Die Hard Sports Fan

The Bills unplugged the Chargers to improve to 5-1 on the year, and remain in control of 1^st place in the AFC East.

1st Quarter

The Bills got on the scoreboard (that wasn’t working) first with a field goal by Rian Lindell but Chargers QB Phillip Rivers owned the Bills offense.  He went 10 of 11 for 98 yards and a touchdown.

Chargers up after one, 7-3.

2nd Quarter

The Bills fought back in this quarter as Trent Edwards hooked up with Lee Evans on a fade pattern to the end zone.  Evans caught the ball one handed before getting both feet in.  The Bills also recorded 3 more points on another field goal by Lindell.

Bills go into the tunnel at halftime, up 13-7.

3rd Quarter

The Chargers would battle back to take the lead on a 12 yard TD pass from Rivers to WR Vincent Jackson.  The lead wouldn’t last long though as Marshawn Lynch would get a monster block form Fred Jackson, and Lynch would be able to trot into the end zone for a TD.  

Bills head into the 4^th, now up 20-14.

4th Quarter

No comeback needed in this one for the Bills as they actually had the lead to start the 4^th.  The Bills are able to hold the Chargers to no points in this quarter and add a field goal of their own to hold on and win 23-14.

Wrap Up

The Bills top rush defense held one of the best in the game (LT) to 41 yards on 14 carries.

Trent Edwards went 25 for 30, for 261 yards and 1 TD pass.

On the ground, Lynch had 70 yards, and 1 TD on 19 carries.  Backup Fred Jackson had 9 carries for 33 yards.

In the receving game, Lee Evans caught 8 balls for 89 yards and a TD.  Josh Reed had 3 catches for 32 yards while TE Robert Royal had 4 for 53.  

Greer and Paul Poz led the team in tackles with 8 and 7 respectively.  

The NFL.com Game Center: Post Game is attached.

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The Buffalo Bills will face the San Diego Chargers today at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Broadcast Info:

Game: San Diego Chargers (3-3) @ Buffalo Bills (4-1)
TV: CBS (Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf)
Radio: 97 Rock (Buffalo), 103.3 The EDGE (Buffalo), WHAM 1180 AM (Rochester), WNSS 1260 AM (Syracuse), FAN 590 AM (Toronto). All done by John Murphy, Mark Kelso and Paul Peck on the Bills radio network.
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

FOR BILLS FANS WATCHING THE GAME IN THE BUFFALO AREA:

Remember you will need to bust out the rabbit ears for this one if you have Time Warner Cable. With the local CBS channel being pulled off the air for the time being you will have to unplug your cable from the back of your TV and then plug in the antenna. The quality for this game won’t be too great though seeing as it is coming over the air. Try to find a friends house with satellite, as they will not be affected by this.

Game Notes:

• The Chargers have beaten the Bills in six of the last eight matchups, and lead the overall series, 20-9-2.
• San Diego’s success passing the ball against the Patriots was largely a product of its offensive line, which did not allow a single sack on Rivers in 27 pass attempts. The Bills, who are averaging just two sacks per game, could be without last year’s sack leader Aaron Schobel, who is still recovering from a left foot injury.
• San Diego’s three passing plays of 40-plus yards against the Patriots (without Chris Chambers, no less) should be a little disconcerting for the Bills, who could be without a couple key defensive backs. Starting CB Terrence McGee is dealing with a sprained left knee, while safety Ko Simpson is recovering from a hamstring injury.
• Since 2007, Chargers CB Antonio Cromartie leads the NFL with 12 interceptions. San Diego is 7-0 when Cromartie has an interception.
• The Bills are 2-0 under coach Dick Jauron following a bye week.
• Bills RB Marshawn Lynch has recorded a touchdown in four consecutive home games. He averages 89.7 rushing yards per game in Buffalo.
• Twelve of Buffalo’s 19 post-bye week games have been decided by less than a touchdown with seven of those 12 being decided by less than a field goal.
• Buffalo has won their last three games coming off the bye week with victories over Kansas City (2005), Green Bay (2006) and Baltimore (2007) respectively. The Bills are 13-6 all-time after the bye and 9-4 all-time at home.
• Both Lee Evans and Josh Reed stand one reception away from the 250th in their respective careers. They would become just the 10th and 11th players in franchise history to compile 250 or more catches in their career.
• Josh Reed also needs 76 receiving yards to reach 3,000 in his career.
• Punter Brain Moorman needs 63 punting yards to become the 55th NFL player to surpass 25,000 punting yards in a career.
• A win on Sunday would give Buffalo its 200th victory at home in franchise history.

Injury Report:

Bills - Out of Game: CB Terrence McGee (knee).  Doubtful: TE Derek Fine (hand).  Questionable: C Melvin Flower (elbow), DE Aaron Schobel (foot) and CB Ashton Youboty (foot).  Probable: QB Trent Edwards (head), WR Roscoe Parrish (hand) and S Ko Simpson (hamstring).

