Published: September 19, 2007 11:29 pm      

BILLS NOTEBOOK: Numbers aren’t pretty through first two weeks

Through the first two games of the season, one could make a convincing argument the Buffalo Bills are the worst team in the National Football League.

The numbers seem to back that up, as the Bills are 31st in total offense, including last in passing, last in first downs and 30th in points. The defense is also 31st overall, including 30th against the run and on third downs and tied for 30th in first downs allowed.

“It’s kind of frustrating, but we can’t get down on it,” running back Marshawn Lynch said. “That’s why we come out to practice everyday, to make sure we fine tune everything.”

Despite his team’s slow start, Bills coach Dick Jauron doesn’t feel like he has to hammer home a particular message this week.

“They understand where we are and they understand the huge challenge that faces us,” Jauron said of the team.

Going up against the New England Patriots — who have scored 38 points in each of their first two games, both convincing wins — means few, if any, fans expect the Bills to come out on top. Buffalo quarterback J.P. Losman said the Bills need to use that to their advantage.

“Nobody is going to give us a shot and we understand that,” Losman said. “Probably not just based off the previous two weeks (two Bills’ losses), but because (that’s) just the way it is. They’re always going to be the favorite, so we know nobody is giving us a shot except us. ... This is a better time then ever to show what kind of team we are and how much fight we have.”



Injury update

Linebackers Keith Ellison (ankle) and Coy Wire (knee) and defensive end Ryan Denney (foot) all will be out Sunday against the Patriots.

Offensive guard Brad Butler (shoulder) and cornerbacks Terrence McGee (ribs) and Ashton Youboty (hip) all missed at least a portion of Wednesday’s workout.

“It’s always a concern when they don’t practice so we’ll just have to see,” Jauron said of the injuries to Butler and Youboty. “We’re hoping that both of them get better real fast and they could.”



Everett news encouraging

To a man, the Bills were happy to hear the recent reports of the progress tight end Kevin Everett continues to make from the spine injury he suffered against Denver.

“It’s just tremendous. There’s still a long way to go,” Jauron said. “I think that our medical staff and doctors have used that term ‘cautiously optimistic’ but the news just gets a little bit better every day and he gets a little better every day. It’s really encouraging.”

Contact reporter Jay Skurski at 693-1000, ext. 117.