Nando Di Fino - The 2011 NFL season was supposed to be a little goofy early on because of the lockout-induced truncated offseason. But it wasn’t supposed to be this goofy: the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions will enter Week 4 with a combined 6-0 record. The Bills have scored more points than any team in the league; the Lions have scored the fourth-most, while holding opponents to 15.3 points per game, the third-best in the NFL. On Sunday, both teams overcame at least 20-point deficits to pull off wins. “Welcome to the Bizarro World start to the NFL season,” Yahoo’s Dan Wetzel writes. “where old scenarios are producing new results and unexpected emotions in the most unlikely of places.”
No result seemed to fit the unpredictable theme better than Buffalo’s 34-31 victory over the Patriots, a team the Bills hadn’t beaten in 15 tries dating to 2003. Down 21-0 in the second quarter, the Bills improbably rallied, intercepting Tom Brady four times in the victory (“Four picks?” Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News writes. “Brady threw four all season in 2010 — in 492 attempts. He matched that in about 2 1/2 hours Sunday.”) Brady actually set a record in this game for accruing more passing yards over a three-game span than any quarterback in NFL history. But fans only cared about another record, this one unofficial and set by the Bills: according to the Elias Sports Bureau, no team in league history had come back from an 18-point deficit in two consecutive games. The 2011 Bills are the first, having pulled off a similar comeback in Week 2 against the Raiders.
ESPN’s Sports & Information department notes that the Bills and Lions games mark the first time since Sept. 12, 1999 that two teams overcame such big holes on the same day of the NFL season. “Why is 1999 important?” Stats & Info’s blog asks. “That was the last season that the Bills and Lions each made the playoffs.” Dean Hybl of Sports Then and Now goes back even deeper into history, comparing the 2011 Bills and Lions to their 1980 counterparts, teams that also began the seasons with winning streaks. “It is certainly too early to pencil either the Bills or Lions in the playoffs,” Hybl writes, “but with starts reminiscent of the 1980 campaign, both teams seem headed in the right direction.” The Journal’s Jason Gay takes it one step further – he’s not above (not entirely seriously) talking a Bills-Lions Super Bowl.
Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks says that however unexpected this is, the Bills shouldn’t be considered flukes. Last year, they piled up plenty of heartbreaking losses and played in three overtime games against playoff teams. Because of that experience, they were able to better handle this year’s adversity. “The Bills might have lost every one of those thrillers last year, but those games are paying dividends this time around,” Banks writes. “This season, Buffalo is mastering the art of the comeback, and it’s learning how to win the close games it once routinely lost. These Bills are mentally tougher than any recent Buffalo club.”
As for the Lions, who rallied back from being down 20 to defeat the Vikings in overtime, this 3-0 start already includes two road wins, which, according to Steve Schrader of the Detroit Free Press, is pretty significant. “The last time they had more than that was 2004,” Schrader writes, “when they had three.” And when things are going well for a team, as they currently are in Detroit, your players are allowed to take to Twitter and make light of their sub-par performances. “Only a couple catches,” receiver Nate Burleson tweeted after the win, “but my biggest play of the game was callin ‘HEADS’ in OT!”
* * *
A week after being removed from a game because of a concussion, Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick again departed with an injury on Sunday, this time due to a broken right (non-throwing) hand in his team’s 29-16 loss to the New York Giants. Vick will see a hand specialist and have a CT scan Monday, and his status for next week against San Francisco is uncertain. After Sunday’s game Vick suggested that he wasn’t getting late hit and helmet-to-helmet penalty calls that other quarterbacks around the league were getting. He made sure to point out that he wasn’t blaming the referees, but pretty much every headline on Monday screamed that he was.
“Every time I throw the ball in all my highlights and just watching film in general, every time I throw the ball I’m on the ground, getting hit in the head and I don’t know why,” Vick told reporters. “I don’t get the 15-yard flags like everybody else does but hey — I’m not going to complain about it. I’m just making everybody aware.” Vick repeatedly assured reporters that he wasn’t ripping into officials, but did say that this was a recurring problem and he had even mentioned it to the referees in training camp when they had their meeting. Phil Sheridan of the Philadelphia Inquirer says that Vick should be blaming his offensive line and coach before the referees, while also arguing that Vick’s style of play contributes to the lack of calls. “With his ability to break tackles and run, Vick almost forces defensive players to follow through if the play is close,” Sheridan writes. “A 15-yard penalty isn’t as bad as a 30-yard run. And because Vick is capable of escaping from situations that other quarterbacks can’t, referees are hesitant to blow a play dead until they have to. The Eagles would complain about quick whistles taking potential big plays away, too.”
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Bills vs. Patriots "Will The Bills Break There 15 Game Losing Streak"
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- There's a moment captured in NFL Films' "Bill Belichick: A Football Life" in which the Patriots squeak out a 17-10 win in Buffalo late in the 2009 season and New England's coach tells his son on the sideline, "We sweated that one out, like we always do against these guys."
It wasn't exactly the truth.
Not only have the Patriots won 15 straight regular-season meetings against the Bills -- the fourth-longest streak in NFL history -- they haven't lost in Buffalo since opening day in 2003 (Lawyer Milloy's revenge game). During those seven straight wins in Orchard Park, N.Y., the Patriots have won by an average of 23 points per game, including a 56-10 thrashing in 2007 and a 34-3 throttling last year.