Chargers - Doubtful: WR Chris Chambers (ankle), WR Craig Davis (groin) and LB Jyles Tucker (hamstring).  Probable: LB Marques Harris (hamstring), RB LaDainian Tomlinson (toe), S Eric Weddle (shoulder), RB Darren Sproles (ankle) and RB Mile Tolbert (ankle).

Quote of the Week:

“We’ve put ourselves in a good position right now and what we do with that has yet to be seen. If we want to get where we want to go, we have to take advantage of our opportunities like this.”
-Lee Evans on facing an AFC power at home

Open Thread:

Please feel free to comment below or in the tag board in the sidebar to chat with Bills fans from around the world.

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It is being reported today that Buffalo Bills cornerback Terrence McGee will be out for Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers.

That sprained left knee just hasn’t healed enough.  This is bad news for a Bills defense that might be out with pro bowl DE Aaron Schobel also. 

The only good news for the Bills secondary is that FS Ko Simpson praticed today and is listed as probable.  Also the Chargers #1 WR is listed at doubtful (Chris Chambers). 

Even more bad news came out though as CB Ashton Youboty was limited in pratice and is a 50-50 shot to play.

This means that 1st round pick, Leodis McKelvin will have a big role in the game Sunday.  Let’s see how the rookie does.  Lets go Buffalo!

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The countdown to kickoff has begun.  Only 4 days away until the Bills return to the Ralph to take on the Oakland Raiders.  Similar to last week, instead of breaking down a match up today I invited another guest to the site.  Matt Loede joins the website today.  He is the senior editor at billsgab.com and nflgridirongab.com.  NFLGridrongab.com brings together all of the teams in the NFL.  It is a great site to go to for opinions and news on any NFL team.  Matt has been covering the sports world for over 13 years and this week he is heading to Blog World 2008 this weekend in Las Vegas.  He was gracious enough to stop by and chat a little bit about the Buffalo Bills and the entire NFL (NOTE: Just like last time, my questions are in bold while Matt’s answers are in normal font).  

What are your thoughts on the Bills through their first 2 games?  They beat the Seahawks badly, 34-10 and they came through when they had to against the Jaguars 20-16.  That is two wins against playoff teams from last year.  Sure both of these teams have injuries, but they looked pretty good in both of them.  This is the first time since 2003 that the Bills have started 2-0 to begin a season.

I think the Bills have looked solid through two weeks.  The one thing that has impressed me is the maturity of Trent Edwards, as well as the ability of the defense to make stops when they need to.  Edwards and the offense really came through Sunday when the team was trailing and had two great drives to take the game back over.  Injuries or not, many felt Seattle and Jacksonville would be, and could still be playoff teams.

How do you like the Bills offense through the first 2 games?  It is similar to a west coast offense with some different formations.  It let’s the young QB Trent Edwards make quick decisions and they air it out when the defense starts cheating up.  Not to mention Edwards spreads the ball all over the place.  Everyone gets involved, something as Bills fans we haven’t seen in a while.  Plus they have Lynch that they can ride all day too if needed.

As I said above, Edwards and the offense has looked very good.  Turk Schonert has done a very good job in two games as the new offensive coordinator in putting Edwards and the offense in a position to succeed, and Trent has taken advantage of it.  Marshawn and the running game has been good, and credit also has to be given to the O-line for doing a good job up front.

How do you see the AFC East playing out?  The Patriots looked pretty much like the same team (just less scoring) and the New York Jets looked pretty bad.  The Bills and the Pats are both 2-0 so far this season.  Do you give the Bills a shot?

The Bills have a shot, but injuries and how other teams shape up will determine just how much of a shot Buffalo has come playoff time.  The big difference is they started slow last year and caught their stride midway through the season.  This year they have already started fast, and now need to not have a letdown, as the Pats will not be going away easily as we saw last week vs. the Jets.

What are your “surprises” so far this year?  A lot has caught me off guard so far.

• Titans at 2-0, I’m surprised with.  I didn’t see that team doing anything this year. 
• Colts at 1-1!  What surprises me with that is Peyton Manning doesn’t look like himself (except for the one throw to Wayne ). 
• Broncos at 2-0.   I thought Denver would be fighting for a wild card spot not leading the division (although some calls by refs in your favor help).
• Chargers at 0-2!  Chargers get beat by last second plays two weeks in a row but their defense does not look right to me (and Shawn Merrian is out for the year).
• Vikings 0-2!  Vikings were supposed to be going to the Superbowl according to some experts.
• Jags 0-2.  Jags went 11-5 last year, although they do have some injuries.    

There has been plenty of surprises to go around, some good, and of course some bad.

