so much interested in defending their beleaguered quarterback as reminding me that it’s not all his fault. That much is obvious. Football is the ultimate team game. One man is never solely responsible for a team’s fortunes, although the quarterback position is the most vital and difficult in the sport. Until you get the QB right, you’ll never be a consistent playoff contender.

Power Rankings /By Mark Gaughan

1 New England Patriots: James McCord, Bernard Barker, Eugenio Martinez, Virgilio Gonzalez found on Pats’ payroll. (1)

Early Bills had to duck when Ramsey’s fuse blew

There were players coached by Buster Ramsey who used to claim that he was too tough to die. Last Sunday he proved them wrong. He died in a Tennessee nursing home at the age of 87.

Wilfork once had his bags packed to come to Buffalo

New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork thought he was coming to Buffalo in the 2004 draft, and he couldn’t wait to get here.

Bills struggling

The New England Patriots aren't expecting a letdown after winning a game for their embattled coach.

It probably wouldn't make a difference if they did.

Belichick in need of redemption

With the arrival of coach Bill Belichick in 2000 and quarterback Tom Brady's emergence in 2001, the Buffalo Bills have consistently been outclassed by the New England Patriots.

Bills need flawless game to upset Patriots

If it's true that everybody loves the underdog, then the Buffalo Bills will be a popular team to root for today.

September 22, 2007

Bills/Patriots: What to Watch For

The going gets tougher for the Buffalo Bills in Week 3 of the NFL regular season, as the winless team travels to New England to take on the unbeaten and vastly talented Patriots. After a tough two weeks for the Bills, finger-pointing has begun in the Bills' fan base, and anything less than a competitive showing Sunday will only further those tactics.

Under Center with HOF QB Jim Kelly: Week 3

Everyone has heard the rumbling of J.P. Losman saying the coaches need to open up the offense more and maybe that's indeed what the Bills need to do. But the bottom line is if the play is there J.P. still needs to make it. In the first two games he had some opportunities and he hasn't made it happen. He's not playing well and I'm sure when he watches the film he can see the throws that he should have made. I do agree the offense needs to open it up and give J.P. every opportunity to move this offense, and if that doesn't work I'm sure there will be changes, hopefully sooner than later.

Re-armed Brady scary good

NFL fans marveled at the fact that Tom Brady got the New England Patriots within a minute of the Super Bowl last year with castoffs such as Reche Caldwell, Doug Gabriel and Jabar Gaffney as his wide receiving targets.

Patriots take nothing for granted in game against winless Bills

The New England Patriots aren't expecting a letdown after winning a game for their embattled coach.

It probably wouldn't make a difference if they did.

Brady's not bragging

He's completing a mind-boggling 80 percent of his passes — an early indication that he's obsessed with erasing the disappointment of last season's playoff loss and adding a fourth Super Bowl ring to his jewelry collection.

Bills Continue Tough Stretch in New England

For a team that has endured its share of hard times already this season, the Buffalo Bills don't figure to get any breaks again in Week 3, when the dispirited club will travel to Gillette Stadium for Sunday's matchup with the powerful New England Patriots.

Game Day Tipsheet: Week 3

Once again we'll be featuring our Game Day Tipsheet, which will include everything you'll want to know, some things you may not have known and probably a few things you didn't care to know, but find interesting anyway.

September 21, 2007

Bills' Everett Moves to Texas Hospital

Kevin Everett was transferred Friday to a Houston hospital to begin the next phase of his rehabilitation, less than two weeks after the Buffalo Bills tight end sustained a life-threatening spinal cord injury. The ambulance that took Everett to Houston's Memorial Hermann Hospital was followed by a town car with two women inside, both wearing Everett jerseys. The women got out and watched as he was wheeled into the medical center.

Bills CB McGee limited in practice, questionable vs. Patriots

Buffalo Bills cornerback Terrence McGee is questionable for Sunday's game at New England because of a rib injury.

Help coming soon for depleted defense

The Buffalo Bills’ short-handed defense figures to get some help soon from players returning from injuries.

 

Defensive end Ryan Denney (broken foot) and linebackers Keith Ellison (high ankle sprain) and Coy Wire (torn knee ligament) could be back after the Bills’ bye week, which ends Oct. 14.

Bills hurting in secondary

The Buffalo Bills are hobbling in the defensive secondary, and this is not a good week for pass coverage problems.

 

Starting cornerbacks Terrence McGee and Ashton Youboty both are listed as questionable for the Bills heading into Sunday's game against New England. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is completing 80 percent of his passes and his team is scoring 38 ppg.

