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."
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Sunday, September 25, 2011
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.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Syracuse vs. Wake Forset: Gametime Edition
Andrea Adelson - Nobody put much stock in a rebound from Syracuse last season, mostly because the program had been down for so long. The last bowl game came in 2004; the last bowl win in 2001.
But the Orange were one of the surprise teams of the 2010 season, making it back to a bowl game in Year 2 under coach Doug Marrone. As difficult as it was to turn around a losing program, perhaps an even bigger challenge awaits in Year 3: maintaining that momentum and moving forward.
William Perlman/The Star-Ledger/US PresswireLast season, Doug Marrone led Syracuse to its first bowl win since 2001.
Coaches always talk about the difficulty in sustaining success because so much is required of both players and coaches. All of a sudden, expectations are ratcheted up and everybody expects more wins and championships to follow. Syracuse was picked to finish fourth in the Big East preseason media poll, a clear indication of the respect that was earned with a 8-5 campaign in 2010.
So how do the Orange keep the momentum going that they built last season?
"We really don't talk a lot about last year," Marrone said. "But I do understand the question about what we're trying to do. Our goal is to be able to compete for a Big East championship. We've talked about that with our players. We want to be a consistent football team and one year doesn’t make you consistent. We haven't produced back-to-back winning seasons since 2001 or back-to-back bowl games since 1999. We haven't won a season opener two years in a row since 2000. There's a lot of things in terms of history because recently we have not been a good football team. This is what we're trying to change."
There was a time, of course, when Syracuse was a very good football team that competed for Big East championships. Marrone has his team pointed back in that direction. The offense has solid players in Antwon Bailey, Ryan Nassib, Van Chew, Alec Lemon and the entire offensive line. The defense is new this season, with six new starters, including both cornerbacks, both defensive tackles and true freshman Dyshawn Davis at linebacker.
Because of the youth, much of camp was spent teaching.
"When nobody’s looking is when you win games," defensive coordinator Scott Shafer said. "We watch video together and talk about what’s good, bad, unacceptable, acceptable and teach the kids what we’re looking for and the next day try to make real small improvements. If we can keep chipping away, we can be a competitive defense and give our offense a chance to get some drives and do things."
The opener provides a big test Thursday night. Wake Forest may have had a losing season last year, but it was not too long ago that the Demon Deacons were playing in the Orange Bowl as ACC champs. Syracuse does not have a great record against the ACC, going 1-12 against teams from that league since 1996. The strength of Wake Forest is in the backfield, where Josh Harris led the team with 720 yards rushing last season. He averaged 5.7 yards a carry -- the third-highest average in school history.
Syracuse has four new starters among its front seven and a new middle linebacker in Marquis Spruill, who started last season on the outside. So Wake most likely will try to pound Harris to perhaps expose some weaknesses in the Syracuse front. If Syracuse can contain him, the Orange will increase its chances of starting the season with another confidence-boosting win.
"It's not just the season opener," Marrone said. "It's every single game we play until we start winning and becoming consistent, history will be against us. Everyone says you want to get off to a fast start. You do because every game is meaningful. For us, every game's a dogfight."
But the Orange were one of the surprise teams of the 2010 season, making it back to a bowl game in Year 2 under coach Doug Marrone. As difficult as it was to turn around a losing program, perhaps an even bigger challenge awaits in Year 3: maintaining that momentum and moving forward.
William Perlman/The Star-Ledger/US PresswireLast season, Doug Marrone led Syracuse to its first bowl win since 2001.
Coaches always talk about the difficulty in sustaining success because so much is required of both players and coaches. All of a sudden, expectations are ratcheted up and everybody expects more wins and championships to follow. Syracuse was picked to finish fourth in the Big East preseason media poll, a clear indication of the respect that was earned with a 8-5 campaign in 2010.
So how do the Orange keep the momentum going that they built last season?
"We really don't talk a lot about last year," Marrone said. "But I do understand the question about what we're trying to do. Our goal is to be able to compete for a Big East championship. We've talked about that with our players. We want to be a consistent football team and one year doesn’t make you consistent. We haven't produced back-to-back winning seasons since 2001 or back-to-back bowl games since 1999. We haven't won a season opener two years in a row since 2000. There's a lot of things in terms of history because recently we have not been a good football team. This is what we're trying to change."
There was a time, of course, when Syracuse was a very good football team that competed for Big East championships. Marrone has his team pointed back in that direction. The offense has solid players in Antwon Bailey, Ryan Nassib, Van Chew, Alec Lemon and the entire offensive line. The defense is new this season, with six new starters, including both cornerbacks, both defensive tackles and true freshman Dyshawn Davis at linebacker.
Because of the youth, much of camp was spent teaching.
"When nobody’s looking is when you win games," defensive coordinator Scott Shafer said. "We watch video together and talk about what’s good, bad, unacceptable, acceptable and teach the kids what we’re looking for and the next day try to make real small improvements. If we can keep chipping away, we can be a competitive defense and give our offense a chance to get some drives and do things."
The opener provides a big test Thursday night. Wake Forest may have had a losing season last year, but it was not too long ago that the Demon Deacons were playing in the Orange Bowl as ACC champs. Syracuse does not have a great record against the ACC, going 1-12 against teams from that league since 1996. The strength of Wake Forest is in the backfield, where Josh Harris led the team with 720 yards rushing last season. He averaged 5.7 yards a carry -- the third-highest average in school history.
Syracuse has four new starters among its front seven and a new middle linebacker in Marquis Spruill, who started last season on the outside. So Wake most likely will try to pound Harris to perhaps expose some weaknesses in the Syracuse front. If Syracuse can contain him, the Orange will increase its chances of starting the season with another confidence-boosting win.
"It's not just the season opener," Marrone said. "It's every single game we play until we start winning and becoming consistent, history will be against us. Everyone says you want to get off to a fast start. You do because every game is meaningful. For us, every game's a dogfight."
Friday, August 12, 2011
Buffalo Bills Trade Lee Evans To Ravens Fourth Round Draft Pick
After saying goodbye to WRs Derrick Mason, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Donte' Stallworth and TE Todd Heap this offseason, the Ravens imported more experience at the position Friday, acquiring Lee Evans from the Bills.
He offered an upfront view of his talents last October, burning the Ravens for 105 yards (on six catches) and three TDs in Baltimore.
Evans had spent his entire seven-year career in Buffalo after being a first-round pick in 2004. He has two 1,000-yard receiving seasons to his credit but comes off his least productive campaign in 2010 (37 rec., 578 yards, 4 TDs). He also missed action for the first time in the NFL, going on IR with three games to go after suffering an ankle injury.
But Evans could be just what the doctor ordered in Baltimore. He's a deep threat (career average of 15.7 yards per reception) that should provide a nice complement to bruising WR Anquan Boldin, RB Ray Rice and a young group of tight ends. QB Joe Flacco really had no one to stretch the field last year with speedy Stallworth seeing very limited action.
Evans' departure leaves Stevie Johnson as the clear-cut No. 1 wideout in Buffalo and opens up a starting spot for Marcus Easley, David Nelson, Roscoe Parrish or Brad Smith
He offered an upfront view of his talents last October, burning the Ravens for 105 yards (on six catches) and three TDs in Baltimore.
Evans had spent his entire seven-year career in Buffalo after being a first-round pick in 2004. He has two 1,000-yard receiving seasons to his credit but comes off his least productive campaign in 2010 (37 rec., 578 yards, 4 TDs). He also missed action for the first time in the NFL, going on IR with three games to go after suffering an ankle injury.
But Evans could be just what the doctor ordered in Baltimore. He's a deep threat (career average of 15.7 yards per reception) that should provide a nice complement to bruising WR Anquan Boldin, RB Ray Rice and a young group of tight ends. QB Joe Flacco really had no one to stretch the field last year with speedy Stallworth seeing very limited action.
Evans' departure leaves Stevie Johnson as the clear-cut No. 1 wideout in Buffalo and opens up a starting spot for Marcus Easley, David Nelson, Roscoe Parrish or Brad Smith
Monday, December 27, 2010
Patriots Beat The Billls Ass Again, Clinch No.1 Seed In AFC
Orchard Park, NY (Sports Network) - Although the calendar may read December 26, it's Groundhog Day for the Buffalo Bills whenever they're pitted against the New England Patriots.
Tom Brady added to his MVP resume with three touchdown passes, and the Patriots locked up not only the AFC East crown for the seventh time in the past eight seasons, but also the conference's top seed with a 34-3 victory over the Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
New England (13-2) has won 15 straight over the Bills since a 31-0 drubbing at Buffalo during the first week of the 2003 campaign.
The Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl that season and now find themselves in an enviable position in their quest to return to the big game as the conference's representative this year.
Brady finished with only 140 yards on 15-of-27 efficiency, while rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski caught a pair of eight-yard touchdown passes in the Patriots' seventh straight win since a loss in Cleveland on November 7.
New England forced seven turnovers on Sunday, five of which were committed by Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick completed 18-of-37 throws for 251 yards with three interceptions. He also fumbled twice.
Fred Jackson had 81 yards on 13 carries for the Bills (4-11).
Tom Brady added to his MVP resume with three touchdown passes, and the Patriots locked up not only the AFC East crown for the seventh time in the past eight seasons, but also the conference's top seed with a 34-3 victory over the Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
New England (13-2) has won 15 straight over the Bills since a 31-0 drubbing at Buffalo during the first week of the 2003 campaign.
The Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl that season and now find themselves in an enviable position in their quest to return to the big game as the conference's representative this year.
Brady finished with only 140 yards on 15-of-27 efficiency, while rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski caught a pair of eight-yard touchdown passes in the Patriots' seventh straight win since a loss in Cleveland on November 7.
New England forced seven turnovers on Sunday, five of which were committed by Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick completed 18-of-37 throws for 251 yards with three interceptions. He also fumbled twice.
Fred Jackson had 81 yards on 13 carries for the Bills (4-11).
Friday, December 3, 2010
Week 14 College Football Championship Saturday
Fred Bierman - This is it. The last weekend of college football. It seems as if we’re getting used to the idea of Oregon playing Auburn in Glendale, but I think that we’re forgetting that sometimes that last win is the hardest to get. Remember unranked (and sub .500) Pittsburgh shocking No. 2 West Virginia in 2007? What about No. 2 U.C.L.A. losing to Miami in 1998? No. 2 U.S.C. losing to U.C.L.A. in 2006? Those were the last games of the season and games that those teams were all favored in. Then you have the championship games, where teams have lost the chance to play for national titles in the past. Tennessee in 2001 and Kansas State in 1998 are two examples from the B.C.S. era.
So what about this weekend? Well, something is going to happen. It has to. Not that I wouldn’t love to see Oregon and Auburn play for a national title. I would. But it just feels as if e college football has one more surprise for us on championship Saturday. Just a hunch. It’s not as if I haven’t been wrong before. Anyway, let’s get to the match ups.
SEC Championship Game
4 p.m., No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 19 South Carolina, Atlanta, CBS
Announcers: Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Tracy Wolfson
For Auburn, a victory in this one means a trip to Glendale, Ariz. to play for a national title. It’s that simple. Win and they’re in.
But don’t think that there’s not a fair amount on the line for the Gamecocks as well. A victory would mean the school’s first SEC Championship and the program’s first BCS bowl. Those are big prizes for a school like South Carolina that is making its first appearance in the SEC Championship game and is playing very good football right now. (Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Ole Miss are the only SEC teams to have still not made it to the conference championship.)
These two teams met earlier this season on Sept. 25, when Auburn overcame a 13-point deficit to come away with a 35-27 victory. In fact, the Tigers have been coming from behind quite a bit this season, with eight come-from-behind victories on the year. Four of those were by double digits, including last week’s stirring comeback from a 24-point deficit to knock off Alabama in Tuscaloosa and keep their national title hopes alive. This is the sixth time that the SEC Championship has been a rematch, and four of the five previous rematches have seen the team that won the first meeting prevail in the second.
South Carolina has come a long way this season. The week after losing to Auburn on the road, the Gamecocks came home knocked off the then No. 1 Crimson Tide by two touchdowns. Quarterback Stephen Garcia got pulled from the Auburn game the week before, but played a near flawless game against Alabama to help the Gamecocks stage the upset. If Garcia can put together that kind of game this weekend, than South Carolina is going to be tough to beat. That might be asking a lot.
