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DICK JAURON Leader of resilient bunch (FILE/Jim Rogash/Getty Images) |
Among the many phrases coined by ESPN icon Chris Berman is, "Nobody circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills."
This season, the Bills, owners of a four-game win streak entering tonight's game against the Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium, have turned the ebullient broadcaster into a sage.
They have overcome the traumatic loss of tight end Kevin Everett, who suffered a cervical spine fracture in the season opener against the Broncos; the loss of 11 other players for the season to injury, including three Opening Day defensive starters; a quarterback controversy between rookie Trent Edwards and J.P. Losman; and a nationally televised debacle against the Cowboys in which they blew an 8-point lead in the final minute, to become one of the hottest teams in the league.
"It's been quite a comeback to do as they've done," said Bills general manager Marv Levy.
When last the Patriots (9-0) saw the Bills - a 38-7 New England demolition job at Gillette Stadium Sept. 23 - Buffalo was 0-3, had lost Losman to a knee injury on the first series in Foxborough, and saw linebacker Paul Posluszny suffer a season-ending broken left forearm in the second quarter.
Now, the Bills are 5-4, winners of five of their last six, with the only loss being the Monday night collapse against the Cowboys. The four-game win streak ties the Packers for the second-longest in the NFL behind the Patriots, who have won 12 straight regular-season games dating to last year.
"I don't think they're that much different as far as their playing style and their habits," said Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs. "I think they just got a couple of bad breaks in the beginning of the season, where things weren't going their way. I think they've done a good job of just consistently going out there and playing with great effort, and what you're seeing now is that paying off."
Last week, the Bills rallied on the road from a 10-2 deficit with 11 fourth-quarter points to beat the Dolphins, 13-10, in a game in which Miami had the ball for 36 minutes, 59 seconds to Buffalo's 23:01 and outgained the Bills, 269 yards to 214.
That's the way it's been for Buffalo and its coach, former Swampscott High star Dick Jauron. It hasn't been a Halle Berry-type turnaround for the Bills, more like Ugly Betty.
Buffalo sports the NFL's 31st-ranked offense and its 15.9 points per game are 27th in the league. The defense ranks 28th in the league in yards allowed per game (359.7). But the bend-but-don't-break unit, which starts three undrafted rookie free agents - middle linebacker John DiGiorgio, wide receiver-turned-free safety George Wilson, and cornerback/Randy Moss foil Jabari Greer - has allowed just 7 fourth-quarter points during the four-game winning streak and ranks ninth in the league at 18.4 points per game.
Jauron said the key to the turnaround has been the resiliency of the players.
"They've played really hard and they've made plays when we had to have them made," said Jauron.
He also acknowledged there has been some luck. Hey, the Bills were due after losing two games on last-second field goals (Denver and Dallas) and withstanding a deluge of injuries that rivals Niagara Falls. Since 1990, only three teams - including the 1998 Bills - have bounced back from 0-3 to reach the postseason, but this team is in contention.
"I really believe in this league you've got to have a little bit of luck," said Jauron. "The ball has got to bounce your way and you get some breaks in that regard. And you've got to stay healthy. We haven't done a very good job there, but our guys have really hung in there and done everything they can in preparation and then on game day to try to do everything we can to win a game."
But it's never easy for Buffalo. Rookie running back Marshawn Lynch, who is fifth in the NFL in rushing and has accounted for half of the Bills' 14 touchdowns (six rushing scores and an 8-yard TD pass in a win over the Bengals Nov. 4), is doubtful for tonight's game with a left ankle injury.
Levy said that's par for the course for Jauron this year.
"Dick and his staff - it's not just one person, but he's the leader - have done a great job of keeping guys together through some difficult times," said Levy. "This is a young team, the youngest I've been associated with, and we had a couple of devastating losses early in the season. They're good teachers. That's quality No. 1 in a good coach, and Dick fits the mold."
The Bills are an unlikely candidate to end the Patriots' run at perfection, but in a season in which almost anything and everything has happened to Buffalo, it would fit the bill.
"Where we are, we're just struggling every week to fight to keep our head above water," said Jauron. "And then we have this huge challenge in front of us with the Patriots. That's plenty for us in and of itself.
"We're just trying to get ready to play the best game we can play. I don't think we need any more motivation than that. We're just fighting every week to try to stay alive."
© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.
