By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.(AP) -- It wasn't that long ago, in the
springtime of the Buffalo Bills' offseason, when T.O.-mania was
in its infancy. A buzz of hope bloomed around town that this
franchise might finally be relevant again.
Where have all the good times gone?
"That's self-explanatory," defensive tackle Marcus Stroud said.
"They went with the losses."
Off to a 3-5 start, the Bills stumbled into their bye this week
resembling an all-too familiar team that's spent much of this
decade floundering in mediocrity, and already is in jeopardy of
going 0-for-the-century in playoff berths.
Coach Dick Jauron is on the hot seat, the offense blindly inept
and much of the team riddled with injuries. The fan base is
frustrated, booing the team off the field during the past two
home games, and raising enough money to rent a billboard last
month urging team owner Ralph Wilson to clean house.
Cornerback Leodis McKelvin's front lawn has been vandalized
following his costly fumble in a season-opening loss at New
England. Quarterback Trent Edwards, when not hurt, can't shed
the "Captain Checkdown" label. And most of all, whatever sizzle
Terrell Owens once generated has long since fizzled.
"I think it can probably feel that way," Owens said. "I think
with the expectations of the season, myself included by coming
here, the bar was raised. And so, we're nowhere near it. And I
think that's where the air's kind of been let out a little bit."
The Bills' tire is flat for the most part because of a
sputtering offense that's failed to overcome a tumultuous start
when coordinator Turk Schonert was abruptly fired in September,
replaced by first-timer Alex Van Pelt.
More changes followed, with veteran tackle Langston Walker cut,
leaving an offensive line featuring three players who had never
appeared in an NFL game. And Jauron was eventually forced to
scrap his pet project of a no-huddle offense before Week 6, when
it became apparent the aggressive attack lacked bite.
Buffalo has been held to under 250 yards four times this season,
hasn't had a quarterback produce 200 yards passing in its past
six games, and is coming off consecutive outings in which it
mustered nine first downs.
Things have been so bad that Owens and fellow receiver Lee Evans
have been rendered nearly irrelevant in a popgun passing attack
that can't get the ball deep because the young line has trouble
protecting the quarterback.
Owens, who ranks in the top six of nearly every NFL career
receiving category, hasn't had a 70-yard game yet this season.
With 281 yards receiving, it marks Owens' worst first half since
his rookie year with San Francisco in 1996.
So much for Owens' addition complementing Evans. Combined, they
have 612 yards receiving, which would put them fifth in the NFL
this season, just ahead of Pittsburgh's Hines Ward, who has 602
yards despite playing in one fewer game.
Jauron has acknowledged he failed to account for what impact a
young line and the no-huddle would have on his offense.
"Yeah, I would have to say that I did misjudge on some
(decisions) because we're not doing very well," he said this
week. "And there's no place to go but me."
If not for rookie safety Jairus Byrd leading a
turnover-generating defense, the Bills might be in worse shape
in the standings.
A second-round draft pick out of Oregon, Byrd is tied for the
NFL lead with seven interceptions. That included two
interceptions in a 31-10 loss to Houston last weekend, making
Byrd the first NFL player to have two or more in three
consecutive games since San Francisco's Dave Baker in 1960.
The defense generated six interceptions in a 16-13 overtime win
over the Jets on Oct. 18, and followed a week later by forcing
four more turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble) in a 20-9
at Carolina.
The trouble for the defense is it's missing numerous starters to
injuries, and also is being worn down by an offense that can't
sustain drives. Buffalo and Oakland rank last in the NFL with an
average time of possession of 26:38, and the Bills are being
outscored by a whopping 70-40 in the fourth quarter.
Owens blames the offense.
"Just like the last game, we only had 45 plays, and the defense
was out there for like 70-plus," Owens said. "When you give a
team a short field, I mean, Barney Fife, Alvin and the Chipmunks
can go out there and score."
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