Bob DiCesare: The day of judgment looms for J.P.

It’s not always the quarterback who dictates the attitude of a football team and becomes the catalyst in establishing its identity. Certainly linebacker Lawrence Taylor epitomized what the New York Giants were all about. Ray Lewis is the man in Baltimore. Jim McMahon’s eccentricities lent a certain flair to Chicago’s Super Bowl championship team but those Bears saw the game through the intense, intimidating eyes of Mike Singletary.

Defense in for stiffest test yet

The Buffalo Bills have faced a couple of good offenses in their first two games, but they haven’t seen anything yet.

 

Next up for the Bills’ injury-depleted defense is the New England Patriots, who may have the NFL’s most complete offense.

Bills report: Inside slant

Bills quarterback J.P. Losman hasn't had much success against the New England Patriots during his short NFL career. In the wake of "Spygate," he's beginning to wonder how come.

Bills report: Strategy and personnel

The Buffalo's 31st-ranked defense, already blitzed for 890 yards, does figure to get better when key players begin returning from injury.

Bills report: Notes, quotes

The Bills, who rank 27th in passing yards allowed at 267.5 yards per game, somehow have to find a way to contain New England's new trio of productive receivers.

Kevin Everett in Houston for treatment

It is a big day for the Buffalo Bills’ tight end Kevin Everett. He returned home to Houston Friday to start his next step in the road to recovery after suffering a debilitating spinal injury. Houston is where Everett calls home in his off season and according to his mother, he wants to be home.

Sales of injured player's No. 85 shirts to benefit medical research

T-shirts on sale to honor injured Buffalo Bills football player Kevin Everett are selling quickly in western New York.

Big underdog Bills need right mind-set

Based on what has happened during the first two weeks of the NFL season, the Bills seemingly have no chance to compete with the Patriots, let alone beat them. On paper, it's a complete mismatch in just about every phase.

But that doesn't mean the Bills are going to the suburbs of Boston to look at the leaves, which are just starting to change color. They haven't chucked their playbooks into the trash this week and given up.

Prognosis good for Bills’ Everett

Kevin Everett will be transferred this morning to a Houston hospital to begin the next phase of his rehabilitation, less than two weeks after the Buffalo Bills tight end sustained a life-threatening spinal cord injury.

And doctors said Thursday they believe he will be walking within weeks — perhaps sooner.

Patriots take nothing for granted in game against winless Bills

Fresh off a pair of dominating 38-14 wins over two of last season's playoff teams, the Patriots will welcome on Sunday the winless Buffalo Bills, a team hit hard by injuries and offensive ineptitude.

"There's no doubt that we need to play a lot more consistently in every area to have any chance to play with the Patriots," Buffalo coach Dick Jauron said. "They're awfully talented."

September 20, 2007

Bills offense needs to do more talking on the field

There was plenty of talking going on following Buffalo's 26-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. What offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild would prefer is that somebody start doing some playing, beginning Sunday when the Bills travel to New England to take on the mighty Patriots.

Players' association chief Upshaw meets with injured Everett

Two days after being grilled at a congressional hearing on the NFL's pension and disability policies in Washington, Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw traveled to Buffalo and had what he called an "inspiring" visit with injured Bills player Kevin Everett.

Losman tells team it needs ‘an attitude’

Buffalo Bills quarterback J.P. Losman told his teammates they can not afford to think like underdogs this week when they go to New England to face the mighty Patriots.

Bill's offense is all about execution

Buffalo Bills assistant coach Steve Fairchild admits the execution of his offense has been poor so far this season.

 

To borrow an old football joke, however, he’s not in favor of his offense’s execution.

Everett’s Mother Confident In Son’s Determination

The past 11 days for Patricia Dugas, the mother of Kevin Everett, have been challenging to say the least. Seeing her son suffer his cervical spine injury on live television was a traumatic experience.

"I was scared," Dugas said. "I was worried to death. I was talking to the TV saying, 'Kevin get up.' And then I thought, I've got to get to him."

Schobel Wants Wins Not Stats

Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel isn't one to mince words. He's blunt. The pass rusher will give it to you straight whether it's what you want to hear or not.

But as direct as Schobel is with his words it was still a bit surprising to hear how Buffalo's lack of success against the Patriots has affected him.

Everett’s care ensured by Bills, players union

Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett won’t play football again, but the players union and the team are making sure he will be taken care of when he leaves the hospital.

