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Buffalo Sports
It was almost predictable that the Bills would lose their next to last game of the season as Brian Brohm made his first start of the season. After Buffalo was forced to punt on many of their 3-and-outs, Matt Ryan of Atlanta needed only his first snap to toss a 42-yard touchdown pass.....game over.
Buffalo was held to 178 total yards in the game while Brohm was 17 of 29 for 146 yards and two interceptions in his first NFL start. As always, 10 penalties in the game hurt the Bills, though the outcome was never in doubt as the beleaguered defense was on the field for over 35 minutes, allowing the Falcons to score 21 points in the second half, 14 in the third quarter after Buffalo managed to keep the Falcons in sight in the opening 30 minutes 10-0.
Fans can’t wait for changes to occur, desperately in need of a GM, a head coach and though Alex Van Pelt is a nice guy, a decent percent – another imaginative offense coordinator is needed. That would go with a high first round pick and maybe some free agents once the front office is settled.
It was, again, not a pretty thing to witness but then again, how many games were played with hope that this might have been the season for Buffalo to get into post-season play. They have yet to reach the playoffs in the first decade of the new century.
So what stood out as the Falcons humbled the Bills? Was it the fact that they didn’t get to the 50-yard line until 8 ½ minutes remained in the first half? No. Was it the debut of Brohm at quarterback? No. Was it the fact that the Bills offense continued to sputter? No. You could go on and on with versions of what stood out in the loss.
But to me what stood out was Terrell Owens. Everyone on the Niagara Frontier is proud of the reputation of being hard working, blue-collar type town. It was evident on at least two occasions that Owens doesn’t remotely approach being part of that crowd.
As the Bills were being humbled, the cameras caught Owens manicuring his nails on the sidelines with clippers. Certainly disgust was felt among the die-hard blue-collar fans.
When Brohm threw a long pass into the end zone intended for Owens, he calmly watched the Atlanta receiver cradle the pigskin to his chest for a touchdown. As he had done in previous games, Owens made absolutely no effort to come back for the ball – or even attempt to knock the pass away from the interceptor.
Later in the game on an end-around, Owens was surrounded by Falcons in the backfield. Unlike a Freddy Jackson would try to muscle for a yard or two, it seemed as if Owens was going to go down and give himself up.
Blue collar? Owens? No way. These displays certainly should serve notice to the Bills brass to not even whisper any thoughts of bringing him back next year. So what if he notched his 1000th pass of his career. There is no way that Owens could ever be compared to Bobby Chandler, Andre Reed, James Lofton, Pete Metzellars who brought pride to the city. Lee Evans always gives his all in games.
You want a blue-collar guy for the Bills? How about Aaron Schobel. Earlier in the week, Schobel indicated that his play might be slipping. You couldn’t tell from the Atlanta game. He was a terror on the over-worked defense, getting three sacks to get into double digits this season. He intensity typifies being a Buffalo blue-collar guy.
S that’s what stood out for me as I continue watch the game still fuming at the casual attitude of Owens – who will be waves at as Buffalo says goodbye to him.
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