One of the key players in this one is going to be receiver Alshon Jefferey, who is one of the most underrated players in the nation. In the first meeting Jeffery caught eight passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns and Auburn has struggled to contain the SEC’s elite receivers all season.
As bad as Auburn has been against the pass this season, they have been very good against the run. South Carolina’s freshman running back Marcus Lattimore has had a tremendous season, but was stymied by the Tigers in their first meeting and carried the ball just three times in the second half of that one. Even if he’s not churning out yards, he will need to be more involved down the stretch for South Carolina to come away with a victory.
One of the keys to Auburn success against the run has been the play of tackle Nick Fairly, who has been one of the best defensive players in the SEC this season filling gaps against the run and sacking the quarterback a conference leading 8 times.
The fact that South Carolina has seen Cam Newton once this season would seem to be an advantage, but in fact Newton has been improving every week and is very likely even be a better football player this week than he was on that first meeting. Last week, Alabama focused on not allowing Newton to run and he responded with one of his best passing performances of the year. Newton is truly one of the most dangerous weapons in college football; he can beat you in so many ways and he seems to be getting even more adept at taking what opposing defenses give him and not forcing things. In my mind Newton is a lock for the Heisman Trophy and another good performance here would just further his position as the best player in college football.
This one is quite simply a must watch. It’s the last Saturday of college football. It’s the SEC Championship game at 4 p.m. Enjoy it. It’s going to be a long winter.
A.C.C. Championship Game
7:45 p.m., No. 21 Florida State vs. No. 15 Virginia Tech, Charlotte, ESPN
Announcers; Sean McDonough, Matt Millen and Quint Kessenich
With N.C. State losing to Maryland last week, Florida State backed into the championship game, giving the A.C.C. the marquee match up that it was hoping for a the beginning of the season. Although Florida State didn’t play a conference game last week, they dispatched in-state rival Florida with surprising ease. Victories over Florida and Miami this season ought to help the Seminoles on the recruiting trail and could help Florida State return to it’s glory days of the late 1980’s and 90’s. (From 1987-2000 the Seminoles finished in the top five every year. Think about that for a second.)
What hurt Florida State this season was back to back losses to North Carolina State and North Carolina as well as an absolute thumping at the hands of Oklahoma. Still, in Jimbo Fisher’s first season as head coach, the Seminoles are in the conference title game and seem to be headed in the right direction.
On the other side is a red hot Virginia Tech team that has won nine in a row after starting the season 0-2. They opened with a loss to Boise State in a very close game and followed that up with an inexplicable loss to James Madison at home. They regrouped (a lot of credit has to go to Frank Beamer and his staff) and are the first team since Florida State in 2000 to go through A.C.C. conference play without a loss. In fact, it was that 2000 Florida State team that defeated Virginia Tech (then in the Big East) for the national title.
This week’s game figures to be a close one, with both teams boasting experience at quarterback, solid running games and two of the conference’s stingiest defenses. Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder is a pocket passer, while Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor is more of a dual threat quarterback. One of the keys to the game will be how Ponder plays against a ball hawking secondary that leads the conference in interceptions (Jayron Hosley leads the nation with 8 picks on the year).
Big 12 Championship Game
8 p.m., No. 9 Oklahoma vs. No. 13 Nebraska, Arlington, Tex., ABC
Announcers; Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe
The Cornhuskers have not won the Big 12 since 1999, but in their last season in the conference before moving to the Big Ten, here they are with a chance to end that streak. Conspiracy theorists in Lincoln seem to think that Big 12 officials have been out to get them (particularly against Texas A&M) and note that no one was on hand to present the Cornhuskers with the Big 12 North trophy last week when they beat Colorado to clinch a spot in this game. Not sure I buy that, but I love a good conspiracy theory.
Oklahoma, on the other hand, is no stranger to this game. This is the Sooners’ seventh trip here in nine seasons, but this year it was a little more complicated to get here than it was in past seasons. After beating Oklahoma State in a classic last week, the Sooners were part of a three-way tie atop the South Division with Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. Thanks to B.C.S. rankings, the Sooners find themselves once again in the Big 12 Championship game, which they have won four times since 2004.
This is just a classic football matchup. Two programs that immediately come to mind when you think college football. But you better appreciate it now. This is the lat scheduled meeting between these two for some time. With Nebraska in the Big Ten, who knows when these two are going to meet again?
Two questions on the field coming into this one are which Landry Jones will come to play and whether Taylor Martinez will play at all. Last week Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones threw three interceptions in the first half against Oklahoma State, but rebounded in a big way in the second half. Martinez, meanwhile, sat out Nebraska’s victory over Colorado with an ankle injury and Cody Green played instead.
3:30 p.m., No. 2 Oregon at Oregon State, ABC
Announcers: Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge and Erin Andrews
This may not be the Pac-10 Championship game that it was last year, but arguably there is more on the line this time around. The Ducks went to the Rose Bowl last year, but this year their sights are set a little higher. Glendale, not Pasadena, would be the destination of choice for Oregon.
Consider what Oregon Coach Chip Kelly has done in only his second season as head coach at any level. He went from being an assistant at New Hampshire in 2006 to running the No. 1 offense in college football and being a win from playing for the national championship in 2010. According to USA Today, he stands to make a $4.3 million bonus for making that national championship. All this in a season where he threw his starting quarterback off the team in March.
How good is Oregon’s offense? The Ducks lead the nation with an average of 541.7 yards per game, prompting some teams to fake injuries in an effort to slow Oregon. That was what California did when they held the Ducks to 16 points in the closest to a slip up that Oregon has had this season. To slow down the Oregon offense California defenders would fall to the turf to feign injury in order to slow the pace. The Ducks’ offense is so fast-paced that there often isn’t even time for a television replay between their plays. They have the nation’s leading rusher in LaMichael James and a dual threat quarterback who has largely stayed away from turning the ball over throwing 26 touchdowns to only 7 interceptions.
Oregon State has been struggling of late, losing three of it’s last four and four of its last six. They have lost to some good teams in there (U.S.C. and Stanford), but have also lost to suspect ones (Washington State). A lot would have to go right for them to keep this one close. Namely running back Jacquizz Rodgers (who got some preseason Heisman attention) would have to have an absolutely bananas day. Still, this one is in Corvallis and as we should all know by now, anything can happen in college football. I could see flipping back to this one during the SEC Championship game to keep an eye on it.
8 p.m., Connecticut at South Florida, ESPN2
Announcers: Mark Jones, Bob Davie and Quint Kessenich
With a victory here a four-loss Husky team will clinch the Big East title and a B.C.S. Bowl ahead of a number of worthy one-loss teams. That’s just they way it works. Hey, a 7-9 N.F.C. West team is probably going to make the playoffs in the N.F.L. There have been years where sub-.500 teams from the N.B.A.’s Eastern Conference have made the playoffs instead of more worthy Western Conference teams. This is not a problem that’s unique to college football, but still, Connecticut in a B.C.S. game is going to rub a lot of people the wrong way.
That being said, the Connecticut football team is a great story. In his 12th season at the helm of a program that he took from I-AA to division I, Randy Edsall has his team on the cusp of a Big East title and a B.C.S. Bowl. Sure this is a team that lost by 20 at Michigan and was shut out by 26-0 at Louisville and also lost at Temple and at Rutgers. Those are not good losses. But they did beat West Virginia in overtime, edge Pittsburgh by two points and beat defending Big East champs Cincinnati last week to get to where they are now.
Standing in the Huskies’ way is a South Florida team coached by the former Connecticut coach Skip Holtz that is coming off a huge overtime victory over Miami. That win is a big one for this South Florida team (particularly in recruiting) and they will look to carry that momentum into this game. Starting quarterback B.J. Daniels is banged up, but his replacement Bobby Eveld led them to a win last week in the second half and overtime against Miami.
For Connecticut, keep an eye on Jordan Todman, who leads the conference and is second in the nation with an average of 148.1 yards per game. He is the latest in a line of successful Connecticut running backs.
So who wins the Big East if Connecticut loses? Well, West Virginia hosts Rutgers earlier in the day and a win by the Mountaineers and a loss by the Huskies would send West Virginia to a B.C.S. bowl game.
So what about this weekend? Well, something is going to happen. It has to. Not that I wouldn’t love to see Oregon and Auburn play for a national title. I would. But it just feels as if e college football has one more surprise for us on championship Saturday. Just a hunch. It’s not as if I haven’t been wrong before. Anyway, let’s get to the match ups.
SEC Championship Game
4 p.m., No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 19 South Carolina, Atlanta, CBS
Announcers: Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Tracy Wolfson
For Auburn, a victory in this one means a trip to Glendale, Ariz. to play for a national title. It’s that simple. Win and they’re in.
But don’t think that there’s not a fair amount on the line for the Gamecocks as well. A victory would mean the school’s first SEC Championship and the program’s first BCS bowl. Those are big prizes for a school like South Carolina that is making its first appearance in the SEC Championship game and is playing very good football right now. (Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Ole Miss are the only SEC teams to have still not made it to the conference championship.)
These two teams met earlier this season on Sept. 25, when Auburn overcame a 13-point deficit to come away with a 35-27 victory. In fact, the Tigers have been coming from behind quite a bit this season, with eight come-from-behind victories on the year. Four of those were by double digits, including last week’s stirring comeback from a 24-point deficit to knock off Alabama in Tuscaloosa and keep their national title hopes alive. This is the sixth time that the SEC Championship has been a rematch, and four of the five previous rematches have seen the team that won the first meeting prevail in the second.
South Carolina has come a long way this season. The week after losing to Auburn on the road, the Gamecocks came home knocked off the then No. 1 Crimson Tide by two touchdowns. Quarterback Stephen Garcia got pulled from the Auburn game the week before, but played a near flawless game against Alabama to help the Gamecocks stage the upset. If Garcia can put together that kind of game this weekend, than South Carolina is going to be tough to beat. That might be asking a lot.
One of the key players in this one is going to be receiver Alshon Jefferey, who is one of the most underrated players in the nation. In the first meeting Jeffery caught eight passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns and Auburn has struggled to contain the SEC’s elite receivers all season.
As bad as Auburn has been against the pass this season, they have been very good against the run. South Carolina’s freshman running back Marcus Lattimore has had a tremendous season, but was stymied by the Tigers in their first meeting and carried the ball just three times in the second half of that one. Even if he’s not churning out yards, he will need to be more involved down the stretch for South Carolina to come away with a victory.
One of the keys to Auburn success against the run has been the play of tackle Nick Fairly, who has been one of the best defensive players in the SEC this season filling gaps against the run and sacking the quarterback a conference leading 8 times.
The fact that South Carolina has seen Cam Newton once this season would seem to be an advantage, but in fact Newton has been improving every week and is very likely even be a better football player this week than he was on that first meeting. Last week, Alabama focused on not allowing Newton to run and he responded with one of his best passing performances of the year. Newton is truly one of the most dangerous weapons in college football; he can beat you in so many ways and he seems to be getting even more adept at taking what opposing defenses give him and not forcing things. In my mind Newton is a lock for the Heisman Trophy and another good performance here would just further his position as the best player in college football.
This one is quite simply a must watch. It’s the last Saturday of college football. It’s the SEC Championship game at 4 p.m. Enjoy it. It’s going to be a long winter.
A.C.C. Championship Game
7:45 p.m., No. 21 Florida State vs. No. 15 Virginia Tech, Charlotte, ESPN
Announcers; Sean McDonough, Matt Millen and Quint Kessenich
With N.C. State losing to Maryland last week, Florida State backed into the championship game, giving the A.C.C. the marquee match up that it was hoping for a the beginning of the season. Although Florida State didn’t play a conference game last week, they dispatched in-state rival Florida with surprising ease. Victories over Florida and Miami this season ought to help the Seminoles on the recruiting trail and could help Florida State return to it’s glory days of the late 1980’s and 90’s. (From 1987-2000 the Seminoles finished in the top five every year. Think about that for a second.)
What hurt Florida State this season was back to back losses to North Carolina State and North Carolina as well as an absolute thumping at the hands of Oklahoma. Still, in Jimbo Fisher’s first season as head coach, the Seminoles are in the conference title game and seem to be headed in the right direction.
On the other side is a red hot Virginia Tech team that has won nine in a row after starting the season 0-2. They opened with a loss to Boise State in a very close game and followed that up with an inexplicable loss to James Madison at home. They regrouped (a lot of credit has to go to Frank Beamer and his staff) and are the first team since Florida State in 2000 to go through A.C.C. conference play without a loss. In fact, it was that 2000 Florida State team that defeated Virginia Tech (then in the Big East) for the national title.
