Archives for December 20, 2010

‘We have not had playoffs in this millennium for the Bills. We will not have them again in 2011. But I am getting a feeling that we might see something special on Sunday. A loss by New England probably would not have that much impact on the Patriots season. They will likely win the division and get home field throughout the playoffs. But a win by the Bills will finally end the losing streak against New England (14 in a row and counting) and might be the tipping point that makes the Bills relevant in the NFL again (at least going into next season).’

‘”The young guys, those young receivers made some great plays out there,” Fitzpatrick said. “I told them I am going to give them a chance, I am not afraid to throw it to any of them because I know if we get matchups that we are going to come down with it most of the time and they made some good plays.”‘

‘In what was one of the flattest efforts imaginable in a game that they had to win, the Dolphins were outplayed by the going-nowhere Bills and lost 17-14.’

‘Ryan Fitzpatrick always does something in a game that amazes me, and he always does something that makes me continue to believe he’s not a franchise quarterback. But I will take him in a second over Miami’s Chad Henne. Come to think of it, I’d take him over at least half the QBs in the NFL.’

‘Will RT Mansfield Wrotto be able to handle Miami’s Cameron Wake? Wrotto wasn’t solely responsible, but Wake was never a factor. In fact, the NFL sack leader was almost invisible as he was in on just two tackles. In all, Ryan Fitzpatrick was sacked only twice for 12 yards.’

‘Chan Gailey did a nice job getting the young receivers involved in the game plan, and he had his team ready to play, and win, in a road division game. The Bills defense is getting better as George Edwards continues to tinker with the scheme, and with the personnel. It’s not a bad thing when you’re getting better as the season moves along. GRADE: B.’

‘”The young guys, those young receivers, man, they made some great plays out there today,” beamed Fitzpatrick after the game. “I said I’m going to give them a chance. I’m not afraid to throw to any of them, because I know if we get matchups we’re going to come down with it most of the time. They made some good plays.”‘

‘”We kinda knew coming in that [Henne’s] forte is not throwing the ball downfield,” said Bills cornerback Drayton Florence. “And then, these last few weeks with their O-line being banged up he’s been hit a lot, too. So we knew the ball would be coming out quick, which they did throw a lot of short passes. But you know in this league offenses can’t win dinking and dunking down the field.”‘

‘It matters. Beating Miami always matters. You could tell by the roar in the visiting locker room afterward. You knew it when Ralph Wilson, who never stopped believing the rivalry matters, appeared with a big smile on his face.’

‘”It’s always good to win a game, and I tell you what, what is hard for me to figure out is how we can win these games when we started out with no players,” Wilson said with a hearty laugh. “Our drafts in the last 10 years have been terrible. So I mean, these guys, before each play you read the scorecard to see who’s in there. That’s what amazes me. We pick up a guy in the middle of the week and he starts on Sunday.”‘

‘Coaching: A: Told players they were a much better team than the one that lost to Dolphins in opener, and backed it up with a solid game plan.’

‘Nelson (6-foot-5, 212 pounds) is part of a young, emerging set of receivers in Buffalo. With leading receiver Lee Evans placed on injured reserve last week because of an ankle injury and Roscoe Parrish’s season ending after eight games, the Bills’ top four receivers Sunday consisted of three rookies – all undrafted free agents – and Steve Johnson, who is in his third year.’

Miami Dolphins’ loss to Buffalo Bills ends playoff hopes (Miami Herald)

End of a Hall of Shame season for Miami Dolphins (Miami Herald)

Another loss proves Miami Dolphins’ Henning must go (Miami Herald)

Miami Dolphins looked lousy and confused against Bills (Miami Herald)

Miami Dolphins continue to struggle with interceptions (Miami Herald)

Grading the Miami Dolphins vs. the Buffalo Bills (Miami Herald)

Photo gallery (Miami Herald)

Dolphins lose to Bills, 17-14, ending their playoff hopes (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Unheralded Bills receivers exploit Dolphins secondary in loss (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Home ineptitude untenable on many levels (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Bills’ Fitzpatrick again pockets a crushing win over Dolphins (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Marshall had nothing to apologize for against Bills (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Dolphins’ loss says it’s time to start over on offense (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Mandich’s Take: ‘A year of great frustration’ (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

ESPN: Dolphins on Bill Cowher’s short list (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Dan Carpenter after missing four kicks: “I let our team down” (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Sparano Q&A: ‘We just didn’t make any plays’ (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Chad Henne Q&A: ‘We just seem not to get it done’ (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins earn F for disastrous home display, playoff elimination (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Photo gallery (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

With playoff hopes on the line, Miami Dolphins come out flat and lose 17-14 to Buffalo Bills (Palm Beach Post)

Miami Dolphins’ Brandon Marshall: We’ve been ’embarrassing’ on offense (Palm Beach Post)

Wildcat play works once for Miami Dolphins, but it kills momentum on a critical fourth-quarter call (Palm Beach Post)

Former Florida Gator David Nelson making his mark as a Buffalo Bills receiver (Palm Beach Post)

Miami Dolphins owner should try to hire Jon Gruden or Bill Cowher (Palm Beach Post)

Quick hits from Miami Dolphins’ 17-14 loss to Buffalo Bills (Palm Beach Post)

Photo gallery (Palm Beach Post)

Dolphins Playoff Hopes End With 17-14 Loss To Bills (MiamiDolphins.com)

Dolphins-Bills Postgame Notes (MiamiDolphins.com)

Dolphins Postgame Quotes (MiamiDolphins.com)

Bills Postgame Quotes (MiamiDolphins.com)

Photo gallery (MiamiDolphins.com)

Photo gallery (AP)

Photo gallery (Buffalo News)

Photo gallery (Rochester D&C)

‘Miami (7-7) is 1-6 at home and 6-1 on the road. No NFL team has ever had such a disparity, according to STATS LLC.’

‘Bills tackle Demetrius Bell (knee), cornerback Drayton Florence (fibula), linebacker Chris Kelsay (knee) and guard Andy Levitre (knee) were all active after being on the injury report during the week.’