Archives for December 2010

‘Jonathan Stupar leads the Bills’ tight ends in catches with 10. Buffalo’s tight ends have combined for 19 catches on the season, and the Bills are last in the NFL in tight end receptions.’

‘"I think there are probably plenty of people who want me to trim it or cut it up, especially of the female variety," Fitzpatrick said. "I’ve gotten a lot of different comments and stuff, [like] ‘how does your wife deal with that?’ But it’s part of it. She’s along for the ride."’

‘Fitzpatrick said, “I was a low draft pick and there were zero expectations for me, especially when I was young. I find that it’s hard for these guys to come in with such high expectations to perform early. It’s almost unfair to a point, I think. I do have sympathy for those guys.”’

‘Fitzpatrick, a graduate of Harvard, certainly had the intelligence to compete right away after being selected 250th overall by St. Louis in 2005. But even when he did get his first real shot three years later, starting 12 games for Cincinnati in place of an injured Carson Palmer, he struggled, going 4-7-1 and throwing more interceptions (9) than TD passes (8).’

Miami Dolphins’ Chad Henne, Bills’ Ryan Fitzpatrick highlight different schools of thought (Miami Herald)

New York Jets’ Sal Alosi suspended indefinitely (Miami Herald)

Kevin Curtis hopes to make the most of his second chance (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Jets suspend Alosi indefinitely for ordering wall in tripping incident (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Buffalo Bills’ Ryan Fitzpatrick (drafted 250th overall) looks more secure in job than Miami Dolphins’ Chad Henne (Palm Beach Post)

N.Y. Jets admit that their strength coach ordered the human-wall tactic used against Miami Dolphins (Palm Beach Post)

Fans give cold shoulder to Miami Dolphins’ Cameron Wake and Dan Carpenter in Pro Bowl voting (Palm Beach Post)

Carroll keeps seeing himself get tripped (AP)

Inside slant (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy and personnel (The Sports Xchange)

es, quotes (The Sports Xchange)

Misi Picking Up Steam Opposite Wake; Other Notes (MiamiDolphins.com)

Dolphin Digest’s Countdown To Kickoff: Dolphins-Bills (MiamiDolphins.com)

Coach Sparano Press Briefing & Transcript (MiamiDolphins.com)

Chad Henne Media Availability & Transcript (MiamiDolphins.com)

‘”This Buffalo Bill team coming in here is going to be ready to go here and they’re getting better and better,” Sparano said.’

‘”He’s a guy you have to account for on every play,” said Bills starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. “We’ve played some good pass rushers and he’s definitely up there with the best of them. He’s having a great year. It’s just being aware of where he is on every play.”‘

‘The Dolphins have accumulated 35 sacks, 10 interceptions, and have held eight opponents to 17 points or less. Their run defense was silly good in holding Cleveland to 57 yards and the Jets to 87 the past two weeks, two teams with pretty fair ball carriers in Peyton Hillis and LaDainian Tomlinson. The Bills will need a passing game if it hopes to run on Miami, but without Evans, the task just got a bit harder.’

‘The Bills, whose pass rush is beginning to show up, have forced seven takeaways in their past two games and need to continue that trend against a Dolphins offense dealing with injuries along its offensive line. With starting tackle Vernon Carey (knee) on IR and Jake Long dealing with a bad shoulder, the Bills need to turn loose the dogs and get after Chad Henne. He was sacked five times and lost two fumbles against the Jets last week but Miami managed to hang on for a 10-6 win. Defense has been Miami’s strength, particularly vs. the run where opponents have averaged just 98.6 yards. The Bills rushed for just 50 yards against Miami in a Week 1 loss. Still, Buffalo can’t abandon the run and take to the air too early, especially with a young receiving corps missing Lee Evans (ankle). Miami has been on a win-lose, win-lose pattern for nine consecutive weeks. The pattern says a loss is next. Can Buffalo pull off the upset and spoil the Dolphins’ playoff hopes?’

‘After a season-long drought, Buffalo’s defense has collected seven turnovers in its past two games. The Bills are hoping to take advantage of a Miami offensive line missing star tackle Vernon Carey. “I wouldn’t say we’re playing differently, it’s a matter of being more comfortable in the scheme, knowing each other and playing off each other,” SS Bryan Scott said. “The pass rush is there now and it’s turning into big plays and interceptions. Guys are finishing so it’s become huge for us.”‘

‘Comparatively undersized at 6-foot-1 and 306 pounds, and largely underappreciated, Williams has been the defense’s most consistent player as the Bills (3-10) prepare to play at Miami (7-6) on Sunday.’

‘”It’ll be a big challenge,” said Ryan Fitzpatrick. “Out of our top four we have a seventh rounder that hadn’t played until this year really and three undrafted rookie free agents. So you look at that and the first thought is, ‘Oh no, we’re doomed.’ But I told you in the preseason and the offseason that the three guys we have, Naaman Roosevelt included, they can all play.”‘

‘Jones’ journey will take another twist Sunday in Miami. He’s set to receive the most extensive offensive playing time of his career. With veteran Lee Evans going on injured reserve because of an ankle injury, Jones moves up to the No. 3 receiver job behind Stevie Johnson and fellow undrafted rookie receiver David Nelson.’

‘The designation means Evans will miss a game for the first time in his career. He’s played in 109 straight since joining the Bills as a first-round draft pick (13th overall) out of Wisconsin in 2004. He’s also started 71 straight since the 2006 season.’

‘With his season cut short Evans will finish with career lows in catches (37) and receiving yards (578). The emergence of third-year wideout Stevie Johnson, who developed into a go-to option in the team’s passing attack, also compromised Evans’ numbers.’