Chiefs Covitz: At 0-6, Bills have been tantalizingly close to victory this year - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-30-2010, 01:56 AM

At 0-6, Bills have been tantalizingly close to victory this year
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star

Poor Chan Gailey. This isn’t exactly what he signed up for when he was hired as the Buffalo Bills’ coach this year.

The Bills are 0-6, the worst start by a Buffalo team since opening 0-6 in 1985.

They have allowed 34 or more points in five consecutive games. And Buffalo comes into Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday to face a Chiefs team that is 3-0 at home this season.

“When you sign up, you’re not sure what you’re going to get,” said Gailey, who spent 2008 as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator and served as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in 1998-99. “But you take it as it comes. You deal with it …

“We’ve got some good football players. The guys are playing hard but just haven’t been able to get a W.”

And with the specter of the Detroit Lions going 0-16 just two years ago, the Bills certainly don’t want to join that ignominious company.

“It’s tough to sit and look at where we are right now and stay upbeat and positive, but that’s what we have to do,” said quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who took over as starter in week three and has a 102.2 passer rating, second only to Peyton Manning’s 103.4.

Unfortunately for the Bills, they played well enough to win three of their last four games.

•A 95-yard kickoff return by rookie C.J. Spiller drew the Bills within 24-23 at the end of three quarters at New England on Sept. 26, but the Patriots went on two long drives and won 38-30.

•The Bills jumped to a 13-3 lead and played turnover-free ball at home against Jacksonville on Oct. 10, but they couldn’t stop the Jaguars’ offense and lost 36-26.

•And last Sunday was the most bitter defeat of all. The Bills rolled up 506 yards of offense on the road against Baltimore’s vaunted defense and led 24-20 at halftime. Baltimore, however, took a 34-24 lead in the third quarter before the Bills sent it into overtime with 10 consecutive points in the fourth period.

After Buffalo’s defense forced a three-and-out in overtime, the Bills reached midfield. But Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis wrestled the ball from the grasp of tight end Shawn Nelson, setting up Baltimore’s 38-yard field goal that handed the Bills a 37-34 defeat.

It was no moral victory as far as the Bills were concerned.

“If you don’t win, you don’t win,” Gailey said. “I’d rather look bad and win. We’re getting better, but there’s nothing to show for it.”

Nose tackle Kyle Williams said the Bills are frustrated but not discouraged.

“It would’ve been very easy to get discouraged letting (Baltimore) back into the game, letting them score 14 points in the third quarter and get ahead of us by 10 points and everybody could’ve gone ‘OK, same old, same old,’ ” Williams said.

“But I think it’s a testament to the guys in here. I don’t think anybody in here’s going to tank … Nobody’s going to lay it down and give up.”

Fitzpatrick wasn’t sure whether the performance at Baltimore was encouraging or even more demoralizing.

“Anytime you lose, it’s hard to say, ‘Oh, we played great,’ so you look at it and take away some of the positives and try to build on those, and at the same time evaluate why we lost the game,” Fitzpatrick said. “The turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles) were the biggest issue for us. Each game is a learning process, and hopefully we’ll continue to grow and get better rather than going the other way.”

In a strange sort of way, the Bills, much like a defending champion, are getting every team’s best shot. No one wants to be the first to lose to a winless team.

“This is the NFL, and this is their job and their livelihood,” Fitzpatrick said. “The unique thing about the NFL is that anybody can beat anybody on any Sunday. We’ve got to keep building on the small victories, the things that have gone well, and just keep moving forward. This will be a big week for us just because I feel like we have improved. And hopefully if we continue to improve, we’ll get some wins.”

If the Bills lose at Arrowhead — where they defeated the Chiefs in 2008 and ’09 — their next chances at winning will come in front of fans who are growing disenchanted with Buffalo’s sixth consecutive losing season.

The Bills will play Chicago next week in their home away from home in Toronto and entertain the Lions in Buffalo on Nov. 14.

“They’ve been disappointed,” Haley said of the Buffalo fans. “They want a winner. Everybody does. It’s their team. They’re passionate about their team. It’s been hard on them, and I understand that.

“Most of them were growing up when Jim Kelly and all that crew were going to Super Bowls. They don’t like not winning.”

**Baby Lee** · 10-30-2010, 12:54 PM

Any sightings of Bills on tractors?

Chief Roundup · 10-30-2010, 01:03 PM

Bet Gailey wants some revenge for basicly being let go before week 1 last year.

teedubya · 10-30-2010, 01:03 PM

Fitzpatrick has looked like an NFL quarterback when I've seen them play. He is calm, cool and collected.

Id rather have him instead of Cassel, at this point.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-30-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teedubya

Fitzpatrick has looked like an NFL quarterback when I've seen them play. He is calm, cool and collected.

Id rather have him instead of Cassel, at this point.

teedubya · 10-30-2010, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who took over as starter in week three and has a 102.2 passer rating, second only to Peyton Manning’s 103.4.

The Bills defense just ROYALLY sucks ass.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-30-2010, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teedubya

quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who took over as starter in week three and has a 102.2 passer rating, second only to Peyton Manning’s 103.4.

The Bills defense just ROYALLY sucks ass.

You're not going to get any argument from me. I saw the kid play when he was in STL and thought he had the ability to be decent.

But I'm fully expecting some to take exception to the Fitz>Cassel comment.

ReynardMuldrake · 10-30-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teedubya

quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who took over as starter in week three and has a 102.2 passer rating, second only to Peyton Manning’s 103.4.

