Monday Night reaction

What a heartbreaking loss for Demetrius Bell, Terrence McGee and the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football!

But it was not without highlights for the two former Demons. McGee received repeated praise by the ESPN announcing crew, especially former Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden, before he made a clutch breakup against star Patriots receiver Randy Moss on a two-point conversion play that momentarily seemed to give Buffalo a big advantage late in the game, leaving New England behind by five.

As for Bell, he seemed to make a good impression, based on the story in the Buffalo News this morning by Allen Wilson about the Bills' retooled and inexperienced offensive line:

Second-year left tackle Demetrius Bell and rookie guards Eric Wood and Andy Levitre held their own against the New England Patriots' defensive front seven for most of a disheartening 25-24 loss Monday night.

Bell got the left tackle job when the Bills surprisingly released Langston Walker, who was anointed as their guy after trading Jason Peters to the Philadelphia Eagles.

But the coaching staff grew increasingly impressed with Bell, a seventh-round draft pick who didn't play football at any level before 2005 and had only two years at left tackle at Northwestern (La.) State. Despite a sore back that sidelined him for a couple of weeks in the preseason, the Bills felt the time was right to give him a chance.

For the most part, Bell didn't let the team down Monday night. He made some nice blocks on run plays and protected quarterback Trent Edwards pretty well until late in the game.

"There were a lot of things I could have done better," Bell said. "For the most part, I finished every play and played every play. I didn't leave any doubts in my mind as far as playing hard and as far as working my techniques. But towards the end I kind of got out of my comfort zone. It was poor technique that got me beat. But overall, I had a hard-fought game."

If there was one thing Bell has to improve on it is penalties. He was flagged twice for failing to line up on the line of scrimmage and once for a false start. He also was penalized for holding, but the Patriots declined it.

"It wasn't inexperience," Bell said. "It's just making sure my head is even with the butt of the center. It's my job to get up on the line. On the false start, it was a lack of concentration. Those are mistakes I'll get cleaned up."

Guice lands in Winnipeg

Rookie free agent receiver Dudley Guice made it until the last round of NFL cuts with Tennessee and has quickly headed north of the border to the Canadian Football League. He's joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and already is turning heads, according to Ed Tait of the Winnipeg Free Press:

"Talk about favourable first impressions: leaping off the page at Friday's practice was new receiver Dudly Guice Jr. He was recently cut by the Tennessee Titans, but is a big target at 6-foot-4, looks to have solid hands and is very smooth. "He appears to be a very gifted athlete out there. He's going to come along rapidly," said head coach Mike Kelly... If you want to check out more on Mr. Guice Jr., check out his website at: http://www.dudleyguicejr.com/."

Condolences notes for Stephens family

For any Demons wanting to express condolences to the family of John Stephens, his mother Thelma Stephens can be reached at 418 Douglas Street, Springhill, LA 71075.

The Demon great was laid to rest in his hometown yesterday. He died in a one-vehicle wreck last Tuesday night.

Game updates on Facebook

If you hven't already signed up, get on Facebook and go to Northwestern State Demons to get not only in-game updates, but all sorts of NSU sports information.

Great update on Dwayne Watkins

Al Michaels made the phrase famous, courtesy of the 1980 USA Olympic gold-medal winning hockey team.

"Do you believe in miracles???? - YESSS!"

Assistant basketball coach Jeff Moore has an amazing report on Demon basketball player Dwayne Watkins, critically injured Friday in an automobile accident on I-49 near Opelousas when his car hydroplaned and he lost control during a heavy thunderstorm.

I went to see Dwayne last night and I was amazed at his recovery since seeing him last on Saturday night. He is talking and his eyes are open. He was able to carry on conversation and told me several times he was hungry. He is able to move all his limbs, although he is more active with his right side than his left. They have a little 8 inch tv set up right in front of him to watch due to him still being in the neck brace.

I talked to his mother this morning and she said the doctor said this morning that he will be moved out of ICU later today and they would be starting some rehab as well.

As I was getting ready to send this out his mother called to update me again. They got Dwayne out of bed and had him raise his arms and walk forward, backward, and to the side. Unbelievable…

Dwayne, his family, his teammates, our staff, athletic department, university and community appreciate your continued prayers for Dwayne and his recovery!

Jeff Moore
Asst. Men's Basketball Coach
Northwestern State University

Dwayne is at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette.