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Bills Lose In Final Minutes To Panthers
Losman Thought They Would Score: J.P. Losman told the media after the loss and said the team has to figure out how to win the close games, whatever it takes they have to get it done. On the interception, he thought Roscoe Parrish was going to go inside but he went outside but he still had a chance. It wasn't a great throw or a great pick according to the dejected Losman. There was no doubt in his mind that they would score because they moved the ball all day but they have to get over the hump and get in the end zone. On missing Eric Moulds when he was wide open, he should have trusted his protection a bit better, he thought his arm was going to get hit and it didn't. Right now he can't think about any progress he made, the loss hurts but it shows there is no quit in this team. They will come out next week ready to get a W. He is in complete agreement with the play calling it is the little things that are beating them. Penalties are killing them in the red zone, route adjustments, blocking techniques, and the quarterback reads. The coaches are putting them in position to be successful.
Team Needs To Learn How To Win Close Games: Coach Mularkey addressed the media after the heartbreaking loss today. He said he's disappointed with the outcome but thought the team responded after last week's outcome. He thought it was going to be close but they need to learn how to win these games and they had chances to do that. They did a good job on defense earlier in the game stopping drives, but they didn't do it in the end thanks to the face mask penalty on Angelo Crowell that came at a critical time. The whole team thought they were going to win on the final two minute drive and J.P. Losman looked cool from start to finish according to the coach. He thought he played well for a third week in a row. He made some good throws but made some bad decisions that are typical of a young quarterback. He liked how the players rallied around him at an important time and that was a positive to take out of the loss. The coach feels like Losman's progress will continue as he has played well under adverse conditions. He called the team very prideful and they will take the loss personal. They overcame last week's embarrassing loss along with snow storms and the holiday to have a great week of practice. They deserved a better result the coach thinks. He expects them to show up ready to go back to work on Monday.
Bills Fail With Game On The Line: The Bills were headed towards a victory, albeit in ugly win. But a win is a win, especially one that would have put them a game out of first place in the division. As usual they failed in the end. They don't know how to finish games off and that will affect the grades each position gets. Gameday Grades
Bills Lose In Final Minutes: Jake Delhomme made the plays when it counted as he hit Michael Gaines on a third down touchdown pass from three yards out with 2:16 to play to give the Panthers a 13-9 come from behind win over the Bills. J.P. Losman's two minute drive fell short. One play after missing a wide open Eric Moulds for a sure touchdown, he was picked off by Chris Gamble ending the last ditch effort for a win. Losman threw for 197 yards and the pick in the loss. Rian Lindell hit field goals from 33, 45, and 31 yards out in the loss. Complete Review
Williams Carted Off: Lawyer Milloy hurt his right foot on the Panthers touchdown drive in the final minutes. He walked off under his own power. Mike Williams was injured in the first half. He was carted off with a muscle injury to his back. His return to the starting lineup ended early, he was replaced by Bennie Anderson. Willis McGahee was banged up twice but returned each time. Injury Page
Williams Starts At Left Guard: Mike Williams got the start at left guard for the Bills for Bennie Anderson. This is a continuation of an experiment started in the KC game. The Bills went back to Anderson in that game and he started last week against San Diego as Williams got more reps in practice at his new position.
Three Starters Inactive: Terrence McGee, Mark Campbell and Sam Adams are all inactive today with injuries. They all didn't practice this week and were considered gametime decisions. Players like Roscoe Parrish, Jabari Greer, Eric King, Tim Euhus, Lavuale Sape and Justin Bannan will have to step up. In other gameday news, Kelly Holcomb is the number two quarterback as Shane Matthews has been named the emergency 3rd QB. The other inactives are: George Wilson, Jonathan Smith, Liam Ezekiel and Justin Geisinger.
Windy Weather: It will be a very windy late November game in Orchard Park today. That is typical for this time of year but what isn't typical is the high temperature of 45°. The winds will be out of the southeast at 25mph which will make it feel like the mid 30's at kickoff. There is a 20% chance of showers with rain coming in the evening.
Saturday November 26, 2005
Gametime Decision: Three starters are going to be the dreaded gametime decision tomorrow. Sam Adams, Terrence McGee and Mark Campbell remain out with their injuries and will not know if they can go until the test out their injuries on the stadium turf tomorrow morning. The Patriots have upgraded four questionable players to probable. Injury Report
Friday November 25, 2005
Three Miss Practice Yesterday: The Thanksgiving Day practice saw three injured players on the sidelines. Sam Adams, Terrence McGee and Mark Campbell did not practice for a second straight day. Campbell did some work on the bike on the sidelines and Coach Mularkey said he will be a gametime decision. Injury Report
Thursday November 24, 2005
Williams Decision Tomorrow: Coach Mularkey said Mike Williams has been splitting reps in practice this week with Bennie Anderson once again at left guard. He said he's improving at his new position and they will see tomorrow which one would start. Williams started two weeks ago against Kansas City but was pulled after a series of bad plays.