Everett's doctor says Bills tight end could be walking in weeks, if not sooner

Kevin Everett's doctor plans to have him stand up on his own soon, and believes the Bills tight end will be walking within weeks -- or sooner.

 

 

"Soon, in Buffalo or in Houston, they're going to stand him up," Dr. Barth Green told The Associated Press, shortly after discussing Everett's condition with Bills orthopedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Cappuccino. "They're very confident he'll be walking very soon & in the next days or weeks, not months."

Everett stays integral part of Bills

 Kevin Everett is never far from the thoughts of his Buffalo Bills teammates.

Ten days after the 25-year-old tight end suffered a spinal cord injury against the Denver Broncos that threatened his life and likely ended his career, the team has yet to clear out his locker stall at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Everett's No. 85 jersey still hangs in place and his nameplate remains attached.

Buffalo not worried by 'spies'

 All of the hullabaloo surrounding New England being accused of cheating by videotaping opposing coaches giving signals has not infiltrated the Buffalo locker room.

While coach Dick Jauron said he's always paranoid about the opposing team stealing signals, he said he makes sure the signals are changed to prevent sign-stealing.

Patriots play Bills in AFC East tilt in Foxborough

The Patriots return to AFC East divisional play this weekend, hosting the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. New England has begun the 2007 season with back-to-back victories and will seek to start the season with a 3-0 record for just the seventh time in the franchise's 48-year history and for the first time since 2004.

Bills Patriots Preview

With controversy still looming over their franchise, the New England Patriots continue to look like the best team in the NFL. The Patriots will try for a third straight dominating performance and an eighth consecutive victory over the struggling Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

Bills teammates happy knowing Everett making significant strides in recovery

Robert Royal has mixed emotions as Buffalo Bills teammate Kevin Everett prepares to be transferred to a Houston hospital to continue his rehabilitation from a life-threatening spinal-cord injury. "I feel like his brother, so I'm going to be kind of heartbroken," Royal said Wednesday.

Fox joins Buffalo practice squad

Dustin Fox was signed to the Buffalo Bills practice squad Wednesday, rejoining the NFL after being released Sept. 1 by the Philadelphia Eagles.

September 19, 2007

Bowled Over
Steelers 26 Bills 3

Game Center | Play by Play | Drive Charts | Team Stats | Photos

T-SHIRT FUNDRAISER: Sales support Kevin Everett and Miami paralysis project

“Dream and Believe,” the slogan that helped raise $35,000 for the American Cancer Society through the revival of the Buffalo Sabres, is now working for spinal cord research.

Advantage Physical Therapy of Davison Road is selling Kevin Everett No. 85 T-shirts to raise money for the Miami Project. Everett is the Buffalo Bills tight end who suffered a serious spinal injury in the opening game of the NFL season while tackling the Denver Broncos' Domenik Hixon.

Bills Add Fox To Practice Squad

With the Bills precariously close to having a dangerous shortage at cornerback the club signed free agent Dustin Fox to their practice squad Wednesday.

The former third-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings (2005) was most recently with the Philadelphia Eagles. He spent most of last season on the Eagles practice squad, though he was briefly called up to the active roster for two weeks appearing in one game.

For the Bills, playing the Steelers is only one of many worries

Somehow, the Buffalo Bills must get back to playing games.

No doubt it would have been difficult enough Sunday for the Bills to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in new coach Mike Tomlin's home debut, in a city where they've won once since O.J. Simpson was carrying the ball.

But this game will be excruciatingly tough, as difficult as any that an NFL team has played in years, following a week filled with so much heartache, worry, setback and disappointment.

POLLOCK: Whether he likes it or not, Losman’s part of problem

Only two games into the season, it’s hard not to conclude the Buffalo Bills are in trouble.

Start with quarterback J.P. Losman.

None of the encouraging play he showed at the end of last season has carried over.

In fact, his passer rating is 20 points lower this year than it was after two games last season when he struggled early.

Ditka uses Everett as example

Injuries to Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett underscore the need to improve benefits for retired players battling disabilities, Pro Football Hall of Fame member Mike Ditka told U.S. lawmakers Tuesday.

Ditka said the injuries to Everett, who fell to the ground motionless after a tackle in the Bills’ Sept. 9 season opener, demonstrate that retired National Football League players need more help than that offered other disabled workers.

Buster Ramsey dead at 87

Garrard “Buster” Ramsey, the bombastic, sometimes profane and always colorful first head coach of the Buffalo Bills, died Sunday in Signal Mountain, Tenn., his family announced Tuesday.