For the Good - the Bills have to be high on the list, along with the Carolina Panthers, who look like they are going to contend with the Saints for the NFC South Title.  Pittsburgh looks for real in the AFC, and Jay Cutler and the Broncos look like a team that is going to give a lot of teams issues.

On the Bad side - The Browns and Vikings have to top the list.  These two teams were the “sexy” picks by many to get deep in the playoffs, and now they are both having to fight just to not find themselves 0-3 after Sunday.  The Chargers have had a tough start, and the Colts may be 1-1, but they look like they have aged a bit.  Seattle and the Jaguars look like two teams that are going to never be able to overcome already the injuries they have encountered.

While we are on the entire NFL, I have to ask this question early in the season. What are your predictions for the rest of the season (division leaders, playoff teams, Superbowl champs, etc.)?  Sorry if you have gotten sick of this one.

Division Champs:
AFC - New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Denver
NFC - Dallas, Green Bay, New Orleans, Arizona
Wild Cards - AFC: Tennessee, San Diego NFC: NY Giants, Philadelphia
Super Bowl: Dallas vs. Pittsburgh - Dallas 24-20

Back to the Bills now.  What are your keys to the game for them to beat the Raiders?  The #1 on my list is to stop the run.

Stopping the run is by far and away the most important.  This team ran for 300 yards last week, so yes, that is the biggest key.  On offense, they can’t make mistakes to think the Raiders can sneak out a win in Buffalo.  Take the lead early, pressure Russell and force him to have to win the game

How about them rookies?!?  We say both of them play roles in todays game.  2^nd rounder James Hardy caught the go ahead touchdown pass and even 1^st round pick Leodis McKelvin got into the game a little bit with two returns.  What role do you see the two of them playing the rest of the season?  I don’t see McKelvin beating out Jabri Greer anytime soon for the starting spot.  

I see Hardy and McKelvin playing the roles they have already played, which is to get in the games at various points, but also for Dick Jauron and the staff not to force them into situations to fail.  I like that neither have had to play a lot, but when they have played they have been able to be successful.

A big part of the Bills offense is Lee Evans.  Do you think he gets a contract extension and stays with the Bills for the foreseeable future?

Edwards and Evans finally seem on the same page, which concerned me entering the season.  Yes, I see Evans and the team getting together on a deal that will pay him like the #1 WR that he is quickly showing he can be week in and week out.

How about another WR?  Every year we hear how the Bills are going to get the ball into Roscoe Parrish’s hands.  Do you think this will come true this year?

Right now Parrish is still a mystery as to how much he’ll be used.  He only has four catches in two games, and Edwards seems more comfortable with Evans and Robert Royal.  Parrish will at some point get a shot to make a play, but those may be few and far between.

Where did Aston Youboty come from?  I didn’t even have this guy making the roster before preseason. 

Just goes to show that some players that are not great in preseaosn and practice can show up when the lights are brightest.  That’s the case with Ashton, who seems to have relished his role with the team, with 11 tackles and a sack in two games.  For now, he’s been a welcome surprise.

Prediction time.  What is the score for the game between the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills?

I think the Bills will win, I say 24-13.  They can’t take the Raiders lightly, as this is a team that lost 41-13 two weeks ago only to come out
and physically dominate the Chiefs in a place they rarely win.  Look for the defense to have its moments, and for Edwards and Evans to make a few big plays to secure the win.

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How many Redskins fans can recall the plight of the New Orleans Saints QB, Drew Brees?

Drew Brees came in to the league as a second round draft pick of the San Diego Chargers, after having played college ball at Purdue University. While in college, Brees enjoyed significant success by setting a number of Big 10 Conference records, bowl games, the Maxwell Award for the nations most outstanding player, and a two-time finalist for the Heisman Trophy. But, his entry to the NFL game was not smooth, to say the least.

In his rookie season, Brees stepped on the field one time. After a coaching change to Marty Schottenheimer, Brees became the starter. Yet, by his third year, Brees found himself sharing the position with Doug Flutie. In his third season, he was named the starter. But, the team went 4-12 that season and thus earned the top pick in the following draft, in which they acquired Philip Rivers. But a funny thing happened along the way of on the road of public sentiment to run Brees out of town. Philip Rivers held out of training camp over a contract dispute and thus, wasn’t ready to replace Brees as the starter when the season began.

Ooops!

What happened next is truly the upside of being patient. In his fourth season, and one that he really wasn’t supposed to have, Drew Brees achieved the third best QB rating of 104.8, was elected to the Pro Bowl, and was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. At the end of the following season, and another strong performance, he was traded to the New Orleans Saints to make room for Rivers.

In his first season with the Saints, Brees threw for more 4,000 yards and once again earned a position in the Pro Bowl. He has continued to grow as a QB and has led the Saints to the playoffs, and even the NFC Championship game against the Chicago Bears on January 21, 2007.

