Buffalo Bills News - December 28, 2003

Patriots suddenly on the offensive [7:42 AM]Woonsocket Call reports:
'On Saturday, the Patriots racked up 321 total yards of offense and scored four touchdowns in a 31-0 rout against the Buffalo Bills. And that was against a defense ranked among the top 10 in the league.'

Only a ‘real good’ team can beat a ‘dang good’ one [7:41 AM]Woonsocket Call reports:
'"I wouldn’t want to be the team that has to come here," the kicker said following Saturday’s 31-0 win over Buffalo. "The next team that comes in here and wins is going to have to be a real good team in order to beat a dang good team."'

Revenge sweet for Patriots [7:40 AM]Lowell Sun reports:
'"This was probably the best game we've played all season. It was a good time to do it," said Brady after the 14-2 Patriots secured home-field advantage throughout the upcoming AFC playoffs while September's heroes, the Bills, finished at 6-10.'

Belichick: 'Everybody's 0-0 now' [7:39 AM]Lowell Sun reports:
'Over the Patriots' last six home games heading into the playoffs, the defense has allowed only one touchdown and recorded three shutouts. And home is where the Patriots will be for the AFC playoffs (following an opening-round bye), a fact immediately downplayed by the Patriots yesterday after their rout of the Bills at Gillette Stadium, where New England is 8-0 this season.'

Patriots pay back Bills [7:38 AM]Attleboro Sun Chronicle reports:
'The Buffalo Bills, victors on Sept. 7 in a game that now seems a million years in the past, proved totally incapable of stopping a winning streak that now stands at 12 games as the race for Super Bowl XXXVIII begins in earnest.'

Good day for Brady [7:37 AM]Attleboro Sun Chronicle reports:
'``Charlie (Weis, offensive coordinator) decided early on that he wanted to come out and try to spread them out, and see if they could cover all our guys,'' he said. ``I don't think many teams put four wide receivers on the field, but we took advantage of that opportunity."'

Patriots master the hurry-up [7:36 AM]Attleboro Sun Chronicle reports:
'``Charlie put together a great game plan and we just went out and executed it,'' noted Brady, who was 15-of-18 for 90 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter alone. ``We wanted to get ahead, get off to a fast start and put Buffalo in a position they didn't want to be in. We were able to get ahead and get the momentum from the quick start.'''

Local hero [7:34 AM]Attleboro Sun Chronicle reports:
'Seventy-five military personnel representing the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Massachusetts Army National Guard and Air Guard were recognized by the Patriots' organization for their exemplary service while overseas.'

Oh, sweet revenge [7:33 AM]Brockton Enterprise reports:
'"It was kind of a revenge thing," admitted wide receiver David Givens, whose seven receptions for 80 yards (including a 10-yard touchdown) were team highs. "It's a great feeling to shut them out with the same score they shut us out. It's a weird coincidence, but very fulfilling."'

A merciful end to a merciless year [7:32 AM]Brockton Enterprise reports:
'Two years ago, the good people of Buffalo gave Drew Bledsoe the key to the city. Two years and zero playoff appearances later, they want it back.'

Wilson believes in QB [7:32 AM]Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel reports:
'"There's not much blocking. The whole scheme has to be straightened out. I just think we've got better players than we've shown."'

Donahoe says player not suspended [7:31 AM]AP reports:
'''Ruben didn't play in the game for personal reasons,'' Donahoe said. ''We'll have to deal with it when we get back to Buffalo.'''

Pats earn home-field advantage with rout of Buffalo [7:30 AM]The Sports Network reports:
'"There's obviously a rivalry," said Brady. "You get beat 31-0 and they really started the season the way they wanted and we didn't. Now, you look 15 weeks later and I think we've proved we're a different team than that first day."'

December 27, 2003

Little evidence of tightened security [8:45 PM]AP reports:
'Two police officers with machine guns were stationed at one entrance, but the New England Patriots refused to say if security procedures had been tightened for their game Saturday.'

Bills Lay Down In New England Ending The Season With 31-0 Loss [8:30 PM]WGR-AM reports:
'Very few players showed up and it spelled a 31-0 loss. Ruben Brown got the ball rolling early in the week and was not allowed to play in the game or make the trip by Gregg Williams. All that Williams will say is it's personal reasons. It's a shame the head coach and the organization doesn't feel it owes its fans an explanation on why their eight time Pro Bowler was AWOL.'

Patriots buffalo Bills [8:18 PM]Patriots.com reports:
'“I think for us whenever somebody kicks your butt, if you are completive, if you are a fighter, you are going to come back,” safety Rodney Harrison said. “And regardless if you come out and say it or not, you want revenge. Basically that's what happened with us. They are a tough team. Despite their record, they have a great defense, fourth in the league, I think and the offense is full of talented guys. But the guys on our squad just made a lot of plays.”'

New England 31, Buffalo 0 [6:32 PM]AP reports:
'The Bills (6-10) lost seven of their last nine games in the last game of coach Gregg Williams' three-year contract. He never took them to the playoffs, and an announcement about his future is expected this week.'

New England 31, Buffalo 0 [6:31 PM]Sportsticker reports:
'The season indeed spun full circle for the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills. Just ask Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe.'

Patriots make QB's nervous [12:09 PM]Quincy Patriot Ledger reports:
'The Pats (13-2) are hardly a tonic for what ails Bledsoe, who has thrown for 11 touchdowns and as many interceptions and can't seem to get the Bills offense out of neutral. In fact, the Patriots have made life miserable for opposing QBs all season, limiting them to an NFL-low passer rating of 56.9 and a completion percentage of 53.0, second lowest to Dallas' 48.8.'

Fortune has been reversed [12:04 PM]Nashua Telegraph reports:
'“At times, you know, he’s just pressed too hard,” said Buffalo coach Greg Williams, who, along with Bills offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, is on the hot seat. “He’s tried maybe at times to do too much. But all good players, all top players think, ‘I’m going to put the team on my back and I’m going to overcome everything and win it for my team. Especially at the quarterback position, I think there’s this tendency to do that.”'

Bills-Pats is all about redemption [9:05 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'A loss might be more beneficial to the Bills at this point than a win in that it would improve their draft position. The Bills currently are in a three-way tie for the 11th spot in the draft. A Bills loss and wins by Pittsburgh and the Jets (also at 6-9) would ensure the Bills at least the 11th position.'

Patriots, Bills reverse direction after opener [9:04 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Williams hopes to go out with a win, but that won't be easy. The Bills have not done well on the road this season, failing to score an offensive touchdown in four of their five road losses.'

Endangered species [9:03 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"It's up to Mr. Donahoe and my agent," he said. "If they can come up with a deal then I'll be here. Right now I don't know what they're going to do. I would love to be back."'

Patriots pull a reverse [5:20 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'“It’s the opposite ends,” he said. “God knows what they’re mindset is right now. Early in the year they probably said, ‘We can’t wait to play these guys again.’ Now, it’s probably like, ‘Man, (who cares?)’ But you have to finish the year out. I hate looking back and regretting.”'