This week’s game figures to be a close one, with both teams boasting experience at quarterback, solid running games and two of the conference’s stingiest defenses. Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder is a pocket passer, while Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor is more of a dual threat quarterback. One of the keys to the game will be how Ponder plays against a ball hawking secondary that leads the conference in interceptions (Jayron Hosley leads the nation with 8 picks on the year).
Big 12 Championship Game
8 p.m., No. 9 Oklahoma vs. No. 13 Nebraska, Arlington, Tex., ABC
Announcers; Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe
The Cornhuskers have not won the Big 12 since 1999, but in their last season in the conference before moving to the Big Ten, here they are with a chance to end that streak. Conspiracy theorists in Lincoln seem to think that Big 12 officials have been out to get them (particularly against Texas A&M) and note that no one was on hand to present the Cornhuskers with the Big 12 North trophy last week when they beat Colorado to clinch a spot in this game. Not sure I buy that, but I love a good conspiracy theory.
Oklahoma, on the other hand, is no stranger to this game. This is the Sooners’ seventh trip here in nine seasons, but this year it was a little more complicated to get here than it was in past seasons. After beating Oklahoma State in a classic last week, the Sooners were part of a three-way tie atop the South Division with Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. Thanks to B.C.S. rankings, the Sooners find themselves once again in the Big 12 Championship game, which they have won four times since 2004.
This is just a classic football matchup. Two programs that immediately come to mind when you think college football. But you better appreciate it now. This is the lat scheduled meeting between these two for some time. With Nebraska in the Big Ten, who knows when these two are going to meet again?
Two questions on the field coming into this one are which Landry Jones will come to play and whether Taylor Martinez will play at all. Last week Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones threw three interceptions in the first half against Oklahoma State, but rebounded in a big way in the second half. Martinez, meanwhile, sat out Nebraska’s victory over Colorado with an ankle injury and Cody Green played instead.
3:30 p.m., No. 2 Oregon at Oregon State, ABC
Announcers: Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge and Erin Andrews
This may not be the Pac-10 Championship game that it was last year, but arguably there is more on the line this time around. The Ducks went to the Rose Bowl last year, but this year their sights are set a little higher. Glendale, not Pasadena, would be the destination of choice for Oregon.
Consider what Oregon Coach Chip Kelly has done in only his second season as head coach at any level. He went from being an assistant at New Hampshire in 2006 to running the No. 1 offense in college football and being a win from playing for the national championship in 2010. According to USA Today, he stands to make a $4.3 million bonus for making that national championship. All this in a season where he threw his starting quarterback off the team in March.
How good is Oregon’s offense? The Ducks lead the nation with an average of 541.7 yards per game, prompting some teams to fake injuries in an effort to slow Oregon. That was what California did when they held the Ducks to 16 points in the closest to a slip up that Oregon has had this season. To slow down the Oregon offense California defenders would fall to the turf to feign injury in order to slow the pace. The Ducks’ offense is so fast-paced that there often isn’t even time for a television replay between their plays. They have the nation’s leading rusher in LaMichael James and a dual threat quarterback who has largely stayed away from turning the ball over throwing 26 touchdowns to only 7 interceptions.
Oregon State has been struggling of late, losing three of it’s last four and four of its last six. They have lost to some good teams in there (U.S.C. and Stanford), but have also lost to suspect ones (Washington State). A lot would have to go right for them to keep this one close. Namely running back Jacquizz Rodgers (who got some preseason Heisman attention) would have to have an absolutely bananas day. Still, this one is in Corvallis and as we should all know by now, anything can happen in college football. I could see flipping back to this one during the SEC Championship game to keep an eye on it.
8 p.m., Connecticut at South Florida, ESPN2
Announcers: Mark Jones, Bob Davie and Quint Kessenich
With a victory here a four-loss Husky team will clinch the Big East title and a B.C.S. Bowl ahead of a number of worthy one-loss teams. That’s just they way it works. Hey, a 7-9 N.F.C. West team is probably going to make the playoffs in the N.F.L. There have been years where sub-.500 teams from the N.B.A.’s Eastern Conference have made the playoffs instead of more worthy Western Conference teams. This is not a problem that’s unique to college football, but still, Connecticut in a B.C.S. game is going to rub a lot of people the wrong way.
That being said, the Connecticut football team is a great story. In his 12th season at the helm of a program that he took from I-AA to division I, Randy Edsall has his team on the cusp of a Big East title and a B.C.S. Bowl. Sure this is a team that lost by 20 at Michigan and was shut out by 26-0 at Louisville and also lost at Temple and at Rutgers. Those are not good losses. But they did beat West Virginia in overtime, edge Pittsburgh by two points and beat defending Big East champs Cincinnati last week to get to where they are now.
Standing in the Huskies’ way is a South Florida team coached by the former Connecticut coach Skip Holtz that is coming off a huge overtime victory over Miami. That win is a big one for this South Florida team (particularly in recruiting) and they will look to carry that momentum into this game. Starting quarterback B.J. Daniels is banged up, but his replacement Bobby Eveld led them to a win last week in the second half and overtime against Miami.
For Connecticut, keep an eye on Jordan Todman, who leads the conference and is second in the nation with an average of 148.1 yards per game. He is the latest in a line of successful Connecticut running backs.
So who wins the Big East if Connecticut loses? Well, West Virginia hosts Rutgers earlier in the day and a win by the Mountaineers and a loss by the Huskies would send West Virginia to a B.C.S. bowl game.
Buffalo Bills LB Reggie Tobor Placed On IR
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills starting linebacker Reggie Torbor is done for the season after being placed on injured reserve Friday because of a shoulder injury that will require surgery.
Torbor finished with 41 tackles after signing with the Bills as a free agent. He was hurt in Sunday's overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Bills claimed tight end Scott Chandler after he was waived by the Dallas Cowboys to take Torbor's roster spot.
Starting right guard Eric Wood (ankle), cornerback Terrence McGee (nerve behind knee) and tight end Shawn Nelson (migraine) all will not play Sunday when the Bills (2-9) play at the Minnesota Vikings (4-7).
Torbor finished with 41 tackles after signing with the Bills as a free agent. He was hurt in Sunday's overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Bills claimed tight end Scott Chandler after he was waived by the Dallas Cowboys to take Torbor's roster spot.
Starting right guard Eric Wood (ankle), cornerback Terrence McGee (nerve behind knee) and tight end Shawn Nelson (migraine) all will not play Sunday when the Bills (2-9) play at the Minnesota Vikings (4-7).
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Dropped Pass Not God's Fault, Bills Receiver Steve Johnson Hands
Buffalo Bills receiver Steve Johnson’s T-shirt said it all.
Walking to the microphone before practice Wednesday, Johnson sported a shirt with the words “It’s all good” emblazoned across the chest.
“Yeah I’ve been able to put it behind me,” Johnson said. “I haven’t forgotten about it, but I’m ready to move on from it.”
The “it” Johnson was referring to was his costly end-zone drop in overtime Sunday that prevented the Bills from upsetting the Pittsburgh Steelers. “It” also refers to the public storm that engulfed him after the game when he posted a message on his Twitter account, wondering how God could do this to him.
An upbeat Johnson talked candidly Wednesday about the drop and his controversial tweet.
“God is everything,” he said. “I feel like he’s the Creator, and he’s 100 per cent good. I simply just asked ‘Why?’ I was not blaming him or any of that. Why would I? But it happened, and the way people took it, is the way they took it. They can say what they want, it’s fine with me. I’m still going to keep doing what I have to do to keep being a good receiver.”
Johnson’s been much more than a good receiver for the Bills. He’s emerged as quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s go-to guy, and he leads the team with 59 receptions, 796 yards and nine touchdowns.
But it’s the would-be 10th touchdown falling out of his grasp that’s taught Johnson that sometimes he isn’t in the driver’s seat with what transpires on the field.
“When plays are called, I just felt like I was in control,” he said. “But when it came down to (making the play), I didn’t. So I’m not in control of that.”
Though the drop has been on countless highlight shows over the last couple of days, Johnson said he hasn’t seen it on television.
“I didn’t try to avoid it,” he said. “I was in the play, so I know exactly what happened.”
Johnson said he’s been getting a tremendous amount of support from his teammates, friends, family, and even Buffalo’s all-time leading receiver, Andre Reed, who called him on Tuesday.
“He just said it happens to the best of us,” Johnson said.
Fitzpatrick once again rallied around Johnson and said he’s confident the 2008 seventh-round draft pick will show no ill-effects Sunday when Buffalo (2-9) plays at the Minnesota Vikings (4-7).
“In the NFL, you can’t get too high and you can’t get too low,” Fitzpatrick said. “I think the message that everybody has tried to give to him and the message in general to the team is move on, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
This is the second instance where controversy swirled around a tweet made by a Bill. Rookie running back C.J. Spiller apologized for using a derogatory term toward gays that he posted on his Twitter account last month.
Johnson said he didn’t regret posting his tweet, but he understands that public figures have become more public with social networking.
“We’re an internet generation now, and maybe I shouldn’t have done it,” he said. “It’ll take a while for me to get back into it, but I’ll still be the same person.”
The Bills hope he’s the same receiver that’s been posting big numbers on the field.
Walking to the microphone before practice Wednesday, Johnson sported a shirt with the words “It’s all good” emblazoned across the chest.
“Yeah I’ve been able to put it behind me,” Johnson said. “I haven’t forgotten about it, but I’m ready to move on from it.”
The “it” Johnson was referring to was his costly end-zone drop in overtime Sunday that prevented the Bills from upsetting the Pittsburgh Steelers. “It” also refers to the public storm that engulfed him after the game when he posted a message on his Twitter account, wondering how God could do this to him.
An upbeat Johnson talked candidly Wednesday about the drop and his controversial tweet.
“God is everything,” he said. “I feel like he’s the Creator, and he’s 100 per cent good. I simply just asked ‘Why?’ I was not blaming him or any of that. Why would I? But it happened, and the way people took it, is the way they took it. They can say what they want, it’s fine with me. I’m still going to keep doing what I have to do to keep being a good receiver.”
Johnson’s been much more than a good receiver for the Bills. He’s emerged as quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s go-to guy, and he leads the team with 59 receptions, 796 yards and nine touchdowns.
But it’s the would-be 10th touchdown falling out of his grasp that’s taught Johnson that sometimes he isn’t in the driver’s seat with what transpires on the field.
“When plays are called, I just felt like I was in control,” he said. “But when it came down to (making the play), I didn’t. So I’m not in control of that.”
Though the drop has been on countless highlight shows over the last couple of days, Johnson said he hasn’t seen it on television.
“I didn’t try to avoid it,” he said. “I was in the play, so I know exactly what happened.”
Johnson said he’s been getting a tremendous amount of support from his teammates, friends, family, and even Buffalo’s all-time leading receiver, Andre Reed, who called him on Tuesday.
“He just said it happens to the best of us,” Johnson said.
Fitzpatrick once again rallied around Johnson and said he’s confident the 2008 seventh-round draft pick will show no ill-effects Sunday when Buffalo (2-9) plays at the Minnesota Vikings (4-7).
“In the NFL, you can’t get too high and you can’t get too low,” Fitzpatrick said. “I think the message that everybody has tried to give to him and the message in general to the team is move on, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
This is the second instance where controversy swirled around a tweet made by a Bill. Rookie running back C.J. Spiller apologized for using a derogatory term toward gays that he posted on his Twitter account last month.
Johnson said he didn’t regret posting his tweet, but he understands that public figures have become more public with social networking.
“We’re an internet generation now, and maybe I shouldn’t have done it,” he said. “It’ll take a while for me to get back into it, but I’ll still be the same person.”
The Bills hope he’s the same receiver that’s been posting big numbers on the field.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Buffalo Bills vs. Minnestoa Vikings Preview Dec 5, 2010
The Buffalo Bills will travel to Minnesota to take on Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings on December 5th. The Buffalo Bills are coming off a gutting
loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers who squeaked out a win over the pesky Buffalo Bills in Buffalo. The Minnesota Vikings scored just enough to take down a tough home team in the Washington Redskins to bring their win total to four wins and seven losses heading into this important home game.
Minnesota Vikings Offense vs Buffalo Bills Defense
Brett Favre and his Minnesota Vikings offense did not flourish against a weak Washington Redskins defense. Now they come up against a Buffalo Bills team that has won two of their last three and they took one of the best defensive teams in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers to a late overtime loss.
The Minnesota Vikings offense looks to be reinventing itself after the departure of Brad Childress but Brett Favre did look more comfortable to improvise during the game against the Washington Redskins. An injury to Adrian Peterson may be an issue later in the week and the number on this game could be affected. Sidney Rice has returned to the fold but he has not earned Brett Favre's trust yet as Visanthe Schiancoe was the go to receiver when the game was on the line.
The Buffalo Bills pass defense continues to be their strong suit. They are limiting the opposing offenses to just under 210 yards per game but they are also giving up 163 yards on the ground. If Adrian Peterson is healthy for this game it could be his biggest game of the year. The Minnesota Vikings offense has the edge over the Buffalo Bills defense.
Minnesota Vikings Defense vs Buffalo Bills Offense
Jared Allen and the Minnesota Vikings defense have been playing below their high level of intensity in the 2009 NFL season. They are still holding opposing quarterbacks below 220 yards passing per game but they are prone to giving up the big play every game. Mental lapses have done them in several games this year. Run defense for the Minnesota Vikings is still holding opposing rushers under 100 yards per game but they are not intimidating the opposition as they did last season. The defensive line is still one of the
best aspects of the Minnesota defense and they should be able to control the Buffalo Bills run game.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing at a level that could make him a top 10 NFL quarterback. Fitzpatrick has created an an attitude with the offense that gives them a confidence that they can score at will as they did against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers was won until Buffalo Bills wide out Steve Johnson dropped the touchdown ball that would have won the game. Fitzpatrick is the wild card in this game and he could be the man do officially finish Brett Favre's career. The Buffalo Bills offense has a slight edge over the Minnesota Vikings defense.
The Las Vegas Hilton Superbook has made the Minnesota Vikings a six point home team favorite over the Buffalo Bills in a must win game for Minnesota. This game will be down to the wire but in the end it will come down to luck. It is never a good practice to bet on a game that will come down to the last second so when making a play on this only include it on office pools. Take the Minnesota Vikings -6 over the Buffalo Bills. Vikings 34 - Bills 20
loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers who squeaked out a win over the pesky Buffalo Bills in Buffalo. The Minnesota Vikings scored just enough to take down a tough home team in the Washington Redskins to bring their win total to four wins and seven losses heading into this important home game.
Minnesota Vikings Offense vs Buffalo Bills Defense
Brett Favre and his Minnesota Vikings offense did not flourish against a weak Washington Redskins defense. Now they come up against a Buffalo Bills team that has won two of their last three and they took one of the best defensive teams in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers to a late overtime loss.
The Minnesota Vikings offense looks to be reinventing itself after the departure of Brad Childress but Brett Favre did look more comfortable to improvise during the game against the Washington Redskins. An injury to Adrian Peterson may be an issue later in the week and the number on this game could be affected. Sidney Rice has returned to the fold but he has not earned Brett Favre's trust yet as Visanthe Schiancoe was the go to receiver when the game was on the line.
The Buffalo Bills pass defense continues to be their strong suit. They are limiting the opposing offenses to just under 210 yards per game but they are also giving up 163 yards on the ground. If Adrian Peterson is healthy for this game it could be his biggest game of the year. The Minnesota Vikings offense has the edge over the Buffalo Bills defense.
Minnesota Vikings Defense vs Buffalo Bills Offense
Jared Allen and the Minnesota Vikings defense have been playing below their high level of intensity in the 2009 NFL season. They are still holding opposing quarterbacks below 220 yards passing per game but they are prone to giving up the big play every game. Mental lapses have done them in several games this year. Run defense for the Minnesota Vikings is still holding opposing rushers under 100 yards per game but they are not intimidating the opposition as they did last season. The defensive line is still one of the
best aspects of the Minnesota defense and they should be able to control the Buffalo Bills run game.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing at a level that could make him a top 10 NFL quarterback. Fitzpatrick has created an an attitude with the offense that gives them a confidence that they can score at will as they did against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers was won until Buffalo Bills wide out Steve Johnson dropped the touchdown ball that would have won the game. Fitzpatrick is the wild card in this game and he could be the man do officially finish Brett Favre's career. The Buffalo Bills offense has a slight edge over the Minnesota Vikings defense.
The Las Vegas Hilton Superbook has made the Minnesota Vikings a six point home team favorite over the Buffalo Bills in a must win game for Minnesota. This game will be down to the wire but in the end it will come down to luck. It is never a good practice to bet on a game that will come down to the last second so when making a play on this only include it on office pools. Take the Minnesota Vikings -6 over the Buffalo Bills. Vikings 34 - Bills 20
Monday, November 8, 2010
Buffalo Bills Lose Chicago Bears 22-19; The March to 0-16 Continues
TORONTO (Reuters) - Unable to find a victory in the United States, the Buffalo Bills fared no better across the border in Canada as they fell 22-19 to the Chicago Bears on Sunday to remain the NFL's only winless team.
Jay Cutler tossed a pair of touchdown passes and Chester Taylor ran for another as the Bears pulled out of a two-game losing skid to improve to 5-3 while the Bills sank to 0-8.
Making the annual visit to their northern neighbors, the Bills have found no more success in downtown Toronto than they have at Orchard Park, losing all three regular-season games played at the Rogers Center the last three years.
It was also the third consecutive heartbreaker for the Bills who have lost their last three games by three points including two in overtime.
"This one really hurts, I don't know what to say," quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick told reporters. "We did some good things out there again but came up short.
"They keep hurting more and more but the guys keep fighting. I know we're 0-8 now but all it takes is one win. We need one win to get over the hump and things will start going our way."
The Bills enjoyed little in the way of home-field advantage with just as many fans in the crowd of 50,746 wearing Bears jerseys.
"It seemed close to 50/50 but that's our responsibility, we have to be a better football team so that these people become Bills fans not just people that want to see NFL football," said coach Chan Gailey.
Chicago opened the scoring with a grinding eight-minute, 81-yard scoring drive that bridged the opening two quarters, Cutler finding Greg Olsen in the back of the end zone for a five-yard touchdown.
Buffalo answered with 13 seconds left in the half, Roscoe Parrish latching on to a 14-yard laser throw from Fitzpatrick to send the teams into the intermission deadlocked at 7-7.
The Bears stormed out after the break, Cutler engineering another long scoring drive capped by a one-yard touchdown plunge by Taylor only to watch the battling Bills hit back immediately with Fred Jackson rumbling over from four yards.
The Bills kept up the pressure in the fourth quarter, converting a Cutler fumble near mid-field into a one-yard Corey McIntyre touchdown plunge and a 19-14 lead.
However, Bears cornerback Tim Jennings jumped in front of a Fitzpatrick pass and returned it deep into Bills territory to set up Chicago's winning score, a two-yard touchdown strike from Cutler to Earl Bennett.
"I don't have any new words to tell you guys, it feels like someone has kicked us in the stomach," said Gailey. "It hurts.
"I truly believe this team will get there and I don't just mean win a game, I think we have a chance to be a decent football team."
Jay Cutler tossed a pair of touchdown passes and Chester Taylor ran for another as the Bears pulled out of a two-game losing skid to improve to 5-3 while the Bills sank to 0-8.
Making the annual visit to their northern neighbors, the Bills have found no more success in downtown Toronto than they have at Orchard Park, losing all three regular-season games played at the Rogers Center the last three years.
It was also the third consecutive heartbreaker for the Bills who have lost their last three games by three points including two in overtime.
"This one really hurts, I don't know what to say," quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick told reporters. "We did some good things out there again but came up short.
"They keep hurting more and more but the guys keep fighting. I know we're 0-8 now but all it takes is one win. We need one win to get over the hump and things will start going our way."
The Bills enjoyed little in the way of home-field advantage with just as many fans in the crowd of 50,746 wearing Bears jerseys.
"It seemed close to 50/50 but that's our responsibility, we have to be a better football team so that these people become Bills fans not just people that want to see NFL football," said coach Chan Gailey.
Chicago opened the scoring with a grinding eight-minute, 81-yard scoring drive that bridged the opening two quarters, Cutler finding Greg Olsen in the back of the end zone for a five-yard touchdown.
Buffalo answered with 13 seconds left in the half, Roscoe Parrish latching on to a 14-yard laser throw from Fitzpatrick to send the teams into the intermission deadlocked at 7-7.
The Bears stormed out after the break, Cutler engineering another long scoring drive capped by a one-yard touchdown plunge by Taylor only to watch the battling Bills hit back immediately with Fred Jackson rumbling over from four yards.
The Bills kept up the pressure in the fourth quarter, converting a Cutler fumble near mid-field into a one-yard Corey McIntyre touchdown plunge and a 19-14 lead.
However, Bears cornerback Tim Jennings jumped in front of a Fitzpatrick pass and returned it deep into Bills territory to set up Chicago's winning score, a two-yard touchdown strike from Cutler to Earl Bennett.
"I don't have any new words to tell you guys, it feels like someone has kicked us in the stomach," said Gailey. "It hurts.
"I truly believe this team will get there and I don't just mean win a game, I think we have a chance to be a decent football team."
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens Week 7 Predictions And Betting Odds
NFL Week 7 Predictions on the Buffalo Bills vs Baltimore Ravens Betting Odds: The Baltimore Ravens host the Buffalo Bills, Sunday Oct 24, as the Bills look for their first win of their season. These two haven’t met since the 2007 season. NFL oddsmakers have the Ravens as -13 point home favorites over the Bills while the game's total has been posted at 43 points.
The Bills (0-5) sat out on a BYE Week after they lost 26-36 to Jacksonville, at home. Against the Jags, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick made 20 of 30 passes for 220 yards with three TD’s. RB Fred Jackson had 12 carries for 73 yards, while WR Lee Evans and Steve Johnson each added a TD. The Bills put up 220 pass yards, so they are capable of airing out the ball. Buffalo allows a league-worst 182ypg, so expect Ray Rice to have a tremendous game. After struggling early in the season, Rice has shown signs of improvement as he's rushed for 221 yards in his last two games. Nobody gets lower than the Rutgers product, and 100-150 yards against the weak Bills defense seems more probable than possible. The Bills 2010 team leaders include; QB Ryan Fitzpatrick completing 52 passes on 85 attempts for 595 yards and seven touchdowns, Marshawn Lynch leads in rushing with 37 carries for 164 yards and Roscoe Parrish leads in receiving with 14 receptions for 217 yards and one touchdown. The Bills are ranked 30th overall on offense (251ypg) with a 31st ranked pass game (144ypg) and an 16th ranked ground game (106ypg). They have a 29th ranked defense (382ypg), with a 10th ranked pass rush (200ypg) and the league’s worst ranked rush defense (182ypg). The Bills defense allows the most amount of points per-game (32.2).
The Ravens (4-2) lost in New England 20-23 (OT) and sit second in the AFC North. QB Joe Flacco completed 27 of 35 passes for 285 yards with two TD’s. RB Ray Rice had 28 carries for 88 yards, while Anquan Boldin and Todd Heap each added a TD. The Ravens may have blown a 20-10 lead over the Patriots, but that shouldn't take anything away from this talented Baltimore team. The Ravens showed that their defense is still amongst the league's elite as New England had to fight for every yard. The Ravens ultra tough defense managed three sacks but pulled down two interceptions. The Ravens 2010 team leaders include; QB Joe Flacco completing 97 passes on 170 attempts for 1116 yards and five touchdowns, Race Rice leads in rushing with 87 carries for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Anquan Boldin leads in receiving with 28 receptions for 363 yards and three touchdowns. The Ravens are ranked 16th overall on offense (336ypg) with a 16th ranked pass game (224ypg) and a 15th ranked running game (111ypg). They have the third best ranked defense overall (280pg), with the third best ranked pass rush (175ypg) and a 13th rank rush defense (105ypg). The Ravens defense allows the second least amount of points per-game (15).
Recent Trends to Consider:
Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Home team is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
Bills are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. loss.
Bills are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Bills are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog.
Ravens are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite of 10.5 or greater.
Ravens are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Ravens are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Ravens are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite of 10.5 or greater.