Redskins fans might want to sit up and take notice of the upside of being patient with Jason Campbell. Drew Brees, as well as other QBs, have had at least two or more years in the same offense before they began to have real success. Matt Hasselbeck needed almost five years before the light came on; before he understood what he was supposed to be doing. Jason Campbell, by comparison, has had seven months! That’s it.

Now, I realize that I could capture a great deal of attention if I bash the Redskins, Jason Campbell, Jim Zorn, and especially the front office. But, I’m not going there. I fully believe that Mr. Daniel Snyder has grown tremendously as an owner and is beginning to figure it all out. It only took him about 9 years, coupled with one-on-one tutoring from Joe Gibbs.

Imagine what the Skins offense will look like once the light comes on in JC and the entire offense. Let’s be patient and allow him time to grow. The current chatter in the media, and fan comments on other blogs, about bringing in Todd Collins, and prepping Colt Brennan for next year is only going to hinder the process.

So, I’m calling all Redskins fans: Let’s remember the journey of Drew Brees and remember, there is an upside to being patient.

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“Sportz Assassin” reports on FanHouse today: “Since 1952 — that’s not a typo — the Redskins have had just three coaches with a winning overall record: Joe Gibbs, George Allen and Vince Lombardi. Great names who are all in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. However, it should be noted that Lombardi coached just one season in D.C. before passing away before the start of the 1970 season and Gibbs second stint saw him finish with a 30-34 record.”

Hmmm…

I remember when Joe Gibbs first came to the Skins as the head coach. I recall thinking, or feeling that it was going to be the beginning of an era. Honestly. Now, it might have been because I was young, and had just started playing pee-wee football myself. But, I knew it in my heart.

Am I prepared to say the same thing about Jim Zorn. Well, not exactly. But, I will say that I do think Zorn has the right stuff. He’s not Joe Gibbs. That’s a good thing. But, already we’ve seen that Zorn likes to pop off at the mouth. He’s got that head-mouth disease. He says exactly what’s on his mind. Some might say that’s a good thing. But, Gibbs, if he was nothing else, was a master of managing the press and public perception.

Zorn however, is trying to temper himself. But, it will take some time. Beginning tonight, he’s about to find out just how little the media and fans will coddle him if he doesn’t learn to win. And, in that crucible of scrutiny, Zorn will rise or falter by how well he manages the media to manage our expectations.

Joe Gibbs began his first tenure as coach with a 0-5 start. He’s been quoted as saying that he believed he would be fired. Melodrama aside, he understood the nature of being an NFL coach. In fact, any executive, whether it’s in the NFL or Corporate America, must learn how to manage expectations while at the same time building and cultivating strong relationships.

There is a saying: A great relationship can overcome poor results. But great results will never overcome a bad relationship. For example, just ask Marty Schottenheimer about his experience with the San Diego Chargers.

Yet, even though Joe Gibbs never had to worry about truly poor results beyond his 0-5 start, he never forgot that critical lesson. And, of course, it shouldn’t go without saying that a great relationship is made even greater when accompanied by great results. And in that regard, Joe Gibbs won three super bowls. He should have had a fourth, but Joe Theisman was playing “drunk” that day against the Raiders.

To be successful, and write his name next to the winning coaches of the Redskins, Zorn has to do what he does best: Put Jason Campbell in a position to succeed. Teach the players well. And lastly, go beyond just calling the right plays. Rather, he must call the right plays at the right time.

Is it game time, yet!!

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NFL Network’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Jints have agreed to terms of a one-year contract with T Shane Olivea. According to this report, Olivea just had a four-game suspension lifted by the NFL for missing a drug test which violated the NFL Substance Abuse Policy. Shane, 26, appealed the suspension, telling league officials he was in a drug-treatment center at the time of the testing. Olivea must first work out and pass a physical with the Giants before a contract can be signed.

The New York Post pointed out that the 6-4, 312-pounder lived in Cedarhurst, NY. Phessional and I used to live across the street from each other in Cedarhurst a couple blocks from Lawrence H.S. Phessional used to come over every Sunday to watch Big Blue play, and then he moved to Jacksonville, FL for work. Those were the days. Olivea graduated from Lawrence H.S. before becoming a seventh-round draft pick out of Ohio State. That’s also where the late Lyle Alzado graduated from H.S. may he rest in peace.

Various articles state that Shane once looked like one of the most promising offensive linemen in the NFL. So why would a 26-year old player get cut by the Chargers? According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, “All the Chargers would say when they released him in February was that Olivea had seemed to lose his motivation. But those around the team have known for some time that Olivea partied himself out of the league.” That’s not a good thing for the Super Bowl champs. So the G-MEN are offering Shane another shot. The upside is that they only agreed to a one-year deal if it doesn’t work out as planned.

To view Shane Olivea’s Player Profile, click here.

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