eaglegene
12-28-2007, 04:09 PM
December 28, 2007
By: PAUL NASELLA
The Buffalo Bills were granted a Christmas miracle last Sunday in the form of tight end Kevin Everett.
Everett suffered a career-ending neck injury during the Bills' season opener on Sept. 9 when he tried to tackle Broncos return man Domenik Hixon during the opening kickoff of the second half. Everett immediately underwent a number of surgeries after sustaining the injury and although he was said to have a slim chance of walking again, Everett began to regain the feeling of each of his extremities, even his toes, within four days of suffering the injury.
On Dec. 7, Everett was able to walk under his own power and last Sunday he returned to Ralph Wilson Stadium to watch his teammates take on the Giants.
"Kevin is a huge part of our football team and still is," head coach Dick Jauron said. "We've all gone through this thing together. It's certainly been a lot more severe on Kevin and Kevin's family ... they were unbelievable the way they handled it, the family, our medical staff was just incredible in how they reacted to this and what they did in terms of surgery and Kevin has just kept working never lost faith."
"It was pretty emotional," rookie quarterback Trent Edwards said. "I'm not that emotional of a person and to just see him stand up and give me a hug, after the last time I had seen him facedown in the middle of our football field, it was a pretty emotional night."
It would have been understandable if the Bills collapsed and had a miserable season. But they persevered and can finish with a .500 record if they beat the Eagles on Sunday. A loss will put the Bills at 7-9 which is exactly the same record they had just a year ago. Their last winning season was in 2004, but with New England and the New York Jets ahead of them in their own division a 9-7 record wasn't good enough for the postseason.
In fact, the Bills are one of four teams - if you count Houston, an expansion team in 2002 - to have not made the playoffs this decade.
The playoffs at one point were within the grasp of the Bills who have gone through a streaky season. The Bills lost their first three games to open the season. They entered the bye week 1-4 and then ran off a series of four straight wins. After losing their next two, the Bills won their next two games over Washington and Miami to get to 7-6. However, the Bills have lost their past two contests and now can only hope to build momentum for next season.
The 2007 season has not only taught the Bills how to overcome adversity, but it's given their potential building blocks for the future a chance to enjoy significant playing time.
Edwards and fellow rookie Marshawn Lynch have assimilated themselves into the Bills offense. Edwards took the starting job from J.P. Losman early in the season and in eight starts (nine games total) has thrown for 1,497 yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 56.5 percent of his passes.
Lynch, who has been the best rookie running back not named Adrian Peterson, has gained 1,010 yards and scored seven touchdowns despite missing three games due to an ankle injury.
But this season has been more than just football for the Bills, it's been an opportunity to witness the miracle and blessing that has been bestowed upon one of their teammates.
"To be able to see him eye-to-eye and look into his eyes and shake his hand this past weekend and have him with the guys was just again, a great gift for all of us," said Jauron.
By: PAUL NASELLA
The Buffalo Bills were granted a Christmas miracle last Sunday in the form of tight end Kevin Everett.
Everett suffered a career-ending neck injury during the Bills' season opener on Sept. 9 when he tried to tackle Broncos return man Domenik Hixon during the opening kickoff of the second half. Everett immediately underwent a number of surgeries after sustaining the injury and although he was said to have a slim chance of walking again, Everett began to regain the feeling of each of his extremities, even his toes, within four days of suffering the injury.
On Dec. 7, Everett was able to walk under his own power and last Sunday he returned to Ralph Wilson Stadium to watch his teammates take on the Giants.
"Kevin is a huge part of our football team and still is," head coach Dick Jauron said. "We've all gone through this thing together. It's certainly been a lot more severe on Kevin and Kevin's family ... they were unbelievable the way they handled it, the family, our medical staff was just incredible in how they reacted to this and what they did in terms of surgery and Kevin has just kept working never lost faith."
"It was pretty emotional," rookie quarterback Trent Edwards said. "I'm not that emotional of a person and to just see him stand up and give me a hug, after the last time I had seen him facedown in the middle of our football field, it was a pretty emotional night."
It would have been understandable if the Bills collapsed and had a miserable season. But they persevered and can finish with a .500 record if they beat the Eagles on Sunday. A loss will put the Bills at 7-9 which is exactly the same record they had just a year ago. Their last winning season was in 2004, but with New England and the New York Jets ahead of them in their own division a 9-7 record wasn't good enough for the postseason.
In fact, the Bills are one of four teams - if you count Houston, an expansion team in 2002 - to have not made the playoffs this decade.
The playoffs at one point were within the grasp of the Bills who have gone through a streaky season. The Bills lost their first three games to open the season. They entered the bye week 1-4 and then ran off a series of four straight wins. After losing their next two, the Bills won their next two games over Washington and Miami to get to 7-6. However, the Bills have lost their past two contests and now can only hope to build momentum for next season.
The 2007 season has not only taught the Bills how to overcome adversity, but it's given their potential building blocks for the future a chance to enjoy significant playing time.
Edwards and fellow rookie Marshawn Lynch have assimilated themselves into the Bills offense. Edwards took the starting job from J.P. Losman early in the season and in eight starts (nine games total) has thrown for 1,497 yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 56.5 percent of his passes.
Lynch, who has been the best rookie running back not named Adrian Peterson, has gained 1,010 yards and scored seven touchdowns despite missing three games due to an ankle injury.
But this season has been more than just football for the Bills, it's been an opportunity to witness the miracle and blessing that has been bestowed upon one of their teammates.
"To be able to see him eye-to-eye and look into his eyes and shake his hand this past weekend and have him with the guys was just again, a great gift for all of us," said Jauron.