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Bills Blown Out By Patriots
Moulds Warned: To add insult to injury, the whole Eric Moulds saga may not be over. Chris Mortenson reports for ESPN, that Moulds has been given a written warning from the club. The letter states that if he has anymore incidents the team will go after a portion of his signing bonus.
It Has Been One Of Those Years: A dejected Tom Donahoe told the media after the game said it is frustrating for everyone that they haven't been able to meet expectations. A lot of things haven't gone their way, it has just been one of those years. He expects the fans to be frustrated but they are probably more upset than the fans because they have worked so hard to put a good product on the field and that hasn't happened. In his first statement regarding the Eric Moulds suspension he said he fully supported it and the team has to play and not be distracted by those things.
Moulds Watches From A Suite: The game may have been sold out but there was nobody left in the stadium at the end of the game. The few brave hearts that were in the stadium got to see Doug Flutie play the final two Patriot series. He completed 1 of 2 passes and ran once for two yards. His good friend Eric Moulds was there, he was finishing off his suspension watching the game from one of the stadium suites.
Last Week's Loss Affected Them Today: Coach Mularkey addressed the media after the game, and was obviously disappointed, calling it a poor performance. He said it seemed like whatever could go wrong, went wrong. He thought was took place last week in the loss to Miami would not be a factor but maybe he was wrong. He gave the Patriots credit for responding to what the Bills did to them last time. They expected the blitz and it was effective in getting pressure on J.P. Losman and stopping the run. The two red zone penalties and the subsequent interception took the wind out of their sails. It has happened all year that way which is so disappointing. They need to respond when things aren't always perfect and they haven't done it. The way they played today it seems like they are long ways away from the Patriots level. They have played better than that though, and he thinks they are a better team but they didn't respond today. He didn't feel the Eric Moulds situation wasn't as much of a factor as people have made it out to be. They practiced well, they just didn't perform. He knows the fans are very disappointed and they are as disappointed as the team. They had high expectations but they will work hard to finish strong, they will try to get better to finish this thing off right.
A Total Failure: If last week's loss was a total choke job, this one was a total team failure to show up. From the running game getting 14 yards, to the 10 pass completions in the game the offense was disgustingly bad. The defense collapsed at the worst times as well allowing a 300 yard passer and a 100 yard runner. The only part of the team that wasn't a total failure was the special teams. They made good plays but made their share of mistakes as well. Gameday Grades
Bills Blown Out Again: The team didn't show any pride after all, as all the negative things that started last Sunday culminated with a 35-7 blowout loss against New England. J.P. Losman didn't know how to handle the snowy weather and the offense did nothing while the defense was allowing the Patriots to march up and down the field. Losman completed only 10 passes and threw three interceptions. The running game mustered only 14 yards the entire game and half of that came from Losman! If it wasn't for two Tom Brady interceptions it would have been even worse. The Bills lone score came in garbage time as Josh Reed took a short pass and went 51 yards for a score. Complete Review
McGahee Takes Shot To The Head: Willis McGahee was forced to leave the game briefly in the 2nd quarter after taking a blow to the head. It happened on a blocking assignment when a Patriots player's knee hit his head. He was down for a few minutes before being helped off the field under his own power. His return was questionable but he did return to start the third quarter. Lauvale Sape was helped off the field by the trainers after hurting his ankle in the third quarter. He did not return. Ryan Denney was shaken up late in the game but walked off under his own power. Injury Page
Moulds Leads Inactive List: The suspended Eric Moulds tops the Bills list of inactives. With him out, Jonathan Smith has been activated for the first time in nearly two months. Mike Williams also is inactive as he continues to battle a chest and back muscle problem. The other inactive players are: George Wilson, Liam Ezekiel, Lionel Gates, Jason Jefferson and Justin Geisinger. Shane Matthews is the emergency third string QB.
