With little for Bills fans to be happy about Sunday, one bright spot was the play of cornerback Drayton Florence. The eight-year veteran had a career day as he posted the first two interception game of his career and his first career interception return for a touchdown.
Florence was able to give the Bills some early momentum getting both interceptions in the first quarter with his touchdown return giving the Bills an early 7-0 lead.
His first takeaway came on the third play from scrimmage. Future hall of famer Brett Favre was in shotgun formation at their own 40-yard line when rookie linebacker Arthur Moats made a big hit on the veteran quarterback outside the pocket as Favre threw a pass. The ball fluttered up into the air and Florence grabbed it out of the air.
"He (Favre) pretty much threw it anyway", said Florence. "I just tried to make the catch—that was what happened on the first one."
After Favre left the game due to the injury sustained on the play, talented backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson entered the game and posed a new threat for the Bills defense.
"Well with Jackson in the game he is a double threat- run and pass," said Florence. "So it made it more difficult for us. If Brett stayed in the game, he does not like to scramble around and run for the first down, he likes to throw it. When Jackson came in we had to plaster a little bit more (in coverage). He came in and made some good throws obviously. He had a lot to prove here in Minnesota, playing behind Brett so I think he did a great job when he had a chance."
Even though Jackson provided a spark to the Vikings offense, Florence made his biggest play of the game against him.
With Minnesota on their own 33 yard line, Jackson was in shotgun formation and attempted a short pass to wide receiver Greg Camarillo that Florence jumped on and returned it untouched 40 yards into the end zone.
"When they get in that stack formation, you know what they are going to run," said Florence. "We had seen it on film all week. I just read my keys, waited for him to throw it and picked it off for six."
The Bills cornerback now has the only two defensive touchdowns of the season, with his 27-yard fumble return against Cincinnati two weeks ago being the first.
It's nothing new for Florence who had success in college scoring defensive touchdowns. He set the record at Tuskegee University with three interceptions returned for touchdowns.
After his two interception day Sunday, Florence now has 14 in his career and leads the team with three on the season. He needs just one more to tie a career-high of four set in 2004.
Even though he personally had a good game, Florence was not satisfied with another loss.
"This business is not about hanging in the game it is about winning," said Florence. "We did not do that. We have got to go back to the drawing board."
Originally a second-round draft choice of the San Diego Chargers in 2003, Florence has proven to be a key acquisition of the Bills in 2009 and a steady asset to the defensive backfield ever since. Hopefully Florence and the rest of the defense can continue to produce turnovers this week at home against the Cleveland Brown's 28th ranked pass offense.