But it's a new season, and it's more likely that Belichick showed his troops clips from that 2009 game than any of the 39 touchdowns or 4,105 yards that Tom Brady has thrown for in 18 career games against Buffalo (tops of any opponent he's faced).
"It doesn't get any easier for us," sighed Vince Wilfork. "We're going to have to go on the road and play some good football if we want to walk away with the W. But it's going to be tough, I guarantee you that, because this is a new Buffalo Bills team. They're 2-0. Looking at them on film, they're making big plays after big plays. They actually look pretty good. It's not smoke and mirrors with them. They're the real deal, and that's how we approach it.
"Right now, no consecutive games, how many we won against them, that doesn't have anything to do with this year. It's going to be a tough-fought football game."
There are certainly reasons for the Patriots to be wary of Buffalo. The Bills boast the league's top rushing and scoring offense through two games. After throttling Kansas City in Week 1, Buffalo clawed its way back to top Oakland, showing more resiliency than has been spotted in recent years.
Alas, New England's toughest opponent might be the injury bug. The Patriots emerged battered and bruised from last Sunday's win over the Chargers. After putting two players -- center Dan Koppen and defensive lineman Myron Pryor -- on injured reserve this week, the team's final injury report still contained 15 names, including three players who are officially out (tight end Aaron Hernandez, offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer and defensive lineman Mike Wright) and eight who are questionable.
The injuries have forced the Patriots to scramble a bit, making a handful of roster moves in order to add depth in thinned areas (defensive line, secondary). Heck, New England isn't even certain if Zoltan Mesko (questionable, left knee) will be able to punt on Sunday, which could force some interesting fourth-down decisions.
"That's football," Belichick said with a shrug. "Every team has guys on the injury list. Every team has guys on injured reserve. You play with what you've got."
Offensively, there are fewer concerns, but the absence of Hernandez means the Patriots will likely have to make changes. After running 125 of their 151 offensive snaps with multiple tight ends, injuries -- and a lack of available tight ends -- might force the Patriots to open things up a bit. That could lead to opportunities for wide receiver Chad Ochocinco to assert himself after all the scrutiny he endured from tweeting his "awe" of the Patriots' early season efforts.
[+] EnlargeChad Ochocinco
Elsa/Getty ImagesChad Ochocinco has just three catches for 59 yards in two games.
Up front, the loss of Vollmer will press rookie Nate Solder back into a starting role. He performed admirably in Week 1 in Miami against the likes of Pro Bowler Cameron Wake, showing glimpses of why he was the 17th overall pick in the draft. The Patriots do lose the ability to utilize him as a blocking third tight end, a luxury enjoyed last week against San Diego with Vollmer able to suit up.
Defensively, it's a bit more daunting. The secondary is ailing. Rookie cornerback Ras-I Dowling (hip) and safety Patrick Chung (hand) are part of the group listed as questionable. The Patriots were forced to bring in former 49ers corner Phillip Adams as emergency depth, while Antwaun Molden, signed late in the preseason, could be thrust into a larger role than he had seen in three seasons with Houston.
The defensive line is dinged up, but that group can take some pressure off the secondary with a sustained pass rush, something that wasn't always there against San Diego. New England's defensive front will face its biggest ground challenge this week with Buffalo's rushing attack led by Fred Jackson.
Throughout the week, the Patriots showered Buffalo with praise, but Sunday's game might ultimately hinge on their own health and being able to overcome attrition.
And don't even bring up that 15-game winning streak.
"That doesn't really mean anything," Belichick told the Buffalo media on a conference call. "I mean, most of the players that played in those games will be watching them on TV, so I don't think that really matters."
Added Brady: "I'll tell you, [the streak doesn't mean] anything for this game. It doesn't matter if you have won 100 in a row. The team that is going to win this weekend is the team that plays the best. It has nothing to do with the team in '07 or the '05 game. None of that matters. The team that is going to win is the team that makes the most plays, that plays well under pressure [and] that does the right thing consistently over the course of 60 minutes.
"This is a dangerous team that is very talented and very explosive in all phases of the game. They have a great punter, great kicker; they're very good on special teams; [they have] a damn good defense and an offense that's scoring a ton of points. Certainly, we would never think that this team is not a threat."
It wasn't exactly the truth.
Not only have the Patriots won 15 straight regular-season meetings against the Bills -- the fourth-longest streak in NFL history -- they haven't lost in Buffalo since opening day in 2003 (Lawyer Milloy's revenge game). During those seven straight wins in Orchard Park, N.Y., the Patriots have won by an average of 23 points per game, including a 56-10 thrashing in 2007 and a 34-3 throttling last year.
But it's a new season, and it's more likely that Belichick showed his troops clips from that 2009 game than any of the 39 touchdowns or 4,105 yards that Tom Brady has thrown for in 18 career games against Buffalo (tops of any opponent he's faced).
"It doesn't get any easier for us," sighed Vince Wilfork. "We're going to have to go on the road and play some good football if we want to walk away with the W. But it's going to be tough, I guarantee you that, because this is a new Buffalo Bills team. They're 2-0. Looking at them on film, they're making big plays after big plays. They actually look pretty good. It's not smoke and mirrors with them. They're the real deal, and that's how we approach it.
"Right now, no consecutive games, how many we won against them, that doesn't have anything to do with this year. It's going to be a tough-fought football game."
There are certainly reasons for the Patriots to be wary of Buffalo. The Bills boast the league's top rushing and scoring offense through two games. After throttling Kansas City in Week 1, Buffalo clawed its way back to top Oakland, showing more resiliency than has been spotted in recent years.