Buffalo Bills vs Baltimore Ravens
When: Sun, Oct 24, 1:00 PM E
Pick: Ravens -13
Point-Spreads.com NFL Week 7 Predictions on the Buffalo Bills vs Baltimore Ravens Betting Odds
The Bottom Line: The Bills are the worst. Be sure to get your NFL Week 7 Predictions on the Buffalo Bills vs Baltimore Ravens. Ravens 41-Bills 3
The Bills (0-5) sat out on a BYE Week after they lost 26-36 to Jacksonville, at home. Against the Jags, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick made 20 of 30 passes for 220 yards with three TD’s. RB Fred Jackson had 12 carries for 73 yards, while WR Lee Evans and Steve Johnson each added a TD. The Bills put up 220 pass yards, so they are capable of airing out the ball. Buffalo allows a league-worst 182ypg, so expect Ray Rice to have a tremendous game. After struggling early in the season, Rice has shown signs of improvement as he's rushed for 221 yards in his last two games. Nobody gets lower than the Rutgers product, and 100-150 yards against the weak Bills defense seems more probable than possible. The Bills 2010 team leaders include; QB Ryan Fitzpatrick completing 52 passes on 85 attempts for 595 yards and seven touchdowns, Marshawn Lynch leads in rushing with 37 carries for 164 yards and Roscoe Parrish leads in receiving with 14 receptions for 217 yards and one touchdown. The Bills are ranked 30th overall on offense (251ypg) with a 31st ranked pass game (144ypg) and an 16th ranked ground game (106ypg). They have a 29th ranked defense (382ypg), with a 10th ranked pass rush (200ypg) and the league’s worst ranked rush defense (182ypg). The Bills defense allows the most amount of points per-game (32.2).
The Ravens (4-2) lost in New England 20-23 (OT) and sit second in the AFC North. QB Joe Flacco completed 27 of 35 passes for 285 yards with two TD’s. RB Ray Rice had 28 carries for 88 yards, while Anquan Boldin and Todd Heap each added a TD. The Ravens may have blown a 20-10 lead over the Patriots, but that shouldn't take anything away from this talented Baltimore team. The Ravens showed that their defense is still amongst the league's elite as New England had to fight for every yard. The Ravens ultra tough defense managed three sacks but pulled down two interceptions. The Ravens 2010 team leaders include; QB Joe Flacco completing 97 passes on 170 attempts for 1116 yards and five touchdowns, Race Rice leads in rushing with 87 carries for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Anquan Boldin leads in receiving with 28 receptions for 363 yards and three touchdowns. The Ravens are ranked 16th overall on offense (336ypg) with a 16th ranked pass game (224ypg) and a 15th ranked running game (111ypg). They have the third best ranked defense overall (280pg), with the third best ranked pass rush (175ypg) and a 13th rank rush defense (105ypg). The Ravens defense allows the second least amount of points per-game (15).
Recent Trends to Consider:
Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Home team is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
Bills are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. loss.
Bills are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Bills are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog.
Ravens are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite of 10.5 or greater.
Ravens are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Ravens are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Ravens are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite of 10.5 or greater.
Buffalo Bills vs Baltimore Ravens
When: Sun, Oct 24, 1:00 PM E
Pick: Ravens -13
Point-Spreads.com NFL Week 7 Predictions on the Buffalo Bills vs Baltimore Ravens Betting Odds
The Bottom Line: The Bills are the worst. Be sure to get your NFL Week 7 Predictions on the Buffalo Bills vs Baltimore Ravens. Ravens 41-Bills 3
Monday, October 18, 2010
Buffalo Bills Have Hit Rock Bottom Following 0-5 Start
Thurman Thomas didn't realize how low his beloved Buffalo Bills had sunk until the Hall of Fame running back walked past four fans wearing paper bags over their heads at last weekend's home game.
It was one thing for Thomas to chuckle at seeing disgruntled fans doing that in places like Detroit or even New Orleans, back when the Saints were still the 'Aints.
But Buffalo?
"The first thing that came to my mind was, 'Are these guys that bad?"' Thomas said a few days after encountering the fans at Ralph Wilson Stadium during Buffalo's 36-26 loss to Jacksonville. "And I got to thinking about it, you know, like, 'Wow, you only really see bags with teams that really stink."'
Hate to break it to you, Thurman.
These Bills are, indeed, really bad - entering their bye week at 0-5, marking their worst start in 25 years and with little sign of things getting better any time soon.
Safety Donte Whitner called the Bills a "laughingstock" while guard Eric Wood didn't dispute the possibility of going 0-16 following the loss to Jacksonville. The Bills once-hearty fans have turned angry or apathetic, with the team facing the prospect of having as many as five non-sellouts at home, including its game Nov. 7 at Toronto against Chicago.
Former coach-turned-TV-analyst Tony Dungy had difficulty determining whether the Bills or winless Panthers were worse during an NBC broadcast Sunday. He said the two teams would play to a 0-0 tie if they met this season.
And even Bills owner Ralph Wilson had few words to describe his team's woes, except to say, "It's bad," and suggest it might take as many as three years to turn it around.
Such is the sad state of a once-proud franchise that's gone from being the AFC's winningest team in the 1990s to one of the NFL's worst since 2000. It's a 10-plus-year stretch in which the Bills have enjoyed one winning season (a 9-7 finish in 2004) and failed to make the playoffs, tying Detroit for the longest active drought.
It's so bad, first-year general manager Buddy Nix said the biggest challenge he and coach Chan Gailey face is addressing the losing culture that's been allowed to fester.
"To be honest with you, it's the hardest thing you have to do," Nix said. "I don't care whether you want to admit it or not, but losing gets to be a habit. And it gets to be something you accept. And we're not going to do that."
This season's start marks the ninth time in 11 years the Bills have had a losing record five games in, a stretch of futility that's been the result of endless coaching and quarterback changes and inconsistent drafting.
Gailey is the team's sixth head coach since Hall of Famer Marv Levy retired following the 1997 season. The Bills have had nine quarterbacks start at least eight games since Jim Kelly retired after 1996. And Buffalo's drafts have produced as many first-round busts - offensive tackle Mike Williams, quarterback J.P. Losman, defensive tackle John McCargo and potentially linebacker Aaron Maybin - as proven regulars, including Wood and receiver Lee Evans.
Caught in the midst of criticism, frustration and ever dwindling expectations is a group of players searching for answers and clinging to what few positives they can, while believing one win could bring a turnaround.
"Our focus is trying to win a football game, getting some confidence back, trying to get a feeling of happiness," Evans said. "We're not trying to say there's nothing bad going on. ... But if we sat up here and thought about everything bad going on, it would make it real hard to come in."
The Bills offense lacks identity, and went through an upheaval after Week 2, when quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick took over as starter in place of Trent Edwards, who was released a week later.
Their defense has been even worse, having allowed 30 or more points in its last four games to mark the worst stretch in franchise history. And they can't stop the run, having allowed 689 yards rushing in their past three games.
Defensive end Marcus Stroud is stung by the level of criticism - some of it personal and profane - fans are heaping on the team.
"The fans are relentless. We're hearing it. Some of it is deserved and some of it isn't," Stroud said.
As for those who chose to wear paper bags, Stroud shook his head in wonder.
"If that's how you want to display your anger, that's cool," he said. "But one thing about it, cussing at us and wearing paper bags ain't going to do a damn thing to help turn it around."
Fans such as Mark Burr are fed up. Estimating he's attended more than 300 Bills games, he gave up his club seat season-tickets following the 2008 season and even passed up free tickets to go last Sunday.
"I have just programmed my DVR to record the games and make other plans for Sunday afternoon," Burr said.
Though crediting Wilson for his loyalty to Buffalo 51 years after establishing the franchise, Burr questioned the club's lack of direction.
"The incentive to win finishes a distant second to the bottom line," Burr said. "He has a reasonable expectation to turn an acceptable profit, but the product has suffered more often than not."
Wilson was open to paying for a high-profile coach this offseason, but the Bills were rejected by both Mike Shanahan and Bill Cowher. The owner says there's no one else to blame but him for what's gone wrong.
The last time the Bills were this bad was in 1984 and '85, when they finished with 2-14 records.
Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith remembers fans wearing paper bags during his rookie season in '85. What's more memorable is how Smith joined Kelly, Thomas and Levy to form the core of a team that made four straight Super Bowl appearances from 1991-94.
"It's very difficult to see where we once were, and where we are now," Smith said.
Since February 2000 - when Smith, Thomas and receiver Andre Reed were all released - the Bills have always packed up after the regular season. As for this being the lowpoint and the dawn of something special, Smith wasn't sure.
"I hope. I try to be optimistic," he said. "But to be quite honest, since the team was broken up in 1999, we have not had the success that we had hoped for."
It was one thing for Thomas to chuckle at seeing disgruntled fans doing that in places like Detroit or even New Orleans, back when the Saints were still the 'Aints.
But Buffalo?
"The first thing that came to my mind was, 'Are these guys that bad?"' Thomas said a few days after encountering the fans at Ralph Wilson Stadium during Buffalo's 36-26 loss to Jacksonville. "And I got to thinking about it, you know, like, 'Wow, you only really see bags with teams that really stink."'
Hate to break it to you, Thurman.
These Bills are, indeed, really bad - entering their bye week at 0-5, marking their worst start in 25 years and with little sign of things getting better any time soon.
Safety Donte Whitner called the Bills a "laughingstock" while guard Eric Wood didn't dispute the possibility of going 0-16 following the loss to Jacksonville. The Bills once-hearty fans have turned angry or apathetic, with the team facing the prospect of having as many as five non-sellouts at home, including its game Nov. 7 at Toronto against Chicago.
Former coach-turned-TV-analyst Tony Dungy had difficulty determining whether the Bills or winless Panthers were worse during an NBC broadcast Sunday. He said the two teams would play to a 0-0 tie if they met this season.
And even Bills owner Ralph Wilson had few words to describe his team's woes, except to say, "It's bad," and suggest it might take as many as three years to turn it around.
Such is the sad state of a once-proud franchise that's gone from being the AFC's winningest team in the 1990s to one of the NFL's worst since 2000. It's a 10-plus-year stretch in which the Bills have enjoyed one winning season (a 9-7 finish in 2004) and failed to make the playoffs, tying Detroit for the longest active drought.
It's so bad, first-year general manager Buddy Nix said the biggest challenge he and coach Chan Gailey face is addressing the losing culture that's been allowed to fester.
"To be honest with you, it's the hardest thing you have to do," Nix said. "I don't care whether you want to admit it or not, but losing gets to be a habit. And it gets to be something you accept. And we're not going to do that."
This season's start marks the ninth time in 11 years the Bills have had a losing record five games in, a stretch of futility that's been the result of endless coaching and quarterback changes and inconsistent drafting.
Gailey is the team's sixth head coach since Hall of Famer Marv Levy retired following the 1997 season. The Bills have had nine quarterbacks start at least eight games since Jim Kelly retired after 1996. And Buffalo's drafts have produced as many first-round busts - offensive tackle Mike Williams, quarterback J.P. Losman, defensive tackle John McCargo and potentially linebacker Aaron Maybin - as proven regulars, including Wood and receiver Lee Evans.
Caught in the midst of criticism, frustration and ever dwindling expectations is a group of players searching for answers and clinging to what few positives they can, while believing one win could bring a turnaround.
"Our focus is trying to win a football game, getting some confidence back, trying to get a feeling of happiness," Evans said. "We're not trying to say there's nothing bad going on. ... But if we sat up here and thought about everything bad going on, it would make it real hard to come in."
The Bills offense lacks identity, and went through an upheaval after Week 2, when quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick took over as starter in place of Trent Edwards, who was released a week later.
Their defense has been even worse, having allowed 30 or more points in its last four games to mark the worst stretch in franchise history. And they can't stop the run, having allowed 689 yards rushing in their past three games.
Defensive end Marcus Stroud is stung by the level of criticism - some of it personal and profane - fans are heaping on the team.
"The fans are relentless. We're hearing it. Some of it is deserved and some of it isn't," Stroud said.
As for those who chose to wear paper bags, Stroud shook his head in wonder.
"If that's how you want to display your anger, that's cool," he said. "But one thing about it, cussing at us and wearing paper bags ain't going to do a damn thing to help turn it around."
Fans such as Mark Burr are fed up. Estimating he's attended more than 300 Bills games, he gave up his club seat season-tickets following the 2008 season and even passed up free tickets to go last Sunday.
"I have just programmed my DVR to record the games and make other plans for Sunday afternoon," Burr said.