Snowy Weather: It will be typical snowy weather for a December game in Western New York today. Snow showers are in the forecast all day long. The chance of snow is 70% with accumulations of 2 to 4 inches expected throughout the day. The game time temperature will be 30° but winds out of the WSW at 16mph will make it feel like it is in the teens.
Saturday December 10, 2005
Bills Moving Forward: The Bills have closed the book on the whole Eric Moulds saga. He told the Buffalo News that he was happy with his meeting with Ralph Wilson. The owner told him, he appreciated his efforts and knows what kind of player he is. Moulds did tell WGR radio that there is a 50-50 chance he will return to Buffalo next year. Coach Mularkey addressed the media yesterday and wouldn't elaborate on the reasons why Moulds was suspended, saying the issue is settled and Eric will rejoin the team on Monday and they are moving forward. He did say the suspension was for conduct detrimental to the team. Mularkey said the team has had a good week in practice despite the situation this week. He feels this is a great chance for Sam Aiken who he says has a great work ethic.
Friday December 9, 2005
McGahee Ill: Willis McGahee has come down with an illness and did not practice today. Coach Mularkey did not add him to the injury report and expects him to be ready to go on Sunday. Mark Campbell has practiced all week and should be able to return to the lineup Sunday. The coach is also hopeful that Chris Villarrial could play, he practiced on a limited basis on Friday after missing the two other workouts this week. Injury Report
Aiken To Start: Sam Aiken will get the start in place of the suspended Eric Moulds when the Bills face the Patriots on Sunday. Coach Mularkey made that announcement when he addressed the media today.
Moulds Accepts Suspension: The adviser for Eric Moulds told AP that Moulds accepts the decision to suspend him and he was happy with the opportunity to give his side of the story and to put this behind him. He will cheer on his teammates on Sunday as a fan and is anxious to get back on the field next week. Greg Johnson also said that this incident shouldn't have a bearing on Moulds' future. He does want to continue playing for the team and be a Buffalo Bill for life. Of course his cap figure next year of $11 Million means something will need to be done for that to happen. The suspension will cost Moulds approximately $93,000, one game check. He will not practice with the team tomorrow as well.
Thursday December 8, 2005
Moulds Suspended: The saga is over, owner Ralph Wilson announced today that Eric Moulds has been suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team. He will not be paid for missing Sunday's game against the Patriots. Wilson met with Moulds for a half an hour, he called him a friend. They discussed the situation that happened Sunday in Miami. Moulds gave him his side of the story and Mularkey gave Wilson his side as well. Wilson joked "he's like Solomon trying to cut the baby in half." Wilson said he wouldn't be ready to play Sunday because he hasn't practiced this week. He said Moulds will be back to play the final three games of the season and he hopes they do better than they have done this year. Wilson made the announcement in a statement to the press. He did not take questions or elaborate to how he came to his decision.
Game Sold Out: The Bills announced today that Sunday's game is officially a sell out. It beat the TV blackout deadline, so the game will be televised in Western New York. Every game this season has been sold out. The Bills have sold out all but one game the past three years.
Moulds, Wilson Meeting Today: Eric Moulds is expected to meet with owner Ralph Wilson today where a decision will be made whether or not he will be suspended for Sunday's game. Moulds told WKBW-TV in Buffalo that he had a confrontation on the sidelines with WRs Coach Tyke Tolbert about being pulled for poor play. Moulds said nobody has mentioned suspension to him but he was left a phone message that said not to come to practice yesterday or today. His personal adviser, Greg Johnson told AP that Moulds is being punished over a misunderstanding that took place during the game. He said Moulds was experiencing pain in his Achilles' tendon and wanted to get it checked out when he was told to go back in the game by Tolbert. Moulds declined and was benched. Johnson feels the whole thing has been blown out of proportion and they hope the whole matter will be settled today during the meeting with Wilson. Johnson is encouraged that Coach Mularkey did not use the word suspension in his press conference yesterday.