Ramsey, 87, died of pneumonia in a Chattanooga-area retirement center.

Ramsey was a successful defensive assistant coach with the Detroit Lions when Ralph Wilson brought him to the Bills in 1960. The Bills needed a trainer, and Ramsey remembered a young man at the University of Detroit who worked at the Lions’ training camp each summer. He hired Ed Abramoski, who stayed 36 seasons.

Everett may go to Texas this weekend for rehab

Kevin Everett could be transferred to a Houston hospital by this weekend to begin the next phase of his rehabilitation, a person close to the family told the Associated Press on Tuesday.

“That’s the plan that probably by the end of the week, if progress remains the same, he’ll be transferred back to Houston,” said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the status of the Buffalo Bills tight end.

September 18, 2007

Kevin Everett's mom hopeful of Bills player's recovery

Patricia Dugas reached out, touched Kevin Everett's arm and asked her son if he could feel her hand. Everett - lying in a hospital bed, barely awake and hooked to life support systems - nodded yes.

‘‘I can't even explain it to you, he's like a miracle,'' Dugas said, her voice breaking in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

Everett Injury Highlights Needs of Disabled Players, Ditka Says

Injuries to Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett underscore the need to improve benefits for retired players battling disabilities, Pro Football Hall of Fame member Mike Ditka told U.S. lawmakers today.

Ditka said the injuries to Everett, who fell to the ground motionless after a tackle in the Bills' Sept. 9 season opener, demonstrate that retired National Football League players need more help than that offered other disabled workers.

Notebook: McCargo, J.D. and 2nd Down Struggles

A very short-handed defense in terms of depth and healthy personnel the past two weeks has had some bright spots despite giving up sizable amounts of yardage.

Fans, Media Seem Perplexed by Bills Play; Why?

NHL Announces New Year’s Day Game at RWS

The NHL officially announced that the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins will be playing at Ralph Wilson Stadium on New Year's Day in what is being called the NHL Winter Classic.

"There is something very special about taking hockey out into the elements, back to its roots, back to the place where so many boys and girls first learned to love our game," said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. "Our last outdoor game took place on November 22, 2003. We were overdue for another one."

 

 

J.P. says he wasn't finger-pointing

Buffalo quarterback J.P. Losman claimed on Monday that he wasn't pointing the finger or absolving himself of blame for the Bills' woeful offensive performance in Pittsburgh.

Losman made some pointed comments in the locker room Sunday following the 26-3 Bills loss to the Steelers, seemingly calling into question the perceived conservative play calling of coordinator Steve Fairchild.

Bills replay: Can Patriots name their score?

Sal: Sure they can, and I have no doubt that Bill Belicheat will show no mercy on the hapless Bills. After the week he's just had, he's going to be even more ornery than usual and what the Patriots did to a very good San Diego team on national TV Sunday is only the beginning of the destruction they're going to wreak.

Leo: The Patriots are one of the best teams in the league and the Bills are one of the worst. After watching Tom Brady and Randy Moss toy with the Chargers defense while we were enjoying our post-game meal in a Pittsburgh pub, it's easy to predict an ugly day for Buffalo in Foxboro.

Steelers made too many big plays

The Buffalo Bills’ defense did what it could to slow down the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. But the Steelers’ explosive attack managed to do a lot of damage during their 26-3 rout.

Pittsburgh had seven plays of 20 or more yards, most of them passes against a Bills secondary that played so deep it allowed receivers to find open areas over the middle.

Everett showing more gains

Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett continued making progress over the weekend, including increased strength in his legs and movement in his extremities, according to team physician Dr. John Marzo.

Everett remained in the intensive- care unit in Millard Fillmore Hospital, where he has been treated since undergoing surgery for a spinal-cord injury suffered Sept. 9 against the Denver Broncos. He was examined Sunday by Dr. Andrew Cappuccino, who helped perform the surgery the evening of the injury.

Losman gives his side again

J.P. Losman could be years away from matching Jim Kelly’s production on the field, but he is approaching the Hall of Fame passer in one respect. The Buffalo Bills quarterback used his gathering with the media on Monday to clear up what he said during his postgame news conference Sunday.

POLLOCK: Time is getting close for a QB change in Buffalo

If the game had been played in Buffalo, the calls for Trent Edwards would have started late in the first half.

To be sure, the Bills have their share of offensive issues. But you could do worse than start with the quarterback.

Sunday afternoon's 26-3 loss to the Steelers at soldout Heinz Field was predictable.