Though crediting Wilson for his loyalty to Buffalo 51 years after establishing the franchise, Burr questioned the club's lack of direction.
"The incentive to win finishes a distant second to the bottom line," Burr said. "He has a reasonable expectation to turn an acceptable profit, but the product has suffered more often than not."
Wilson was open to paying for a high-profile coach this offseason, but the Bills were rejected by both Mike Shanahan and Bill Cowher. The owner says there's no one else to blame but him for what's gone wrong.
The last time the Bills were this bad was in 1984 and '85, when they finished with 2-14 records.
Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith remembers fans wearing paper bags during his rookie season in '85. What's more memorable is how Smith joined Kelly, Thomas and Levy to form the core of a team that made four straight Super Bowl appearances from 1991-94.
"It's very difficult to see where we once were, and where we are now," Smith said.
Since February 2000 - when Smith, Thomas and receiver Andre Reed were all released - the Bills have always packed up after the regular season. As for this being the lowpoint and the dawn of something special, Smith wasn't sure.
"I hope. I try to be optimistic," he said. "But to be quite honest, since the team was broken up in 1999, we have not had the success that we had hoped for."
Monday, October 11, 2010
Buffalo Bills Lose Jags 36-26. Countdown 0-16 Officially Begins
Despite two takeaways, over 300 yards of total offense and three touchdowns from Ryan Fitzpatrick, it wasn’t enough to secure the first win of the 2010 season for the Buffalo Bills.
David Garrard’s three touchdowns and Josh Scobee’s four field goals helped the Jacksonville Jaguars avoid a big letdown, as the Jaguars downed the Bills 36-26. Jacksonville has won two straight and improves to 3-2, while the Bills remain one of two teams in the NFL without a win so far this season.
The Bills raced out of the gate to a 10-0 early lead thanks to Lee Evans’ first touchdown of the season, a 45-yard strike from Fitzpatrick. Rian Lindell’s 29-yard field goal gave Buffalo the early double digit advantage. With just less than six minutes remaining in the first half and Buffalo on top 13-3, the Jaguars scored 10 straight points. Garrard capped off the first half comeback with a 1-yard pass to tight end Marcedes Lewis that tied the game at 13 with :25 seconds left in the first half.
Out of the locker room, Jacksonville wasted little time pulling ahead of Buffalo, as Garrard again hooked up with Lewis for a 27-yard score to give the Jags the lead at 20-13 with less than two minutes gone in the third. Fitzpatrick ’s five-yard touchdown pass to Steve Johnson got things tied at 20, but Garrard and the Jags would answer back near the end of the third quarter. His third touchdown of the day, this one to receiver Mike Sims-Walker, gave the Jaguars the lead 27-20. Jacksonville would not trail the rest of the afternoon.
Three straight field goals from Scobee (34, 40, 46) helped the Jaguars pull away from the Bills in the fourth quarter. With just over 90 seconds left in the game, Fitzpatrick again hooked up with Johnson on a 7-yard pass but the Bills couldn’t convert the two-point conversion. Jacksonville outscored the Bills 23-13 in the second half, and despite trailing at one point in the game 13-6, the Jaguars went on to outscore the Bills 30-13.
With the Bills still sitting on a goose egg in the win column, picking up their first win next week appears to be a tall order, as the Bills travel to Baltimore to square off against the Ravens.
David Garrard’s three touchdowns and Josh Scobee’s four field goals helped the Jacksonville Jaguars avoid a big letdown, as the Jaguars downed the Bills 36-26. Jacksonville has won two straight and improves to 3-2, while the Bills remain one of two teams in the NFL without a win so far this season.
The Bills raced out of the gate to a 10-0 early lead thanks to Lee Evans’ first touchdown of the season, a 45-yard strike from Fitzpatrick. Rian Lindell’s 29-yard field goal gave Buffalo the early double digit advantage. With just less than six minutes remaining in the first half and Buffalo on top 13-3, the Jaguars scored 10 straight points. Garrard capped off the first half comeback with a 1-yard pass to tight end Marcedes Lewis that tied the game at 13 with :25 seconds left in the first half.
Out of the locker room, Jacksonville wasted little time pulling ahead of Buffalo, as Garrard again hooked up with Lewis for a 27-yard score to give the Jags the lead at 20-13 with less than two minutes gone in the third. Fitzpatrick ’s five-yard touchdown pass to Steve Johnson got things tied at 20, but Garrard and the Jags would answer back near the end of the third quarter. His third touchdown of the day, this one to receiver Mike Sims-Walker, gave the Jaguars the lead 27-20. Jacksonville would not trail the rest of the afternoon.
Three straight field goals from Scobee (34, 40, 46) helped the Jaguars pull away from the Bills in the fourth quarter. With just over 90 seconds left in the game, Fitzpatrick again hooked up with Johnson on a 7-yard pass but the Bills couldn’t convert the two-point conversion. Jacksonville outscored the Bills 23-13 in the second half, and despite trailing at one point in the game 13-6, the Jaguars went on to outscore the Bills 30-13.
With the Bills still sitting on a goose egg in the win column, picking up their first win next week appears to be a tall order, as the Bills travel to Baltimore to square off against the Ravens.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Week 5 Preview
A more confident Jacksonville Jaguars team heads up to play the Buffalo Bills on October 10th. The Jacksonville Jaguars once again owned the Indianapolis Colts to
win their first game of the NFL season and save a couple of jobs in the process. The Buffalo Bills were expected to play the New York Jets tough in their AFC East battle but that is not the way their game went. The Buffalo Bills were blown out of their own building in an embarrassing loss.
Jacksonville Jaguars Defense vs Buffalo Bills Offense
The Jacksonville Jaguars defense has been inconsistent at best and they still gave up 28 points to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in their last game. The corners for the Jacksonville Jaguars are below average but the defensive line has been a surprise early in the 2010 NFL campaign.
The Buffalo Bills Fitzpatrick will have to pick on the Jacksonville Jaguars corners if wants to have success in this game. The Jacksonville Jaguars are very beatable on the edges and down the the field but they are strong in the middle. Fitzpatraick does have weapons at wide out with Lee Evans and Robert Parrish. The Jacksonville Jaguars defense has a slight edge over the Buffalo Bills offense.
Buffalo Bills Defense vs Jacksonville Jaguars Offense
The much maligned Buffalo Bills defense is not as bad as one would believe. They are solid on the corners with Leodis McKelvin and Reggie Corner and they have some strong linebackers in Paul Posluszny and Chris Kelsay. Many teams look to pass on the Buffalo Billd defense but the New York Jets had the right plan against them. The New York Jets pounded the ball inside and rarely threw the ball outside the hash marks.
The Jacksonville Jaguars offense was dormant until they faced the Indianapolis Colts in their last game. David Gerrard looked more confident as the game against the Colts wore on and if can parlay that attitude and bring it when he plays the Buffalo Bills he could win his second game in a row. The Jacksonville Jaguars offense has the edge over the Buffalo Bills defense but it is close. Jaguars 31- Bills 17.
win their first game of the NFL season and save a couple of jobs in the process. The Buffalo Bills were expected to play the New York Jets tough in their AFC East battle but that is not the way their game went. The Buffalo Bills were blown out of their own building in an embarrassing loss.
Jacksonville Jaguars Defense vs Buffalo Bills Offense
The Jacksonville Jaguars defense has been inconsistent at best and they still gave up 28 points to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in their last game. The corners for the Jacksonville Jaguars are below average but the defensive line has been a surprise early in the 2010 NFL campaign.
The Buffalo Bills Fitzpatrick will have to pick on the Jacksonville Jaguars corners if wants to have success in this game. The Jacksonville Jaguars are very beatable on the edges and down the the field but they are strong in the middle. Fitzpatraick does have weapons at wide out with Lee Evans and Robert Parrish. The Jacksonville Jaguars defense has a slight edge over the Buffalo Bills offense.
Buffalo Bills Defense vs Jacksonville Jaguars Offense
The much maligned Buffalo Bills defense is not as bad as one would believe. They are solid on the corners with Leodis McKelvin and Reggie Corner and they have some strong linebackers in Paul Posluszny and Chris Kelsay. Many teams look to pass on the Buffalo Billd defense but the New York Jets had the right plan against them. The New York Jets pounded the ball inside and rarely threw the ball outside the hash marks.
The Jacksonville Jaguars offense was dormant until they faced the Indianapolis Colts in their last game. David Gerrard looked more confident as the game against the Colts wore on and if can parlay that attitude and bring it when he plays the Buffalo Bills he could win his second game in a row. The Jacksonville Jaguars offense has the edge over the Buffalo Bills defense but it is close. Jaguars 31- Bills 17.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Buffalo Bills Will Go 0-16 This Season
Sal Maiorana - # The Bills, Lions and 49ers are the last three winless NFL teams. Worst of the worst? No doubt about it, it’s the Bills.
# This one blew me away. I’m in the press box, midway through the fourth quarter, I’m on Twitter, and I see that a few of my Twitter followers were really mad at me for my treatment of the Bills during the game. Are you kidding? Was I supposed to defend that performance? Applaud it? Ignore the horror of it? I know reality stinks, but folks, what stinks is this team.
# The final score of 38-14 wasn’t even indicative of the way the game went. It wasn’t that close. The Jets had the ball 40 minutes, they rushed for 273 yards, outgained the Bills by 221 yards, and anyone who watched would have to agree — the score could have been worse.
# Say what you want about SS Donte Whitner, that he was a wasted first-round pick or whatever, but the guy cares. The losing kills him, and so does the embarrassment. More Bills should care that much.
# I have defended Lee Evans and sympathized with him per his situation with this woeful team, but this guy has to start making plays, too. He had a few chances against the blitzing Jets, and he did nothing with single coverage. His lone catch came in the final minute. It went for six yards. In his last 25 games, he’s had one catch of more than 40 yards. He’s good, but he’s not an elite receiver in the NFL.
# I think I’m going to skip my weekly ripping of Aaron Maybin. Besides, it’s tough to rip him when I never saw him on the field. Oops, that might have been a rip.
# The Bills rushed for 114 yards. Looks good, right? It wasn’t. Their three stud RBs combined for nine carries and 40 yards.
# The Jets rushed for 273 yards. Yeah, that looks good. LaDainian Tomlinson was too old to play for the Chargers, but he had 133 yards against the Bills. Shonn Greene had 117. First time two backs have topped 100 yards rushing against the Bills in the same game since 2007.
# I’m guessing that $24 million Chris Kelsay contract extension has a few fans riled up. Yes, you were riled up before the game, and then you watched him play Sunday. I don’t get it either.
# It will be interesting to see who gets cut today. Last week it was Trent Edwards. Anyone have any nominees today? And no, you can’t say the whole roster, even though it’s warranted.
# This one blew me away. I’m in the press box, midway through the fourth quarter, I’m on Twitter, and I see that a few of my Twitter followers were really mad at me for my treatment of the Bills during the game. Are you kidding? Was I supposed to defend that performance? Applaud it? Ignore the horror of it? I know reality stinks, but folks, what stinks is this team.
# The final score of 38-14 wasn’t even indicative of the way the game went. It wasn’t that close. The Jets had the ball 40 minutes, they rushed for 273 yards, outgained the Bills by 221 yards, and anyone who watched would have to agree — the score could have been worse.
# Say what you want about SS Donte Whitner, that he was a wasted first-round pick or whatever, but the guy cares. The losing kills him, and so does the embarrassment. More Bills should care that much.
# I have defended Lee Evans and sympathized with him per his situation with this woeful team, but this guy has to start making plays, too. He had a few chances against the blitzing Jets, and he did nothing with single coverage. His lone catch came in the final minute. It went for six yards. In his last 25 games, he’s had one catch of more than 40 yards. He’s good, but he’s not an elite receiver in the NFL.
# I think I’m going to skip my weekly ripping of Aaron Maybin. Besides, it’s tough to rip him when I never saw him on the field. Oops, that might have been a rip.
# The Bills rushed for 114 yards. Looks good, right? It wasn’t. Their three stud RBs combined for nine carries and 40 yards.
# The Jets rushed for 273 yards. Yeah, that looks good. LaDainian Tomlinson was too old to play for the Chargers, but he had 133 yards against the Bills. Shonn Greene had 117. First time two backs have topped 100 yards rushing against the Bills in the same game since 2007.
# I’m guessing that $24 million Chris Kelsay contract extension has a few fans riled up. Yes, you were riled up before the game, and then you watched him play Sunday. I don’t get it either.