Mularkey Talks To McGahee: About a month ago Willis McGahee made a comment that he feels he's the best back in the game. He continues to be asked about it, and he continues to say it. He feels if you don't think you are the best, you will get beat. Coach Mularkey talked to McGahee and told him he likes his confidence and he wants him to feel that way but he wants him to show it, not say it. That just gives bulletin board fodder to their opponents. It has worked also, as McGahee has struggled the last three weeks. McGahee said he is going to be quiet on the subject from now on.
Wednesday November 23, 2005
Toyota Buys Tickets: Buffalo area Toyota dealerships bought the remaining tickets to Sunday's game assuring it would be a sellout, lifting the TV blackout in Western New York. There were approximately 1,600 tickets left as of yesterday. Toyota is the official car sponsor of the Bills.
Losman To Start: Coach Mularkey made it official today, saying that J.P. Losman will start at quarterback against Carolina on Sunday. The coach said the decision it's based on performance and the health of Kelly Holcomb but more based on the performace of Losman last week. The coach is taking it one game at a time, he won't commit to Losman beyond this week. He knows he will have his hand full because the Panthers have a solid defense that gives a lot of different looks. It starts with the pass rushing of Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker.
Five On Injury Report: Sam Adams, Terrence McGee and Mark Campbell are listed as questionable and did not practice today. Kelly Holcomb and Greg Jerman are listed as probable and did practice. Coach Mularkey hopes Holcomb will be ready to be the #2 QB this week. Injury Report
Bills Look To Rebound: The Bills are looking to rebound from the bad taste of the blowout loss in San Diego. They have another in a series of tough matchups this week with the Carolina Panthers coming to town. Carolina is coming off of a loss in Chicago and are also looking to get back on track. Complete Preview
Tuesday November 22, 2005
Tickets Remain: The Bills are endanger of having their first, and only non sellout of the season. The final two home games are already soldout but there are 1,600 tickets remaining for Sunday's game against Carolina. The league has extended the blackout deadline until Friday at 1pm because of the Thanksgiving holiday. If it isn't soldout by then, the game will be blacked out in Western New York.
Wilson, Reed, Thomas Make Cut: Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, and Ralph Wilson are among the 25 semi finalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The list was whittled down from the original 112 nominees today. The list will be reduced to 13 finalists along with two senior committee picks. The class of 2006 will be announced on the Saturday before the Super Bowl.
Reasons For Optimism: Tony Bogyo has a new article following the devastating blowout loss in San Diego. The surprise in the article it takes the optimistic view of the team. Find out why Tony Bogyo sees the silver lining the loss. Complete Story
Monday November 21, 2005
Six Week Season: Coach Mularkey addressed the media this afternoon and sounded dejected. He said right now the 4-6 record feels worse than the 4-6 record did at this point last year because of the way they lost yesterday. It's a six week season now and how they approach it is the important thing. There is no room for error and they have to prepare and they have to earn it and it won't be easy. What he likes about his team is that they always respond after they play poorly and he expects them to respond again. After watching the film the coach discovered that there were more mental and technique errors. It is obvious that they play better at home then on the road. They need to prepare harder each week, especially after a win. That has been addressed. It isn't a question of effort, there is always effort some players aren't performing consistently and that is killing them on the road since you need a greater focus away from home. The coach may simplify some things to reduce the chance of errors. The team has been consistent at home but away they have not played well with the exception of the New England game and they didn't finish that one. There has been some improvement but there were some things that they haven't improved on. He thought there was some things they could have done in protection to help out J.P. Losman. He feels he made some plays and avoided some sacks but lack of experience hurt him on some plays but he thinks he played well enough for the team to have a chance. He won't make a decision on the starting QB next week at this time.
Adams Day To Day: Sam Adams had his ankle rolled on and is day to day. The team was being cautious with Terrence McGee and they limited his reps when they really needed him. The injury to Lawyer Milloy is considered a normal bump and bruise. He had his wrist wrapped up during the game. Mark Campbell left the game late with a tweaked leg but he is considered to be ok. Injury Page
Losing Sucks: J.P. Losman wasn't in a good mood after the Bills got blown out in front of 450 of his closest friends and family yesterday. He said it didn't matter that so many were there rooting him on, losing sucks. He said he wasn't affected by the opening drive score by the Chargers, they were keeping with the gameplan. He said what matters now is what they do when they get back up from getting beat up yesterday. They need to come back swinging against Carolina on Sunday. They will find out about this team if they are men or not. They were concentrating and prepared but nothing was going their way. There were too many penalties and turnovers. Wins are so enjoyable because of how they feel when they lose, it is very easy to lay in egg like they did.
Team Didn't Play Well: Coach Mularkey called it a disappointing loss against a good football team. He said his team didn't play well and they played well in all three phases. They were outplayed and out coached, there is something to learn from a loss like this. The coach doesn't feel the loss is a step backward for J.P. Losman. He got some experience in the two minute mode and scored in the first half but gave them too much time since they scored too quick. He also had opportunities in the end, he will be able to take some things from this loss. It is a tough balance in continuing J.P.'s progression and playing at a good level. The coach thought they had a good week of preparation but giving up a quick score off the opening kickoff hurt their confidence and they just didn't play well. The team just doesn't play good enough on the road. He thought they gained some confidence in the loss in New England but it didn't carry over to this loss. They just have to get back to playing good football.
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