Alas, New England's toughest opponent might be the injury bug. The Patriots emerged battered and bruised from last Sunday's win over the Chargers. After putting two players -- center Dan Koppen and defensive lineman Myron Pryor -- on injured reserve this week, the team's final injury report still contained 15 names, including three players who are officially out (tight end Aaron Hernandez, offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer and defensive lineman Mike Wright) and eight who are questionable.
The injuries have forced the Patriots to scramble a bit, making a handful of roster moves in order to add depth in thinned areas (defensive line, secondary). Heck, New England isn't even certain if Zoltan Mesko (questionable, left knee) will be able to punt on Sunday, which could force some interesting fourth-down decisions.
"That's football," Belichick said with a shrug. "Every team has guys on the injury list. Every team has guys on injured reserve. You play with what you've got."
Offensively, there are fewer concerns, but the absence of Hernandez means the Patriots will likely have to make changes. After running 125 of their 151 offensive snaps with multiple tight ends, injuries -- and a lack of available tight ends -- might force the Patriots to open things up a bit. That could lead to opportunities for wide receiver Chad Ochocinco to assert himself after all the scrutiny he endured from tweeting his "awe" of the Patriots' early season efforts.
[+] EnlargeChad Ochocinco
Elsa/Getty ImagesChad Ochocinco has just three catches for 59 yards in two games.
Up front, the loss of Vollmer will press rookie Nate Solder back into a starting role. He performed admirably in Week 1 in Miami against the likes of Pro Bowler Cameron Wake, showing glimpses of why he was the 17th overall pick in the draft. The Patriots do lose the ability to utilize him as a blocking third tight end, a luxury enjoyed last week against San Diego with Vollmer able to suit up.
Defensively, it's a bit more daunting. The secondary is ailing. Rookie cornerback Ras-I Dowling (hip) and safety Patrick Chung (hand) are part of the group listed as questionable. The Patriots were forced to bring in former 49ers corner Phillip Adams as emergency depth, while Antwaun Molden, signed late in the preseason, could be thrust into a larger role than he had seen in three seasons with Houston.
The defensive line is dinged up, but that group can take some pressure off the secondary with a sustained pass rush, something that wasn't always there against San Diego. New England's defensive front will face its biggest ground challenge this week with Buffalo's rushing attack led by Fred Jackson.
Throughout the week, the Patriots showered Buffalo with praise, but Sunday's game might ultimately hinge on their own health and being able to overcome attrition.
And don't even bring up that 15-game winning streak.
"That doesn't really mean anything," Belichick told the Buffalo media on a conference call. "I mean, most of the players that played in those games will be watching them on TV, so I don't think that really matters."
Added Brady: "I'll tell you, [the streak doesn't mean] anything for this game. It doesn't matter if you have won 100 in a row. The team that is going to win this weekend is the team that plays the best. It has nothing to do with the team in '07 or the '05 game. None of that matters. The team that is going to win is the team that makes the most plays, that plays well under pressure [and] that does the right thing consistently over the course of 60 minutes.
"This is a dangerous team that is very talented and very explosive in all phases of the game. They have a great punter, great kicker; they're very good on special teams; [they have] a damn good defense and an offense that's scoring a ton of points. Certainly, we would never think that this team is not a threat."
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs Gameday Preview Sept. 11 2011
The Buffalo Bills are hoping they have made the correct moves to revamp a defence that ranked dead last against the run in 2010.
Those moves will be put to the test in a big way this Sunday when they travel to Kansas City.
Head Coach Chan Gailey will bring his Bills into Arrowhead Stadium for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff with the Chiefs, the team that fired him before the 2009 season.
“I want to win them all,” Gailey told reporters Wednesday. “But when you’ve been somewhere and they’ve fired you? Yeah, if you said it didn’t mean a little more you’d be lying.”
The team’s off-season moves were made to beat teams like the Chiefs. Gone are former high draft picks Aaron Maybin and Paul Posluszny. In are Kirk Morrison, Nick Barnett and third-overall draft pick Marcell Dareus.
Though Bills fans haven’t had much to be excited about for the past three losing seasons in Orchard Park, the six-foot-three, 340 pound Dareus gives them hope.
Mike Mayock, the NBC College Football analyst and NFL Draft guru, rated the defensive lineman out of the University of Alabama his No. 1 defensive player in this past year’s draft class.
Dareus’s athleticism and size allow him to play anywhere on the line of the Bills 3-4 defence.
“He’s exactly what we thought we were going to get,” Gailey said. “He’s a big strong individual who plays with an edge … I think he’s going to be a very good football player for a long time in this league.”
Dareus will join with Kyle Williams and Dwan Edwards to be much more stout at the point of attack, hopefully clogging the running lanes for the Chiefs’ Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, who combined to rush for a league-best 2,363 yards last season.
“You have to get where you’re supposed to be, and you gotta get there fast with this guy,” Williams said about Charles. “If he gets a step, nobody’s gonna catch him.”
Charles primary concern
In his third season, Charles accumulated 1,467 yards on the ground, and another 468 through the air. He is most certainly the primary concern for the Bills defence.
They must also be conscious of the Chiefs’ passing attack, a unit led by quarterback Matt Cassel and his number-one wide out Dwayne Bowe.
The two hooked up on a franchise-record 15 touchdown passes last year, the best combination in the NFL, and added a proven receiver in Steve Breaston.