# It will be interesting to see who gets cut today. Last week it was Trent Edwards. Anyone have any nominees today? And no, you can’t say the whole roster, even though it’s warranted.
Buffalo Bills Report: Monday Mourning QB Oct 4, 2010
Coach Chan Gailey's return to the NFL as a head coach couldn't be going any worse. And things could get worse before they get better.
After a 38-14 loss at home to the high-flying New York Jets, Buffalo fell to 0-4, the only winless team in the AFC at the NFL's quarter pole.
The Bills host the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are coming off an upset of the Indianapolis Colts, this Sunday before a much-needed bye week. But their return to play has them playing road games at division leaders Baltimore and surprising Kansas City.
"We were a bad football team today," Gailey said after his team was thoroughly outplayed by the Jets. "When we protected, we couldn't catch it. We couldn't get off the field on third down. We couldn't convert third down. We were not good on special teams. We turned the ball over twice. We didn't get any turnovers. We got sacked three times. We didn't get any sacks. If you play that way, you're not going to win. You're not going to even look decent in this league."
At 0-3 in the AFC East, the Bills are looking indecent.
After the Jets loss, a game in which Buffalo was outgained 444-223 in total yards, emotions spilled over. Offensively, the Bills were 0-for-10 on third-down conversions. Defensively, they watched New York rush 49 times for 273 yards.
"I'm calling out my teammates and I'm calling out myself," safety Donte Whitner said. "It's not about X's and O's. It's not about the coaching staff. This is the second and third coaching staffs that have been here. It can't be about X's and O's and keep changing coaches. It's about who wants to come out and play with some heart. That's what it's about."
The Bills, who had a tumultuous week that included the release of demoted starting quarterback Trent Edwards and the release of linebacker Kawika Mitchell via injury settlement, fell behind 17-0 before a late first-half scoring drive engineered by Ryan Fitzpatrick.
But the Jets quickly put the game away with a 21-point third quarter. The Jets scored touchdowns on three consecutive possessions with uncovered tight end Dustin Keller hauling in two scoring passes and ageless running back LaDainian Tomlinson scoring on a 26-yard run. Tomlinson finished with 133 yards rushing and two touchdowns overall. Shonn Greene added 117 yards on the ground and Mark Sanchez threw for two scores.
Buffalo, which led the AFC with 33 takeaways a year ago, has just one n four games. Despite switching to a 3-4 scheme, Buffalo is allowing an average of 31.3 points per game. Three defensive starters sat out against the Jets, but nobody is pretending the presence of Marcus Stroud, Andra Davis and Terrence McGee would've made a difference.
"That was bad, all around that was bad," said linebacker Paul Posluszny, who returned from missing two games with a sprained knee. "We come into the game saying we have to be more physical than them to win, and we weren't. They ran the ball all over us. I was embarrassed to be part of that. We have to take a close look and see what changes need to be made, and in a hurry, because that was a very poor performance by us."
After a 38-14 loss at home to the high-flying New York Jets, Buffalo fell to 0-4, the only winless team in the AFC at the NFL's quarter pole.
The Bills host the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are coming off an upset of the Indianapolis Colts, this Sunday before a much-needed bye week. But their return to play has them playing road games at division leaders Baltimore and surprising Kansas City.
"We were a bad football team today," Gailey said after his team was thoroughly outplayed by the Jets. "When we protected, we couldn't catch it. We couldn't get off the field on third down. We couldn't convert third down. We were not good on special teams. We turned the ball over twice. We didn't get any turnovers. We got sacked three times. We didn't get any sacks. If you play that way, you're not going to win. You're not going to even look decent in this league."
At 0-3 in the AFC East, the Bills are looking indecent.
After the Jets loss, a game in which Buffalo was outgained 444-223 in total yards, emotions spilled over. Offensively, the Bills were 0-for-10 on third-down conversions. Defensively, they watched New York rush 49 times for 273 yards.
"I'm calling out my teammates and I'm calling out myself," safety Donte Whitner said. "It's not about X's and O's. It's not about the coaching staff. This is the second and third coaching staffs that have been here. It can't be about X's and O's and keep changing coaches. It's about who wants to come out and play with some heart. That's what it's about."
The Bills, who had a tumultuous week that included the release of demoted starting quarterback Trent Edwards and the release of linebacker Kawika Mitchell via injury settlement, fell behind 17-0 before a late first-half scoring drive engineered by Ryan Fitzpatrick.
But the Jets quickly put the game away with a 21-point third quarter. The Jets scored touchdowns on three consecutive possessions with uncovered tight end Dustin Keller hauling in two scoring passes and ageless running back LaDainian Tomlinson scoring on a 26-yard run. Tomlinson finished with 133 yards rushing and two touchdowns overall. Shonn Greene added 117 yards on the ground and Mark Sanchez threw for two scores.
Buffalo, which led the AFC with 33 takeaways a year ago, has just one n four games. Despite switching to a 3-4 scheme, Buffalo is allowing an average of 31.3 points per game. Three defensive starters sat out against the Jets, but nobody is pretending the presence of Marcus Stroud, Andra Davis and Terrence McGee would've made a difference.
"That was bad, all around that was bad," said linebacker Paul Posluszny, who returned from missing two games with a sprained knee. "We come into the game saying we have to be more physical than them to win, and we weren't. They ran the ball all over us. I was embarrassed to be part of that. We have to take a close look and see what changes need to be made, and in a hurry, because that was a very poor performance by us."
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets Week 4 preview
The New York Jets play their second consecutive NFL road game against the Buffalo Bills October 3rd. The Buffalo Bills gave
the New England Patriots and Tom Brady all they could handle in their game last weekend and this game could be similar if CJ Spiller can get involved as he was against New England.
The New York Jets are excited about the eminent appearance of Santonio Holmes in the fifth week of the NFL season. Mark Sanchez has performed well in his last two games for the New York Jets but is this an aberration or is this the real Mark Sanchez? If Sanchez is playing at the level of his last two games it will be an easy path for the New York Jets to make the NFL Playoffs.
Passing Attack for New York Jets a Step Above Buffalo Bills Heading into This AFC East Game
Mark Sanchez lived up to his nickname the Sanchise in his last two games for the New York Jets but now he returns to the scene of the crime from last season. Sanchez last trip to Orchard Park was not one he will soon forget. Sanchez was destroyed in one of his worst performances of last season. Sanchez fumbled once and only threw for 104 yards.
Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Buffalo Bills started against Sanchez the last time the two teams met and he only threw for 98 yards. The burning question will be answered this Sunday. Will either quarterback break 100 yards in this AFC East battle royal? Fitzpatrick will be undertaking his second start of the short NFL season and he played with confidence in first start against the New England Patriots. The passing attack edge goes to the New York Jets but just barely.
Ground Game For New York Jets Struggles While Buffalo Bills See Light at End of Tunnel
Shonn Greene, the New York Jets running back has struggled to get on track this season but his back up has done well in the first three games. LaDanian Tomlinson has looked like a young version of himself early in the season. Tomlinson has broken off some exciting runs and has actually shown speed to the outside. Tomlinson still looks ineffective running inside the hash marks. Jets crush the Bills. Jets 34 - Bills 13
the New England Patriots and Tom Brady all they could handle in their game last weekend and this game could be similar if CJ Spiller can get involved as he was against New England.
The New York Jets are excited about the eminent appearance of Santonio Holmes in the fifth week of the NFL season. Mark Sanchez has performed well in his last two games for the New York Jets but is this an aberration or is this the real Mark Sanchez? If Sanchez is playing at the level of his last two games it will be an easy path for the New York Jets to make the NFL Playoffs.
Passing Attack for New York Jets a Step Above Buffalo Bills Heading into This AFC East Game
Mark Sanchez lived up to his nickname the Sanchise in his last two games for the New York Jets but now he returns to the scene of the crime from last season. Sanchez last trip to Orchard Park was not one he will soon forget. Sanchez was destroyed in one of his worst performances of last season. Sanchez fumbled once and only threw for 104 yards.
Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Buffalo Bills started against Sanchez the last time the two teams met and he only threw for 98 yards. The burning question will be answered this Sunday. Will either quarterback break 100 yards in this AFC East battle royal? Fitzpatrick will be undertaking his second start of the short NFL season and he played with confidence in first start against the New England Patriots. The passing attack edge goes to the New York Jets but just barely.
Ground Game For New York Jets Struggles While Buffalo Bills See Light at End of Tunnel
Shonn Greene, the New York Jets running back has struggled to get on track this season but his back up has done well in the first three games. LaDanian Tomlinson has looked like a young version of himself early in the season. Tomlinson has broken off some exciting runs and has actually shown speed to the outside. Tomlinson still looks ineffective running inside the hash marks. Jets crush the Bills. Jets 34 - Bills 13
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Buffalo Bills Review: Was Releasing Trent Edwards the Right Call?
Leo Roth & Sal Maiorana - Leo: It was, only it came eight months late. Taking this long to realize that the gunslingin' Ryan Fitzpatrick — think Jim Kelly without the arm — gives the Bills a better shot at winning than the gun-shy Edwards doesn't speak well of GM Buddy Nix and coach Chan Gailey as talent evaluators.
Sal: I'll go one further. Thinking that the Bills had a better shot winning with either Edwards or Fitzpatrick was a double-barreled mistake by this new regime. Yes, Fitzpatrick played decently Sunday in New England, but he's still a backup. That's all he'll ever be.
Leo: Clearly, the Bills are a more productive and more entertaining offensive team with Fitzpatrick under center and having Edwards shuffling around One Bills Drive was a major downer, just as it was the last seven games of 2009 when Edwards was benched.
Sal: I'm not clear about anything with this Buffalo offense, except for one thing: It needs a first-string, winning quarterback. Fitz is not that guy. He's a good backup, but they're not winning consistently with him. I'm just glad Gailey didn't wait until the Bills were 0-8 to make the move.
Leo: I'm just wondering about releasing him at this juncture. Teams still need a backup quarterback and Buffalo is left with Brian Brohm.
Sal: Yeah, but Brohm is the guy we were intrigued with all along. We knew what the Bills had with Edwards and Fitzpatrick. I just wish Gailey had played Brohm more in the preseason because maybe we'd know if he has a chance to be any good. Right now, it's a mystery.
Leo: All things considered, cutting Trent is a good move. He's a good guy and deserves to get on with his life. He can always say he played in the NFL and he can never say he didn't get a fair shot. He got many. Not a lot of players can say that.
Sal: So I guess you're saying he's not hooking on with anyone else and that football is over for him? I'll bet some team signs him. He can't play, but he's not done yet.
Leo: Add it up and the Dysfunctional Bills are right on course for the No. 1 pick. So what happened to Edwards' once-rising star, anyways?
Sal: The popular belief is that he was never the same after that hit by Arizona's Adrian Wilson five games into the 2008 season. Maybe, but my guess is that he just was never that good. If you remember, I wasn't impressed in his rookie '07 season when everyone was so excited after he supplanted J.P. Losman. Fans were just glad that he wasn't Losman.
Leo: I do remember, but I thought he had something. So I do think Trent was never the same after that hit. The game seemed to suddenly become too fast for him. But that doesn't explain why he played really well in beating San Diego, a playoff team, the very next week, and why he posted 100-plus QB ratings four other times. You have to admit he never had the best coaching, either. What would the late Bill Walsh, his biggest cheerleader, have done with this guy?
Sal: Trent went through three offensive coordinators during Dick Jauron's forgettable regime, and that certainly didn't help his progress.
Leo: The thing is, Edwards was all excited about having to answer to only one voice this season, that being Gailey's, and he still flopped despite a promising preseason. It's true Edwards was the victim of bad coaching. But so was Losman, who threw for 3,000 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2006 before being ruined by Jauron's gang. The true greats rise above crappy coaching and make a play. Trent never made much happen out there.
Sal: I have nothing to add on that. You are dead on with that assessment.
Leo: It's admirable that Nix and Gailey admitted their mistake instead of stubbornly sticking with Edwards all season. But I'm really reluctant to hand out praise here. Their rebuilding job has been set back by this decision.
Sal: Now on that point, I will disagree. What got set back here? They just rid themselves of a lousy quarterback. I have a couple other ideas. Keep the brooms out and get rid of Cornell Green, who can't block anyone. And oh, don't get me started on Aaron Maybin.