Steelers give Bills a crushing loss

What did you expect?

The Buffalo Bills were reeling from a crushing, one-point, last-play defeat by Denver a week earlier, plus the loss of four players - tight end Kevin Everett, who ducked potential paralysis - including three defensive starters, and ripe to be plucked. But there was a frustrating aspect to Sunday's 26-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday afternoon at soldout Heinz Field.

Tough homecoming for Posluszny

Notes from the Bills' 26-3 loss to the Steelers on Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field:

- Buffalo rookie middle linebacker Paul Posluszny, who grew up in the Pittsburgh suburbs, had a game-high 12 tackles. But afterward, he admitted, "It was great being home, seeing the city and seeing the area, it's the first time I played here during the day. I played two night games here (for Hopewell High in the PIAA playoffs), so it was nice to see that view in the daytime. (But) you would rather have a win any day of the week, regardless of how you play. Winning is obviously the most important thing.

QB Losman switches gears, blames media for trying to divide Bills

First, quarterback J.P. Losman questioned whether the Buffalo Bills needed a more aggressive attack to spark what's been an inept offense.

Now, he's found a new target for what's gone wrong: The media.

September 17, 2007

Musings: Bills offense showing no signs of life

To a man Sunday afternoon the Buffalo Bills downplayed the emotional rollercoaster they rode this past week.

No, they all said, the concern for teammate Kevin Everett and his battle to fight back from a spinal cord injury, the loss of three defensive players to injury, and the heartbreaking way in which they lost to Denver in the season opener did not affect their performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.

Losman reaches critical point

The Pittsburgh Steelers were aptly named 75 years ago, paying homage to the city's foremost industry at the time.

If they renamed the team today it might be the Pittsburgh Bankers or Pittsburgh Bayer Aspirins or Pittsburgh Heinz Ketchups. But they would still play the same. Tough. Rugged. Intimidating.

Bills offense can't get on track in Pittsburgh

There is no one who can fault the effort that the Buffalo Bills gave Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field.

And no one will deny — even though the Bills tried their best to do so — that the traumatic events of the past week took at least a little bit of a toll on them physically, mentally and spiritually.

J.P. Losman: ‘I’m my harshest critic’

Buffalo Bills quarterback J.P. Losman said he’s more than willing to accept blame for his team’s 0-2 start and that his intention wasn’t to call out teammates and the coaching staff after Sunday’s dismal performance in Pittsburgh.

Bills' Everett can move both hands, showing greater strength in legs

Kevin Everett is showing some movement in both hands and greater strength in his leg muscles, further positive signs for the Buffalo Bills tight end following a life-threatening spinal-cord injury.

Pressure cooked

PITTSBURGH — It’s official: The Buffalo Bills’ offense has not picked up where it left off last season. It has picked up where it started last season.

Another clunker starts Losman’s clock ticking

PITTSBURGH — Look on the bright side. Between now and Sunday, the NFL might impose further discipline on Bill Belichick for signstealing and make the Patriots play defense against the Bills with one hand tied behind their backs.

Everett’s mom an angel of hope

She arrived at Millard Fillmore Hospital dressed in her Sunday best, which in Buffalo during autumn means a red Bills sweat shirt and jeans. Kevin Everett’s mother has been in Western New York for a full week since he suffered a spinal cord injury that threatened his life and ended his football career.

Parker leads Steelers over listless Bills

The Buffalo Bills were desperate to honour injured teammate Kevin Everett by giving him an unexpected get-well present, a road victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Emotion, heart and enthusiasm took them only so far on a day their offence went nowhere.

NFL notebook

Brett Favre didn't need a rocket arm to become the winningest quarterback in NFL history on Sunday. His 17 years of experience were plenty. "Maybe someday down the road it will mean a lot," a typically humble Favre said after the 149th win of his career, 35-13 over the New York Giants, moved him past John Elway.

September 16, 2007

Kevin Everett healthy enough to watch Bills on TV from hospital room

Falling in and out of sleep in his hospital bed, Bills tight end Kevin Everett was well enough to watch part of Buffalo's 26-3 loss to Pittsburgh on TV, Sunday, a week after he sustained a life-threatening spinal-cord injury.

One week after injury, Everett watches Bills fall to Steelers

Falling in and out of sleep in his hospital bed, Bills tight end Kevin Everett was well enough to watch part of Buffalo's 26-3 loss to Pittsburgh on TV, Sunday, a week after he sustained a life-threatening spinal-cord injury

Emotion can't carry Bills; Steelers roll

Emotion, heart and enthusiasm took the Buffalo Bills a long way. Unfortunately for them, their offense couldn't help.

