Archives for December 2010

‘The Bills couldn’t have picked a tougher opponent to host the day after Christmas. New England’s players are no strangers to cold and snow and in fact thrive in tough conditions. Meanwhile, the Patriots have won six consecutive games in Buffalo and 14 straight in the series. Job One will be to limit QB Tom Brady and his offense ranked No. 1 in scoring in the NFL to under 30 points. New England is 59-2 under coach Bill Belichick when it scores at least that much. The Bills have a good chance to move the ball and find the end zone against New England’s No. 28 defense but they have to protect the ball. The Patriots are 30th against the pass and Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown a TD pass in 15 consecutive games but New England is also plus-20 in turnover ratio. If Buffalo’s defense doesn’t make a few game-changing plays, Fitzpatrick isn’t likely to win a shootout against Brady (31 TDs, four interceptions), who hardly ever loses to the Bills. He had three TD passes in this year’s first meeting, a 38-30 Patriots win. New England has plenty of motivation in this rematch, too: It can clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture with a win and earn the right to rest its key people in the final game of the year.’

‘The Bills continue to build up struggling rookie first-round pick C.J. Spiller as a player with a bright future. While he’s contributed on special teams, Spiller has not had the kind of impact on offense expected of the ninth overall pick in the draft and one of the most prolific runners in NCAA history. He has 65 carries for 248 yards and no touchdowns and 22 catches for 103 yards and one score receiving. Gailey said Wednesday that Spiller needs to improve in reading his blocks and in blitz pickup but still tagged him an “amazing talent.” Said QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: “It’s probably frustrating for him not to step in and score 20 touchdowns this year. The expectations are always high for a first-round pick. But he’s going to be a very special player and I think he’s really grown up this year. I think he’s getting a better feel for the NFL game and the guy has a tremendous future.”‘

‘”They’ve won four of the last six games,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday before practice for Sunday’s matchup in Buffalo. “There’re not a lot of teams that are doing better than that over the last six weeks in the National Football League. Not a lot.”‘

‘An undrafted free agent out of California, Johnson split training camp between Philadelphia and St. Louis before being released by the Rams prior to the start of the season.’

‘Ryan Fitzpatrick, Fred Jackson and Stevie Johnson have a chance to pull off the relatively rare feat of posting 3,000 yards passing, 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season.’

‘Johnson (6’1″ 194) lined up at free safety during OTAs and minicamp in the spring, but was released by Buffalo in late June and did not make it to Bills training camp in the summer due to a surplus of safeties on the roster.’

‘He wants to be one of the league’s elite linebackers, and hopes that play is just the beginning.’

‘"It was a long time, I got a little bit in the preseason but I was waiting a long time for this moment," said Roosevelt, who had a second reception for 24 yards in the third quarter. "I just want to take every opportunity I have and make the best of it. I’m excited about what’s going on and being able to show what I can do."’

‘Although their record would say otherwise, there’s something about this Bills team that keeps its fans glued to the TV on Sunday.’

‘Buffalo/Miami was a perfect rivalry thanks to the cities’ differences. I totally get the logic of a rust-belt division — it would be natural to toss the Bills, Browns, Steelers and maybe the Lions in one and have them slug it out, but to me it’s also kind of like fratricide. What do I have against other cities with a tavern on every corner? Nope, I’ll take Miami any day — and as much as I hate them, I can’t imagine life without them. In rivalry terms, we are the aging, long-married couple who talk over each other, curse each other, resent each other, but at the end of the day make sure each other’s pill case is full.’

‘Florence walked through Walmart with a group of children from the Lillian Bryant Recreation Center as they picked out Christmas presents paid for by the Drayton Florence Foundation. Most of the youngsters went for toys, but Anthony Crim and his brother Altwan, bought some T-shirts and a present for their mother.’

‘Well, if you’re going to endure a season like this one, it might as well end with games that matter. It’s been awhile since the Bills had a true signature win.’

‘”It would take a long time to discuss what he’s brought to our football team,” said head coach Chan Gailey. “Trying to put it in a nutshell it would be that everybody sees his toughness. Everybody knows how smart he is. He does a great job of getting us into the right plays and making adjustments, during the week and in the game to allow us to be successful. Not being afraid to do anything on the football field. He’ll throw it to anybody that’s open. He’ll give anybody a chance. He’s not locked in to one thing. That gets everybody excited about playing.”‘

‘I’ve got to give him a solid B. Do you remember the mess he inherited in January? Cut the guy a little slack. I understand that he and Buddy Nix made a mistake on Edwards, but hey, like any coach, he thought he could be the one to resurrect Edwards. He was wrong. Give him credit for making the move to Fitz so early in the season.’

‘The Bills used the blitz to great effect during Sunday’s 17-14 win at Miami. Here are some examples…’