One way to disrupt the passing attack is with an effective pass rush, and that’s where the Bills’ rejuvenated Shawne Merriman expects to make an impact.
“Lights Out” went to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three years of his career, accumulating 39 1/2 sacks with the San Diego Chargers. But he suffered a season-ending knee injury early in 2008, and it has plagued him ever since.
The 27-year-old has totaled just four sacks over 18 games the past three years.
But with apparent good health and a strong pre-season under his belt, Merriman may be primed to wreak havoc on Cassel, who was rumoured to have fractured a rib in the final pre-season contest, but has said he will play regardless.
On the other side of the ball for the Bills, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will have to keep a keen eye on Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali, whose 14 1/2 sacks were second in the league last year.
Many are anxious to see how two young stars develop in the new season.
Fourth-year receiver Stevie Johnson came into his own in 2010, hauling in 1,073 yards and 10 majors. Running back CJ Spiller had a quiet rookie season after getting drafted ninth overall in 2010, but appeared to make strides late in the season.
Combined with veteran Fred Jackson, the Bills may have a dynamic back field duo of their own in the making.
What to watch for on offence: Will Donald Jones be able to fill the void left by the trade of Lee Evans?
What to watch for on defence: If the front seven holds up against the Chiefs running attack, how will the secondary play when tested?
Last Meeting: Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop made a 35-yard field goal with the clock showing zeros in overtime, giving Kansas City a 13-10 win in Week 8 last year. Charles ran for 177 yards in a game that saw both Succop and Bills kicker Rian Lindell miss potential game-winning kicks in OT.
Buffalo Bills Blitz Prediction: Bills 17, Chiefs 21.
Those moves will be put to the test in a big way this Sunday when they travel to Kansas City.
Head Coach Chan Gailey will bring his Bills into Arrowhead Stadium for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff with the Chiefs, the team that fired him before the 2009 season.
“I want to win them all,” Gailey told reporters Wednesday. “But when you’ve been somewhere and they’ve fired you? Yeah, if you said it didn’t mean a little more you’d be lying.”
The team’s off-season moves were made to beat teams like the Chiefs. Gone are former high draft picks Aaron Maybin and Paul Posluszny. In are Kirk Morrison, Nick Barnett and third-overall draft pick Marcell Dareus.
Though Bills fans haven’t had much to be excited about for the past three losing seasons in Orchard Park, the six-foot-three, 340 pound Dareus gives them hope.
Mike Mayock, the NBC College Football analyst and NFL Draft guru, rated the defensive lineman out of the University of Alabama his No. 1 defensive player in this past year’s draft class.
Dareus’s athleticism and size allow him to play anywhere on the line of the Bills 3-4 defence.
“He’s exactly what we thought we were going to get,” Gailey said. “He’s a big strong individual who plays with an edge … I think he’s going to be a very good football player for a long time in this league.”
Dareus will join with Kyle Williams and Dwan Edwards to be much more stout at the point of attack, hopefully clogging the running lanes for the Chiefs’ Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, who combined to rush for a league-best 2,363 yards last season.
“You have to get where you’re supposed to be, and you gotta get there fast with this guy,” Williams said about Charles. “If he gets a step, nobody’s gonna catch him.”
Charles primary concern
In his third season, Charles accumulated 1,467 yards on the ground, and another 468 through the air. He is most certainly the primary concern for the Bills defence.
They must also be conscious of the Chiefs’ passing attack, a unit led by quarterback Matt Cassel and his number-one wide out Dwayne Bowe.
The two hooked up on a franchise-record 15 touchdown passes last year, the best combination in the NFL, and added a proven receiver in Steve Breaston.
One way to disrupt the passing attack is with an effective pass rush, and that’s where the Bills’ rejuvenated Shawne Merriman expects to make an impact.
“Lights Out” went to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three years of his career, accumulating 39 1/2 sacks with the San Diego Chargers. But he suffered a season-ending knee injury early in 2008, and it has plagued him ever since.
The 27-year-old has totaled just four sacks over 18 games the past three years.
But with apparent good health and a strong pre-season under his belt, Merriman may be primed to wreak havoc on Cassel, who was rumoured to have fractured a rib in the final pre-season contest, but has said he will play regardless.
On the other side of the ball for the Bills, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will have to keep a keen eye on Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali, whose 14 1/2 sacks were second in the league last year.
Many are anxious to see how two young stars develop in the new season.
Fourth-year receiver Stevie Johnson came into his own in 2010, hauling in 1,073 yards and 10 majors. Running back CJ Spiller had a quiet rookie season after getting drafted ninth overall in 2010, but appeared to make strides late in the season.
Combined with veteran Fred Jackson, the Bills may have a dynamic back field duo of their own in the making.
What to watch for on offence: Will Donald Jones be able to fill the void left by the trade of Lee Evans?
What to watch for on defence: If the front seven holds up against the Chiefs running attack, how will the secondary play when tested?
Last Meeting: Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop made a 35-yard field goal with the clock showing zeros in overtime, giving Kansas City a 13-10 win in Week 8 last year. Charles ran for 177 yards in a game that saw both Succop and Bills kicker Rian Lindell miss potential game-winning kicks in OT.
Buffalo Bills Blitz Prediction: Bills 17, Chiefs 21.
Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs Free Pick Sunday Sept 11, 2011
Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs NFL Free Pick: This game has really jumped around. I believe it opened at -7 then went down as far as -5, maybe even 4.5 – I got it when it was -5 at each book that I follow, and I thought that was really right on the money. The Buffalo Bills couldn’t really stop any kind of rushing attack last season and the Chiefs just ran the ball on anybody and everybody they lined up against on Sunday. Jamaal Charles had an amazing season, averaging over 6 yards per rush and breaking big play after big play.
But has their been some sense of “fat and happy-ness” going on with the Chiefs? Nobody expected them to do anything last year and suddenly they’re in the playoffs. It didn’t go so well from there, but regardless, making it to the playoffs is definitely success. This preseason, they’ve been playing like a team that already won, and therefore they’ve been garbage. They were so bad that their head coach played them the entire 4th preseason game, a contest where most starters hardly play, if at all.
The Bills may not have a chance to win 10 games this season, but they’ve been fighters for a while now. Still, I went with the Chiefs because of their impressive home field advantage, and their solid running game against a bad run defense. But I’m far from cashing this check before I watch the entire game.
But has their been some sense of “fat and happy-ness” going on with the Chiefs? Nobody expected them to do anything last year and suddenly they’re in the playoffs. It didn’t go so well from there, but regardless, making it to the playoffs is definitely success. This preseason, they’ve been playing like a team that already won, and therefore they’ve been garbage. They were so bad that their head coach played them the entire 4th preseason game, a contest where most starters hardly play, if at all.
The Bills may not have a chance to win 10 games this season, but they’ve been fighters for a while now. Still, I went with the Chiefs because of their impressive home field advantage, and their solid running game against a bad run defense. But I’m far from cashing this check before I watch the entire game.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Buffalo Bills Cut down to 53 Man Roster, Roosevelt And Jasper Could Be On Practice Squad
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - The lack of experienced depth along the Buffalo Bills offensive line grew even thinner after veteran center Geoff Hangartner was among the team's cuts in establishing its 53-player roster Saturday.
Hangartner was among 22 players released four days after telling The Associated Press he had assurances from the Bills' coaching staff that he would make the team. He's a six-year NFL veteran who had lost his starting job at center to Eric Wood this offseason.
Coach Chan Gailey said he never provided Hangartner any assurances.
"I've never said that," Gailey said.
Hangartner wasn't available for comment. His agent, Eric Metz, declined comment except to say, "After 27 years of this, it's all about actions, not words."
The move was considered a surprise, especially after both Gailey and general manager Buddy Nix expressed concern about the line's lack of experience during training camp.
Hangartner was the Bills' most experienced and highest paid lineman. He was scheduled to make $2.55 million this year, and $5.35 million in base salary over the final two years of his contract.
The Bills open at Kansas City on Sept. 11. They went 1-3 in the preseason in which their Ryan Fitzpatrick-led offense was inconsistent. And they're coming off a 4-12 finish last year.
"Each individual decision is on its own merits," Gailey said. He added that the moves were made based on "knowledge, insight and opinion and what we feel is best for the opportunity to beat Kansas City and for the future of our football team."
Buffalo also cut three more offensive linemen, second-year tackle Cordaro Howard, third-year guard Mansfield Wrotto and rookie center Michael Switzer. Second-year tackle Ed Wang (shoulder) was one of four players placed on the waived injured list.
Those moves leave the team with three tackles, including rookie fourth-round pick Chris Hairston, who is currently serving as the lone backup. Starting guard Andy Levitre also has experience playing the position.
Wang made headlines in becoming the first player with direct Chinese ancestry to be selected in the NFL draft last year, when the Bills chose him in the fifth round out of Virginia Tech. He missed much of last season with a thumb injury, and was then sidelined for part of training camp last month with a shoulder injury.
Third-year safety Jon Corto (shoulder) was also waived/injured, while running back Bruce Hall was placed on injured reserve.
Receiver Craig Davis failed to make the best out of his second chance. A first-round pick in 2007, Davis had four unproductive seasons before being released by the San Diego Chargers this year and signing with the Bills early last month.
Davis was beaten out by Ruvell Martin, a fifth-year player who had signed with the Bills 10 days earlier.
"First of all, he did a great job of picking up the offense quickly," Gailey said of Martin. "And he played well on special teams. It was a good combination to have coming in on short notice."
Cornerback Reggie Corner, a 2008 fourth-round draft pick, was among the players cut. His departure leaves the Bills with five cornerbacks, including two rookies: second-round pick Aaron Williams and seventh-rounder Justin Rogers.
Also cut was rookie defensive tackle Michael Jasper. At 6-foot-4 and 383 pounds, Jasper was considered a project after being selected with the second of the team's two seventh-round picks out of Bethel University.
Gailey described Jasper as "a viable candidate" to be placed on the Bills' practice squad should he go unclaimed on waivers.
Second-year tight end Shawn Nelson was also cut in a move that didn't come as a surprise. He's been hampered by an assortment of injuries and opened last season missing the first four games while serving an NFL-imposed suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He appeared in only five games last season before being placed on the reserve/injured non-football injury list as a result of migraines.
A fourth-round pick out of Southern Mississippi, Nelson then missed most of training camp last month with a leg injury.
Two rookie undrafted free agents made the roster: linebacker Robert Eddins (Ball State) and tight end Zack Pianalto (North Carolina). Eddins had a solid training camp, while Gailey said Pianalto showed enough potential despite being slowed by a hamstring injury.
Hangartner was among 22 players released four days after telling The Associated Press he had assurances from the Bills' coaching staff that he would make the team. He's a six-year NFL veteran who had lost his starting job at center to Eric Wood this offseason.