Willie Parker ran for a touchdown and 126 yards and Ben Roethlisberger threw for a score as the Pittsburgh Steelers controlled the clock and the tempo while pulling away from Buffalo for a 26-3 victory Sunday. It was the Bills' first game since tight end Kevin Everett badly injured his spinal cord.

Everything gets back to Losman

The other day, for entertainment purposes only, I put together a list of the Bills’ offensive coordinators during my 19 years in Buffalo. Tom Clements, Kevin Gilbride, Mike Sheppard, Joe Pendry … it was a virtual rogue’s gallery. I had to go back to Ted Marchibroda to find a guy who wasn’t reviled here.

Bills need to do some deep thinking

Some opinions formed while trying to keep pace with the best part of the sports calendar as football sprints out of the starting gate, the baseball races reach a climax and hockey sharpens its skates . . . With a large portion of their defensive unit listed as lame or halt, the Bills’ deep thinkers need to allow J.P. Losman to at least probe the middle of Pittsburgh’s portion of the field today. Conservative is one thing, but last week’s offensive game plan against Denver was downright timid.

NFL Power Poll: Week 1 injuries were brutal

The first week of the season was one in which several teams lost players for the season because of injuries. The worst was the spinal cord injury sustained by Buffalo tight end Kevin Everett, who was severely hurt when he ducked his head while making a tackle on Domenik Hixon of the Denver Broncos.

INJURY REPORT

BUFFALO BILLS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS - Bills: OUT: DE Ryan Denney (foot), LB Keith Ellison (ankle), TE Kevin Everett (neck), S Ko Simpson (ankle), CB Jason Webster (forearm), LB Coy Wire (knee). QUESTIONABLE: WR Josh Reed (thigh). Steelers: OUT: LB Marquis Cooper (hamstring).

Players on offense spend little prep time tackling

(September 15, 2007) — ORCHARD PARK — For players on offense who spend time covering kicks on special teams, one of the most basic elements of football is rarely practiced once the season begins. Tackling at full speed never takes place on the NFL practice field.

Battered Bills are limping into Pittsburgh

(September 16, 2007) — PITTSBURGH — The entire Buffalo Bills' organization — from owner Ralph Wilson right down to the security guard who sits in the little shack at the entrance to One Bills Drive — has endured a difficult and emotional week.

Bills need to unleash wideouts when Steelers release the hounds

Prediction: Despite emotionally draining week, Bills won’t be pushovers. But Steelers will be tough in their home opener. Pittsburgh, 24-16.

Power Rankings

Last week’s ranking in parentheses 1 New England Patriots: “Good coaches borrow; great coaches steal.” — Belichick? (1) 2 Indianapolis Colts: Run defense gets a tougher test from Titans. (2)

Videogate will cause great pain for such little gain

It’s a good thing Bill Belichick isn’t an elected public official. He’s the kind of guy who would abuse his power to stomp all over civil liberties, the Constitution and political enemies.

Splitting the load is in vogue for running backs

In Week One, eight NFL teams had more than one running back with at least 10 carries, and seven of the eight were winners. Even last year’s NFL rushing leader, LaDainian Tomlinson (17 carries, 25 yards), split time with Michael Turner (10-41), but LT should be the main show tonight when the Chargers go to New England.

September 15, 2007

For the Bills, playing the Steelers is only one of many worries

PITTSBURGH - Somehow, the Buffalo Bills must get back to playing games. No doubt it would have been difficult enough Sunday for the Bills to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in new coach Mike Tomlin's home debut, in a city where they've won once since O.J. Simpson was carrying the ball. But this game will be excruciatingly tough, as difficult as any that an NFL team has played in years, following a week filled with so much heartache, worry, setback and disappointment.

Goodell Is Keeping the N.F.L. Inbounds

It has been an unsettling start to the N.F.L. season, with Michael Vick and Bill Belichick eschewing gridiron glory to take their roles in a tawdry version of “Freaks and Geeks.”

Marshawn Lynch Wants You to Know That His Helmet Is Strictly Decorative

After watching the Broncos-Bills game last week, I went searching for some YouTube highlights of Marshawn Lynch's performance. The rookie first-rounder ended the day with 90 rushing yards on 19 carries, including a 23-yard touchdown run (see it here, around the :35 mark) that put Buffalo up 14-6 midway through the second quarter.

Week 2 NFL Prediction