The Bills defense just ROYALLY sucks ass.

I can't argue with that. Fitz has the makings of a great QB. Cassel has the makings of an average QB, plus he's older. Fitz is definately not why the Bills are losing.

Kraus · 10-30-2010, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teedubya

Id rather have him instead of Cassel, at this point.

Who wouldn't?

Fritz88 · 10-30-2010, 02:38 PM

It's been more than 26 years since they went 0-6......

Just sayin', it's been a while since they went 0-7...

10-30-2010, 01:56 AM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2987187	Covitz: At 0-6, Bills have been tantalizingly close to victory this year At 0-6, Bills have been tantalizingly close to victory this year By RANDY COVITZ The Kansas City Star Poor Chan Gailey. This isn’t exactly what he signed up for when he was hired as the Buffalo Bills’ coach this year. The Bills are 0-6, the worst start by a Buffalo team since opening 0-6 in 1985. They have allowed 34 or more points in five consecutive games. And Buffalo comes into Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday to face a Chiefs team that is 3-0 at home this season. “When you sign up, you’re not sure what you’re going to get,” said Gailey, who spent 2008 as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator and served as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in 1998-99. “But you take it as it comes. You deal with it … “We’ve got some good football players. The guys are playing hard but just haven’t been able to get a W.” And with the specter of the Detroit Lions going 0-16 just two years ago, the Bills certainly don’t want to join that ignominious company. “It’s tough to sit and look at where we are right now and stay upbeat and positive, but that’s what we have to do,” said quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who took over as starter in week three and has a 102.2 passer rating, second only to Peyton Manning’s 103.4. Unfortunately for the Bills, they played well enough to win three of their last four games. •A 95-yard kickoff return by rookie C.J. Spiller drew the Bills within 24-23 at the end of three quarters at New England on Sept. 26, but the Patriots went on two long drives and won 38-30. •The Bills jumped to a 13-3 lead and played turnover-free ball at home against Jacksonville on Oct. 10, but they couldn’t stop the Jaguars’ offense and lost 36-26. •And last Sunday was the most bitter defeat of all. The Bills rolled up 506 yards of offense on the road against Baltimore’s vaunted defense and led 24-20 at halftime. Baltimore, however, took a 34-24 lead in the third quarter before the Bills sent it into overtime with 10 consecutive points in the fourth period. After Buffalo’s defense forced a three-and-out in overtime, the Bills reached midfield. But Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis wrestled the ball from the grasp of tight end Shawn Nelson, setting up Baltimore’s 38-yard field goal that handed the Bills a 37-34 defeat. It was no moral victory as far as the Bills were concerned. “If you don’t win, you don’t win,” Gailey said. “I’d rather look bad and win. We’re getting better, but there’s nothing to show for it.” Nose tackle Kyle Williams said the Bills are frustrated but not discouraged. “It would’ve been very easy to get discouraged letting (Baltimore) back into the game, letting them score 14 points in the third quarter and get ahead of us by 10 points and everybody could’ve gone ‘OK, same old, same old,’ ” Williams said. “But I think it’s a testament to the guys in here. I don’t think anybody in here’s going to tank … Nobody’s going to lay it down and give up.” Fitzpatrick wasn’t sure whether the performance at Baltimore was encouraging or even more demoralizing. “Anytime you lose, it’s hard to say, ‘Oh, we played great,’ so you look at it and take away some of the positives and try to build on those, and at the same time evaluate why we lost the game,” Fitzpatrick said. “The turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles) were the biggest issue for us. Each game is a learning process, and hopefully we’ll continue to grow and get better rather than going the other way.” In a strange sort of way, the Bills, much like a defending champion, are getting every team’s best shot. No one wants to be the first to lose to a winless team. “This is the NFL, and this is their job and their livelihood,” Fitzpatrick said. “The unique thing about the NFL is that anybody can beat anybody on any Sunday. We’ve got to keep building on the small victories, the things that have gone well, and just keep moving forward. This will be a big week for us just because I feel like we have improved. And hopefully if we continue to improve, we’ll get some wins.” If the Bills lose at Arrowhead — where they defeated the Chiefs in 2008 and ’09 — their next chances at winning will come in front of fans who are growing disenchanted with Buffalo’s sixth consecutive losing season. The Bills will play Chicago next week in their home away from home in Toronto and entertain the Lions in Buffalo on Nov. 14. “They’ve been disappointed,” Haley said of the Buffalo fans. “They want a winner. Everybody does. It’s their team. They’re passionate about their team. It’s been hard on them, and I understand that. “Most of them were growing up when Jim Kelly and all that crew were going to Super Bowls. They don’t like not winning.”
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10-30-2010, 12:54 PM	#16
Baby Lee Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $8028275	Any sightings of Bills on tractors? __________________ We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics - E.W.
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10-30-2010, 01:03 PM	#17
Chief Roundup Admitted Planet Junky Join Date: Oct 2000 Casino cash: $-1578373	Bet Gailey wants some revenge for basicly being let go before week 1 last year. __________________ Fanaticism is nowhere. There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
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10-30-2010, 01:03 PM	#18
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $8993042	Fitzpatrick has looked like an NFL quarterback when I've seen them play. He is calm, cool and collected. Id rather have him instead of Cassel, at this point.
Posts: 36,832

10-30-2010, 02:38 PM	#24
Fritz88 Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $8505943	It's been more than 26 years since they went 0-6...... Just sayin', it's been a while since they went 0-7...
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