Coach Chan Gailey said he never provided Hangartner any assurances.
"I've never said that," Gailey said.
Hangartner wasn't available for comment. His agent, Eric Metz, declined comment except to say, "After 27 years of this, it's all about actions, not words."
The move was considered a surprise, especially after both Gailey and general manager Buddy Nix expressed concern about the line's lack of experience during training camp.
Hangartner was the Bills' most experienced and highest paid lineman. He was scheduled to make $2.55 million this year, and $5.35 million in base salary over the final two years of his contract.
The Bills open at Kansas City on Sept. 11. They went 1-3 in the preseason in which their Ryan Fitzpatrick-led offense was inconsistent. And they're coming off a 4-12 finish last year.
"Each individual decision is on its own merits," Gailey said. He added that the moves were made based on "knowledge, insight and opinion and what we feel is best for the opportunity to beat Kansas City and for the future of our football team."
Buffalo also cut three more offensive linemen, second-year tackle Cordaro Howard, third-year guard Mansfield Wrotto and rookie center Michael Switzer. Second-year tackle Ed Wang (shoulder) was one of four players placed on the waived injured list.
Those moves leave the team with three tackles, including rookie fourth-round pick Chris Hairston, who is currently serving as the lone backup. Starting guard Andy Levitre also has experience playing the position.
Wang made headlines in becoming the first player with direct Chinese ancestry to be selected in the NFL draft last year, when the Bills chose him in the fifth round out of Virginia Tech. He missed much of last season with a thumb injury, and was then sidelined for part of training camp last month with a shoulder injury.
Third-year safety Jon Corto (shoulder) was also waived/injured, while running back Bruce Hall was placed on injured reserve.
Receiver Craig Davis failed to make the best out of his second chance. A first-round pick in 2007, Davis had four unproductive seasons before being released by the San Diego Chargers this year and signing with the Bills early last month.
Davis was beaten out by Ruvell Martin, a fifth-year player who had signed with the Bills 10 days earlier.
"First of all, he did a great job of picking up the offense quickly," Gailey said of Martin. "And he played well on special teams. It was a good combination to have coming in on short notice."
Cornerback Reggie Corner, a 2008 fourth-round draft pick, was among the players cut. His departure leaves the Bills with five cornerbacks, including two rookies: second-round pick Aaron Williams and seventh-rounder Justin Rogers.
Also cut was rookie defensive tackle Michael Jasper. At 6-foot-4 and 383 pounds, Jasper was considered a project after being selected with the second of the team's two seventh-round picks out of Bethel University.
Gailey described Jasper as "a viable candidate" to be placed on the Bills' practice squad should he go unclaimed on waivers.
Second-year tight end Shawn Nelson was also cut in a move that didn't come as a surprise. He's been hampered by an assortment of injuries and opened last season missing the first four games while serving an NFL-imposed suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He appeared in only five games last season before being placed on the reserve/injured non-football injury list as a result of migraines.
A fourth-round pick out of Southern Mississippi, Nelson then missed most of training camp last month with a leg injury.
Two rookie undrafted free agents made the roster: linebacker Robert Eddins (Ball State) and tight end Zack Pianalto (North Carolina). Eddins had a solid training camp, while Gailey said Pianalto showed enough potential despite being slowed by a hamstring injury.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Syracuse Orangmen beat Wake Forset OT 36-29, Chew Catches TD
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Van Chew made a diving 4-yard touchdown catch in the left flat at the goal line on the first series of overtime, and Syracuse rallied past Wake Forest 36-29 on Thursday night in the season-opener for both teams.
The Demon Deacons got the ball one last time, but the Syracuse defense held for one of the few times on the night and forced a fourth-down incompletion from the 19 from Ted Stachitas to Chris Givens in the right corner of the end zone.
Kevyn Scott appeared to secure the victory for Syracuse when he made a diving interception over the middle at the Wake Forest 32 with just over 5 minutes remaining and the game tied at 29-all. But Ross Krautman, who had made a school-record 16 straight field goals, had his 32-yard attempt blocked by Kyle Wilber with just under 3 minutes to go in regulation.
It was a breakthrough of sorts for the Orange. Syracuse's last win over a Football Bowl Subdivision team in the Carrier Dome was a 31-13 upset of Rutgers in November 2009. Syracuse was 0-4 last season against FBS teams in the Dome and hasn't had a winning season overall at home since it went 4-1 in 2004.
Wake Forest, which lost starting quarterback Tanner Price to an injury early in the fourth quarter, couldn't mount a threat behind backup Ted Stachitas. Price was 18 of 31 for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
The Orange had rallied furiously after trailing 29-14 early in the fourth quarter.
After Jimmy Newman's 40-yard field goal gave Wake Forest a 15-point lead with 11:02 left, Syracuse's Antwon Bailey scored on a 53-yard run around the left side and quarterback Ryan Nassib hit fullback Adam Harris for a 2-yard score with 8:26 left.
Price hit Chris Givens on scores of 60 and 22 yards, and had a pretty 16-yarder on a third-and-goal play to Michael Camapanaro.
The defense was supposed to be the weak link for the Orange with a veteran offense returning. It was until the end, and so was the offense until it finally got untracked late against Wake's 3-4 spread.
Nassib was 12 of 20 for 85 yards passing through three quarters and finished 20 of 28 for 178 for the Orange.