Leo: What about Marshawn Lynch? Isn't he on your hit list?
Sal: Well, sure, why not? He's a free agent at the end of the year. C.J. Spiller is their future, and Fred Jackson is signed for another two years to be the backup. Lynch has run well. Trade him now while he may have value.
Leo: So now Fitzpatrick is the guy. He's more fun to watch, that's for sure. But as we saw Sunday against New England, he's prone to big mistakes, which will limit just how many games the offense can win on its own.
Sal: And after watching Buffalo's pitiful defensive showing against a good offensive team for a second straight week, I don't see the Bills winning many shootouts.
Leo: I think after three games, we've got a pretty good handle on this Buffalo team. Offensively, they can average about 17 to 21 points if Fitzpatrick plays well and defensively they'll allow about 30 a game, with the occasional inspired performance tossed in.
Sal: Yup, right on track for the No. 1 pick.
Leo: In conclusion, I'm as encouraged about the offense under Fitzpatrick as I am depressed by the news that the Bills want to give Chris Kelsay a $24 million contract extension. For what, giving good quotes after another loss? Edwards? Green? Kelsay? Maybin? This franchise just can't be taken seriously at times.
Sal: Yup, which is why they are right on track for the No. 1 pick. Thanks for the (lack of) memories, Trent.
Sal: I'll go one further. Thinking that the Bills had a better shot winning with either Edwards or Fitzpatrick was a double-barreled mistake by this new regime. Yes, Fitzpatrick played decently Sunday in New England, but he's still a backup. That's all he'll ever be.
Leo: Clearly, the Bills are a more productive and more entertaining offensive team with Fitzpatrick under center and having Edwards shuffling around One Bills Drive was a major downer, just as it was the last seven games of 2009 when Edwards was benched.
Sal: I'm not clear about anything with this Buffalo offense, except for one thing: It needs a first-string, winning quarterback. Fitz is not that guy. He's a good backup, but they're not winning consistently with him. I'm just glad Gailey didn't wait until the Bills were 0-8 to make the move.
Leo: I'm just wondering about releasing him at this juncture. Teams still need a backup quarterback and Buffalo is left with Brian Brohm.
Sal: Yeah, but Brohm is the guy we were intrigued with all along. We knew what the Bills had with Edwards and Fitzpatrick. I just wish Gailey had played Brohm more in the preseason because maybe we'd know if he has a chance to be any good. Right now, it's a mystery.
Leo: All things considered, cutting Trent is a good move. He's a good guy and deserves to get on with his life. He can always say he played in the NFL and he can never say he didn't get a fair shot. He got many. Not a lot of players can say that.
Sal: So I guess you're saying he's not hooking on with anyone else and that football is over for him? I'll bet some team signs him. He can't play, but he's not done yet.
Leo: Add it up and the Dysfunctional Bills are right on course for the No. 1 pick. So what happened to Edwards' once-rising star, anyways?
Sal: The popular belief is that he was never the same after that hit by Arizona's Adrian Wilson five games into the 2008 season. Maybe, but my guess is that he just was never that good. If you remember, I wasn't impressed in his rookie '07 season when everyone was so excited after he supplanted J.P. Losman. Fans were just glad that he wasn't Losman.
Leo: I do remember, but I thought he had something. So I do think Trent was never the same after that hit. The game seemed to suddenly become too fast for him. But that doesn't explain why he played really well in beating San Diego, a playoff team, the very next week, and why he posted 100-plus QB ratings four other times. You have to admit he never had the best coaching, either. What would the late Bill Walsh, his biggest cheerleader, have done with this guy?
Sal: Trent went through three offensive coordinators during Dick Jauron's forgettable regime, and that certainly didn't help his progress.
Leo: The thing is, Edwards was all excited about having to answer to only one voice this season, that being Gailey's, and he still flopped despite a promising preseason. It's true Edwards was the victim of bad coaching. But so was Losman, who threw for 3,000 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2006 before being ruined by Jauron's gang. The true greats rise above crappy coaching and make a play. Trent never made much happen out there.
Sal: I have nothing to add on that. You are dead on with that assessment.
Leo: It's admirable that Nix and Gailey admitted their mistake instead of stubbornly sticking with Edwards all season. But I'm really reluctant to hand out praise here. Their rebuilding job has been set back by this decision.
Sal: Now on that point, I will disagree. What got set back here? They just rid themselves of a lousy quarterback. I have a couple other ideas. Keep the brooms out and get rid of Cornell Green, who can't block anyone. And oh, don't get me started on Aaron Maybin.
Leo: What about Marshawn Lynch? Isn't he on your hit list?
Sal: Well, sure, why not? He's a free agent at the end of the year. C.J. Spiller is their future, and Fred Jackson is signed for another two years to be the backup. Lynch has run well. Trade him now while he may have value.
Leo: So now Fitzpatrick is the guy. He's more fun to watch, that's for sure. But as we saw Sunday against New England, he's prone to big mistakes, which will limit just how many games the offense can win on its own.
Sal: And after watching Buffalo's pitiful defensive showing against a good offensive team for a second straight week, I don't see the Bills winning many shootouts.
Leo: I think after three games, we've got a pretty good handle on this Buffalo team. Offensively, they can average about 17 to 21 points if Fitzpatrick plays well and defensively they'll allow about 30 a game, with the occasional inspired performance tossed in.
Sal: Yup, right on track for the No. 1 pick.
Leo: In conclusion, I'm as encouraged about the offense under Fitzpatrick as I am depressed by the news that the Bills want to give Chris Kelsay a $24 million contract extension. For what, giving good quotes after another loss? Edwards? Green? Kelsay? Maybin? This franchise just can't be taken seriously at times.
Sal: Yup, which is why they are right on track for the No. 1 pick. Thanks for the (lack of) memories, Trent.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Buffalo Bills Are Due For A Win Against The New England Patriots
After dropping their first two regular-season assignments, the Buffalo Bills are bracing for an even tougher test Sunday when they play the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The Bills (0-2) are expected to go all out against the Patriots after they suffered a humiliating 34-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers last week.
However, history does not favor the Bills coming into Sunday’s matchup.
In their last 11 matches, the Bills were simply outclassed by their AFC East rival, as they lost by an average margin of 33-11.
Nevertheless, the Bills are determined to turn the tables this time around.
Bills safety Donte Whitner said he’s tired of being mocked on the field each time they suffer a defeat to the three-time Super Bowl winners.
"Yeah, by the end of the fourth quarter they are laughing at us,” Whitner shared of his humbling experience after losing to the Pats last season. ”It always happens.”
Whitner, who never won a game against the Pats since joining the Bills in 2006, believes the sole reason for their rival’s success vs. Buffalo is Tom Brady.
Since 2001, Brady went 15-1 against the Bills and completed 65 percent of his passes for 3,713 yards and 33 touchdowns.
The Bills have to contain Brady, if they would want to end the losing streak.
"We’re ready to beat New England and I know coach wants to go up there and beat New England. So we have an opportunity and what we do with that opportunity is up to us.” Whitner added. It will never happen Patriots 34-Bills 10
The Bills (0-2) are expected to go all out against the Patriots after they suffered a humiliating 34-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers last week.
However, history does not favor the Bills coming into Sunday’s matchup.
In their last 11 matches, the Bills were simply outclassed by their AFC East rival, as they lost by an average margin of 33-11.
Nevertheless, the Bills are determined to turn the tables this time around.
Bills safety Donte Whitner said he’s tired of being mocked on the field each time they suffer a defeat to the three-time Super Bowl winners.
"Yeah, by the end of the fourth quarter they are laughing at us,” Whitner shared of his humbling experience after losing to the Pats last season. ”It always happens.”
Whitner, who never won a game against the Pats since joining the Bills in 2006, believes the sole reason for their rival’s success vs. Buffalo is Tom Brady.
Since 2001, Brady went 15-1 against the Bills and completed 65 percent of his passes for 3,713 yards and 33 touchdowns.
The Bills have to contain Brady, if they would want to end the losing streak.
"We’re ready to beat New England and I know coach wants to go up there and beat New England. So we have an opportunity and what we do with that opportunity is up to us.” Whitner added. It will never happen Patriots 34-Bills 10
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots Preview Week 3
The New England Patriots got off to a fast start with an impressive 38-24 home win over the defending AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals, but they were cut back down to size in Week 2 with a disappointing 28-14 loss to division rival New York. Fortunately, New England has an excellent opportunity to bounce back this week against the Buffalo Bills, who are coming off a 34-7 loss at Green Bay. In fact, NFL odds makers are expecting a blowout, listing the Patriots as a 13-point favorite with the total set at 42.
The Patriots took a 14-10 lead into halftime against the Jets, but they were outscored 18-0 in the second half. Mark Sanchez outperformed future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, as he was able to take advantage of New England’s young secondary.
The Jets went right at second-year corner Darius Butler, and it paid off. Braylon Edwards was able to burn him for a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Butler was also flagged for two pass interference calls that led to another New York score.
As a collective unit, New England had no answer for tight end Dustin Keller, who caught seven passes for 115 yards and a score. The Patriots are going to need Butler and Devin McCourty to improve if they are going to win the AFC East.
A date with the Bills could be just what the doctor ordered for these young corners and the rest of the defense. Buffalo is only averaging 89 yards per game through the air. Last week, quarterback Trent Edwards was just 11 of 18 for 102 yards and two interceptions. He was also sacked four times. A dominant performance against Buffalo could be the confidence booster this defense needs before heading to Miami in Week 4.
New England has won 13 in a row against Buffalo, and eight of those wins have come by at least 13 points.
Buffalo played division rival Miami tough in Week 1, losing by just 5 points, but the Bills were completely outclassed last week. They could be in for another embarrassing loss if the offense can’t find a way to move the football.
The Bills have had 23 total possessions in two games, and nine of those have been three-and-outs. Seven of those possessions have gone for negative yards. In all, Buffalo has managed just 23 first downs, 352 yards and 17 points on the season.
Going into the season, Buffalo felt it had a better chance of winning games by running the football, but this may be the week to turn Edwards loose to see what he is really made of. Thus far, the New England defense has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 68.7 percent of their passes.
Defensively, the Bills must come up with some takeaways if they are going to pull off the shocking upset. The Jets were able to pick off Brady twice, and we saw the result. Consider that Buffalo is a perfect 7-0 against the spread since the beginning of the 2008 season when it forces two turnovers, winning these games by an average score of 27.1 to 18.9.
Buffalo Bills will lose to the New England Patriots once again. Patriots 41-Bills 13
The Patriots took a 14-10 lead into halftime against the Jets, but they were outscored 18-0 in the second half. Mark Sanchez outperformed future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, as he was able to take advantage of New England’s young secondary.
The Jets went right at second-year corner Darius Butler, and it paid off. Braylon Edwards was able to burn him for a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Butler was also flagged for two pass interference calls that led to another New York score.
As a collective unit, New England had no answer for tight end Dustin Keller, who caught seven passes for 115 yards and a score. The Patriots are going to need Butler and Devin McCourty to improve if they are going to win the AFC East.
A date with the Bills could be just what the doctor ordered for these young corners and the rest of the defense. Buffalo is only averaging 89 yards per game through the air. Last week, quarterback Trent Edwards was just 11 of 18 for 102 yards and two interceptions. He was also sacked four times. A dominant performance against Buffalo could be the confidence booster this defense needs before heading to Miami in Week 4.
New England has won 13 in a row against Buffalo, and eight of those wins have come by at least 13 points.
Buffalo played division rival Miami tough in Week 1, losing by just 5 points, but the Bills were completely outclassed last week. They could be in for another embarrassing loss if the offense can’t find a way to move the football.
The Bills have had 23 total possessions in two games, and nine of those have been three-and-outs. Seven of those possessions have gone for negative yards. In all, Buffalo has managed just 23 first downs, 352 yards and 17 points on the season.
Going into the season, Buffalo felt it had a better chance of winning games by running the football, but this may be the week to turn Edwards loose to see what he is really made of. Thus far, the New England defense has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 68.7 percent of their passes.
Defensively, the Bills must come up with some takeaways if they are going to pull off the shocking upset. The Jets were able to pick off Brady twice, and we saw the result. Consider that Buffalo is a perfect 7-0 against the spread since the beginning of the 2008 season when it forces two turnovers, winning these games by an average score of 27.1 to 18.9.
Buffalo Bills will lose to the New England Patriots once again. Patriots 41-Bills 13
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