Losman on Moulds Situation: J.P. Losman would not speak about the Eric Moulds situation saying it is an in house thing and it is a coach's situation. He did say there is a chance it could be a distraction but they can't let that happen. He said Moulds gives him a comfort zone. The team has to back the coach's decision and Mularkey hasn't strayed him wrong yet so it is up to the players to understand the move.
Wednesday December 7, 2005
Team Will Not Lay Down: Coach Mularkey said the team is a lot like the people of the city, they are a hard working blue collar type of team that will not lay down. He re-iterated that the team is more disappointed than the fans could be and the fans in Buffalo are special and they are understandably disappointed. On using Shaud Williams on third downs, he said that his been is plan for 10 years to use a different back in that situation to keep his starter fresh.
Moulds Out Two Days At Least: Coach Mularkey addressed the Eric Moulds situation in his weekly media day press conference today. He said Moulds was excused today and tomorrow but he would not discuss it further since he called it an in house subject. He said he has not used the word suspension at this point. He was constantly peppered with questions but wouldn't go further saying today isn't the proper time to address the situation. All he would mention was that he's excused the next two days but would not say what would happen afterwards. One report said that no suspension would happen without the approval of Ralph Wilson. The possibility exists that Mularkey wants him suspended for Sunday's game like reports say but he can't until Wilson gives the go ahead. He did say that it was true when he said Monday that he did talk to Moulds on Monday, despite a report that said Moulds missed that meeting.
Injury Update: Mark Campbell and Mike Williams took part in their positional drills today, returning to practice after both have been out for more than a week. They are both questionable along with Chris Villarrial who was present but did not take part in practice. He hurt his hamstring against Miami. Injury Report
Moulds Suspended One Game: ESPN is reporting that Eric Moulds has indeed been suspended by the team. The report says the suspension is for this week's game only and is for conduct detrimental to the team. He did not practice today. The report also says that Moulds missed a mandatory meeting with Mularkey on Monday. This contradicts Mularkey saying that the two spoke on Monday. The coach will address the situation at his press conference this afternoon.
Fletcher Honored: London Fletcher has been named the Bills 2005 Walter Payton Man Of The Year recipient. He was selected by members of the Western New York community.
Moulds Suspended? An NFL source has told the Buffalo News that Coach Mularkey has informed Eric Moulds of his intent to suspend him for conduct detrimental to the team. The final decision rests with Ralph Wilson who will meet with Moulds as early as tomorrow. Until then, Moulds will not be taking part in team activities including today's practice.
Bills Look To Overcome: The Bills go back to work today to try and overcome the tough loss last week at the hands of Miami. They welcome the two time defending champions to Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday as they look to play for pride. Things are unnerving at One Bills Drive as the team is in danger of turning into total chaos. Will it happen on Sunday? Complete Preview
Tuesday December 6, 2005
Losman, The Day After: J.P. Losman was agitated when he spoke to the media yesterday after having a day to digest the devastating loss in Miami. He said he didn't know why Eric Moulds didn't play much but he needs to make plays to whatever receivers are in the game. He said if they knew why the running game wasn't working, they would fix it. They don't know the answer maybe they took it for granted but the effort was there, mistakes were being made and only the player making the mistake knows what he did. He thought about the mistakes that he made that could have made the outcome different. Looking back on the interception on the goal line, he believed in the play and had his receiver wide open he just missed him. He had trouble letting go of his interception because it is frustrating to get past a play like that which hurt the team. Players need to step up and find a way to win, that would build confidence. There was a lot of good things happening but they just need to find a way to win the close games.
Donahoe On Hot Seat: The heat under the collar of Tom Donahoe is getting worse. Hours after an article in Sunday's Buffalo News suggested he may be replaced by his longtime assistant Tom Modrak in the offseason, the team suffered an embarrassing loss in Miami. That fueled the flames asking for his head. He answered several questions, or should we say dodges several questions from fans on the company's website. On his radio show he got mad at a caller that suggested he should step down immediately to save the fans some pain. He said they don't like that kind of caller and called him a jerk, saying he should call other radio shows if he wanted to talk like that. What do you think of Donahoe? Answer our poll question on our homepage.