The Syracuse defense, which lost its heart with the graduation of linebackers Derrell Smith and Doug Hogue, missed too many tackles and never mounted any kind of pressure on Price, and he repeatedly made them pay. Price had 12 completions of 13 yards or more.
Free safety Phillip Thomas was burned twice by Givens on long passes. Givens hauled in a 37-yard pass in the first quarter to help set up Jimmy Newman's 38-yard field goal, his 13th straight conversion. Givens then blew past Thomas again on the right side and caught a 60-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage after Syracuse had scored its first touchdown.
The Orange offense finally got going when Nassib hit tight end Nick Provo over the middle at the Wake Forest 15. Provo broke a tackle by linebacker Riley Haynes and rumbled into the end zone for a 7-6 lead with 9:29 left in the first half.
The Demon Deacons scored again on their final possession of the first half when the Orange were unable to stop a third-and-goal play from the 16 and just over 2 minutes to play.
Price ignored the bad snap on the previous play that had resulted in a 13-yard loss and hit Camapanaro in the right corner of the end zone behind a stumbling strong safety Shamarko Thomas, and Wake Forest went to the locker room with a 20-7 lead.
In the first half, Syracuse gained just 52 yards on 22 plays offensively, and its defense was torched for 258 yards on 45 plays
Syracuse closed to 20-14 on Bailey's 1-yard run with 5:33 left in the third. The Orange capitalized on a roughing-the-passer penalty against linebacker Joey Ehrmann on a third-down incompletion from the Wake Forest 11. Ehrmann's father probably had a nice view of the infraction — he played for Syracuse in the early 1970s and was signing books on Wednesday night at a local theater.
Undaunted, after converting a fourth-and-1, Price hit Campanaro over the middle for 18 yards. Givens then scored on a 22-yard catch-and-run on the next play, easily breaking a weak tackle attempt by Kevyn Scott in the left flat and scampering untouched down the sideline for a 26-14 lead with 20 seconds left in the third.
With eight returning starters on offense and a quarterback with one year as the starter under his belt for the Orange, that side of the ball was being counted on. Instead it sputtered mightily, gaining minus-5 yards in the opening quarter and did not get its initial first down until 11 minutes remained in the first half.
The Orange also were hampered by their enthusiasm, getting called for five penalties in the first quarter alone. A terrific punt by Shane Raupers was nullified when Dorian Graham slammed Campanaro a split second before he touched the ball. That gave the Deacons the ball near midfield and Newman kicked a 37-yard field goal early in the second for a 6-0 lead.
Syracuse finished last season by gaining nearly 500 yards offensively in a 36-34 victory over Kansas State in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. The team trotted the trophy out at halftime, but on this night that triumph seemed a distant memory until the frantic finish.
The Demon Deacons got the ball one last time, but the Syracuse defense held for one of the few times on the night and forced a fourth-down incompletion from the 19 from Ted Stachitas to Chris Givens in the right corner of the end zone.
Kevyn Scott appeared to secure the victory for Syracuse when he made a diving interception over the middle at the Wake Forest 32 with just over 5 minutes remaining and the game tied at 29-all. But Ross Krautman, who had made a school-record 16 straight field goals, had his 32-yard attempt blocked by Kyle Wilber with just under 3 minutes to go in regulation.
It was a breakthrough of sorts for the Orange. Syracuse's last win over a Football Bowl Subdivision team in the Carrier Dome was a 31-13 upset of Rutgers in November 2009. Syracuse was 0-4 last season against FBS teams in the Dome and hasn't had a winning season overall at home since it went 4-1 in 2004.
Wake Forest, which lost starting quarterback Tanner Price to an injury early in the fourth quarter, couldn't mount a threat behind backup Ted Stachitas. Price was 18 of 31 for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
The Orange had rallied furiously after trailing 29-14 early in the fourth quarter.
After Jimmy Newman's 40-yard field goal gave Wake Forest a 15-point lead with 11:02 left, Syracuse's Antwon Bailey scored on a 53-yard run around the left side and quarterback Ryan Nassib hit fullback Adam Harris for a 2-yard score with 8:26 left.
Price hit Chris Givens on scores of 60 and 22 yards, and had a pretty 16-yarder on a third-and-goal play to Michael Camapanaro.
The defense was supposed to be the weak link for the Orange with a veteran offense returning. It was until the end, and so was the offense until it finally got untracked late against Wake's 3-4 spread.
Nassib was 12 of 20 for 85 yards passing through three quarters and finished 20 of 28 for 178 for the Orange.
The Syracuse defense, which lost its heart with the graduation of linebackers Derrell Smith and Doug Hogue, missed too many tackles and never mounted any kind of pressure on Price, and he repeatedly made them pay. Price had 12 completions of 13 yards or more.
Free safety Phillip Thomas was burned twice by Givens on long passes. Givens hauled in a 37-yard pass in the first quarter to help set up Jimmy Newman's 38-yard field goal, his 13th straight conversion. Givens then blew past Thomas again on the right side and caught a 60-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage after Syracuse had scored its first touchdown.
The Orange offense finally got going when Nassib hit tight end Nick Provo over the middle at the Wake Forest 15. Provo broke a tackle by linebacker Riley Haynes and rumbled into the end zone for a 7-6 lead with 9:29 left in the first half.
The Demon Deacons scored again on their final possession of the first half when the Orange were unable to stop a third-and-goal play from the 16 and just over 2 minutes to play.
Price ignored the bad snap on the previous play that had resulted in a 13-yard loss and hit Camapanaro in the right corner of the end zone behind a stumbling strong safety Shamarko Thomas, and Wake Forest went to the locker room with a 20-7 lead.
In the first half, Syracuse gained just 52 yards on 22 plays offensively, and its defense was torched for 258 yards on 45 plays
Syracuse closed to 20-14 on Bailey's 1-yard run with 5:33 left in the third. The Orange capitalized on a roughing-the-passer penalty against linebacker Joey Ehrmann on a third-down incompletion from the Wake Forest 11. Ehrmann's father probably had a nice view of the infraction — he played for Syracuse in the early 1970s and was signing books on Wednesday night at a local theater.
Undaunted, after converting a fourth-and-1, Price hit Campanaro over the middle for 18 yards. Givens then scored on a 22-yard catch-and-run on the next play, easily breaking a weak tackle attempt by Kevyn Scott in the left flat and scampering untouched down the sideline for a 26-14 lead with 20 seconds left in the third.
With eight returning starters on offense and a quarterback with one year as the starter under his belt for the Orange, that side of the ball was being counted on. Instead it sputtered mightily, gaining minus-5 yards in the opening quarter and did not get its initial first down until 11 minutes remained in the first half.
The Orange also were hampered by their enthusiasm, getting called for five penalties in the first quarter alone. A terrific punt by Shane Raupers was nullified when Dorian Graham slammed Campanaro a split second before he touched the ball. That gave the Deacons the ball near midfield and Newman kicked a 37-yard field goal early in the second for a 6-0 lead.
Syracuse finished last season by gaining nearly 500 yards offensively in a 36-34 victory over Kansas State in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. The team trotted the trophy out at halftime, but on this night that triumph seemed a distant memory until the frantic finish.
Detroit Lions Run Over Buffalo Bills 16-6
ORCHARD PARK -- Jerome Harrison ran for 72 yards and set up a pair of scores in helping the Detroit Lions complete a perfect preseason with a 16-6 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night.
Harrison's 47-yard run led to Maurice Stovall's 16-yard touchdown catch from Shaun Hill. And his 17-yard run set up Jason Hanson's 44-yard field goal that put the Lions up 10-0 late in the first half. The Lions went 4-0 in the preseason for the first time since 2008, though that's not a reason to get excited. Detroit then proceeded to become the first NFL team to lose all 16 regular-season games.
The Bills (1-3) got a solid outing from linebacker Shawne Merriman, who had three tackles in his first game since missing the past two with a groin injury.
Merriman burst into the backfield to pull down Best from behind for a 1-yard loss on the Lions first series. On the next series, Merriman ran down Brown from behind to trip him up and limit him to a 10-yard gain on third-and-12.
Bruce Hall scored on a 1-yard plunge late in the fourth quarter, but the Bills failed on a 2-point conversion.
Titans: Tennessee and Chris Johnson have agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension ending the three-time Pro Bowl running back's holdout. Johnson has led the NFL in yards rushing the past three seasons and refused to report to the camp without a new deal. Now he will be under contract for the next six years through 2016, and the revised deal is worth $53.5 million with $30 million guaranteed, according to a person familiar with the contract.
Jaguars: Running back Fred Taylor is retiring from the NFL after 13 seasons and nearly 12,000 yards. Taylor will sign a one-day contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday so he can retire with the team that drafted him ninth overall in 1998. The former Florida star spent 11 seasons in Jacksonville and remains the franchise's leading rusher with 11,271 yards.
Falcons: Atlanta beefed up its secondary depth by signing cornerback Kelvin Hayden and confirming ar deal with safety James Sanders. Hayden spent the last six years with Indianapolis before being cut in a salary cap move. Sanders started 49 games for New England over the last six years.
Harrison's 47-yard run led to Maurice Stovall's 16-yard touchdown catch from Shaun Hill. And his 17-yard run set up Jason Hanson's 44-yard field goal that put the Lions up 10-0 late in the first half. The Lions went 4-0 in the preseason for the first time since 2008, though that's not a reason to get excited. Detroit then proceeded to become the first NFL team to lose all 16 regular-season games.
The Bills (1-3) got a solid outing from linebacker Shawne Merriman, who had three tackles in his first game since missing the past two with a groin injury.
Merriman burst into the backfield to pull down Best from behind for a 1-yard loss on the Lions first series. On the next series, Merriman ran down Brown from behind to trip him up and limit him to a 10-yard gain on third-and-12.
Bruce Hall scored on a 1-yard plunge late in the fourth quarter, but the Bills failed on a 2-point conversion.
Titans: Tennessee and Chris Johnson have agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension ending the three-time Pro Bowl running back's holdout. Johnson has led the NFL in yards rushing the past three seasons and refused to report to the camp without a new deal. Now he will be under contract for the next six years through 2016, and the revised deal is worth $53.5 million with $30 million guaranteed, according to a person familiar with the contract.
Jaguars: Running back Fred Taylor is retiring from the NFL after 13 seasons and nearly 12,000 yards. Taylor will sign a one-day contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday so he can retire with the team that drafted him ninth overall in 1998. The former Florida star spent 11 seasons in Jacksonville and remains the franchise's leading rusher with 11,271 yards.
Falcons: Atlanta beefed up its secondary depth by signing cornerback Kelvin Hayden and confirming ar deal with safety James Sanders. Hayden spent the last six years with Indianapolis before being cut in a salary cap move. Sanders started 49 games for New England over the last six years.
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