It's Tough Being A Bills Fan: There is no question Bills fans have had to endure devastating losses. Seconds after the latest defeat I was left wondering why I put myself through such torture. From wide right to the homerun throwback to yesterday's game it becomes apparent how hard it is to root for this team. Tony Bogyo ponders the question as to why he should still root for the team. What looks like a rebuilding process ahead, Tony knows he will remain a fan but it will be very difficult, especially with the added pressures of the holiday season. Complete Story
Monday December 5, 2005
Losing This Way Tries Players' Will: Coach Mularkey addressed the media today and said this loss was very difficult to stomach. He has never been on the losing end of one of these types of games. The way they have lost three of their last four games after leading in the fourth quarter is trying their will. It is disappointing and he feels sorry for the team since they shouldn't have to feel this way when they play as hard as they did. They have to get over the tough loss as fast as they can to respond for this week's game against New England. He wouldn't comment more on the Eric Moulds situation saying only that they had a good talk today. He wouldn't elaborate on if Moulds was benched yesterday or taken out by the coaching staff. He doesn't feel they will lose the veterans in the locker room because they have too many good character guys and too much leadership from the veterans and some of the young players. The team is struggling through a learning process of trying to finish games. They have struggled the last six weeks with that, and it was magnified to the extreme yesterday. He feels for the fans because he knows how important the team is to the city. The fans need to know that they are all in this together and they are doing the best they can. It isn't a lack of effort, they aren't giving in to anything and they aren't going to.
Villarrial To Be Re-evaluated: Coach Mularkey today described the injury to Chris Villarrial as a tweak of the hamstring. He is resting it today and tomorrow and they will have a better idea as to the severity of the injury on Wednesday when they go back to work. There were no other injuries that would hold a player out of practice. Injury Page
Can't Describe The Feeling: J.P. Losman said he's seen collapses like this many times on TV but to experience it firsthand was like a slap in the face. He said nobody but the players in the locker room knows how it feels, you win and lose as a team and he can't describe the feeling he has right now. They need to control the anger and point the fingers at themselves and control their emotions. On the interception, the guy caught up quickly and it was just a bad throw but he had Josh Reed wide open. The talk at halftime was not to be satisfied with their big league but it didn't seem to help. Losman said he got dinged early but took some advil and was fine.
Moulds Limited: Eric Moulds did not play much because he took himself out on many instances according to Coach Mularkey. He said he would talk to Moulds after his press briefing yesterday. Moulds said he knows what is expected of him and he is just going to ride it out the next four games and not be a distraction like T.O. He said after that he will either be in Buffalo or won't be. He's shocked by the whole season but he doesn't really want to comment because he doesn't want to become a distraction. There are still four games left and he, and his teammates will keep on playing. There is definitely more to this situation than either Moulds or Mularkey are letting on. He must be upset that his consecutive game receiving streak was snapped at 121 games.
Bills Can't Finish Games: Coach Mularkey addressed the media after yesterday's loss. When asked if he was shocked, he said shocked may not be the word. He is extremely disappointed with the outcome for the guys in the locker room. Nobody should feel like they did right after the game. They need to play to the last second in this league because there is too fine a line in the NFL. They just didn't finish the job. The turnovers were critical, especially the two in the red zone were devastating. The difference in the game was the fumble and interception down near the goal line. On the final score, they just made a play. He thought the defense played very good football but they were worn out in the end because they were on the field too long, that hurt them in the no huddle offense. You have to buckle down at times and make a stop on defense or make a first down on offense and they didn't do that. They had opportunities to put more points on the board so the Dolphins couldn't come back. This is a close team that isn't influenced by outside sources and that will be tested now. He thought J.P. Losman played well in the first half at least but he wishes he had that interception back on the goal line in the second half.
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