Archives for September 2011

‘He’s been referred to as “Fitzgerald” enough times it’s become a running joke.’

‘Patriots 35, Bills 27.’

‘Johnson was running routes during positional drills, but after running a route had a noticeable hitch to his step walking back to the line of scrimmage. Regardless, Johnson still practiced in full on Thursday according to head coach Chan Gailey.’

‘”I don’t think I’m ever gong to play every play throughout the whole season,” Merriman says. “It’s unrealistic because when I’m in there I want to be 100-percent. I want to feel like I have my legs up under me and not just be able to play that game, but be able to play the rest of the games beyond.”‘

‘”It’s probably one of the greatest days of my life, seeing them in our hometown, playing here, “Gordy tells News 4 Sports. “All those years, we always thought they would come here and play for Buffalo, we were always hoping. This is probably the second best thing ever, that they’re coming in here playing in Buffalo, and they’re on the same team. It’s only happened 30-times, that two brothers played on the same team, and the first time ever that two brothers ever played the same position.”‘

‘The best way for the Bills to win will be to control the clock, win the time-of-possession battle, keep Brady off the field. Engaging in a shootout might be entertaining for awhile, but Brady very well could wind up with 600 passing yards against a Bills “D” that still isn’t getting enough pressure on quarterbacks and was burned badly when its defensive backs didn’t compete strongly enough for balls in the air.’

‘Kelsay has been there for all 15 losses, including the three heart-breakers. “We’re expecting to win this game in front of our fans,” he maintained. “You hear a lot about how they’ve had our number, which they’ve had. But we’ve got a lot of confidence with the guys in this room. We’re definitely not going to lay down for anybody. We’re preparing to win this game and when we step on the field Sunday we’re expecting to win.”‘

‘It was because of the conversation I had with Chan [Gailey]. Chan called me on draft day. We did our research in anticipation I didn’t get drafted. We talked to about three or four teams we felt would be the best fit for me just in case I didn’t get drafted. I had already known about Chan and his offense, and how he used his big receivers and four-wide receiver sets. So after talking with him, he said he was going to give everybody a fair shot. He liked what I did at Florida and he would give me an opportunity to come in and compete. And that’s all I can ask for. Going undrafted all I wanted was to come in, compete for a job and show what I can do. Coming in from Day 1, he gave me that opportunity. He was a man of his word.’

‘Patriots 38, Bills 27.’

‘Now entering year two Nelson has emerged into a consistent playmaker, with Jones not far behind. According to head coach Chan Gailey, Nelson is expected to handle the majority of Parrish’s role having worked primarily out of the slot himself.’

‘”He’s running the ball extremely well. He’s hitting the holes like we all know he can and he’s such a valuable player for us,” Bills coach Chan Gailey said. “He can protect. He can run routes. He can run the football inside and outside and the line is doing a [good] job of helping him find those creases, too.”‘

‘”What they did to us last year in the running game is irrelevant,” Bills safety George Wilson said. “It’s a new team, a new defense, new guys at new positions and a new mind-set. We know they’re going to try to come in and impose their will on us, just like they do every other opponent they face. Ultimately it’s up to us to play the type of football we know we’re capable of playing.”‘

‘So there will be a lot on the line for Fitz this Sunday. It’s only one game, but it would be an incalculable boost to an evolving Bills team to beat New England. It would also do wonders for Fitz’s confidence and stature, not to mention his bargaining power, if he had a big game against the Pats.’

‘”I’m excited, but I’m doing a lot of studying, a lot of watching film, a lot of meeting time with Fitz [Ryan Fitzpatrick] and the receivers and getting the understanding of where I need to be.”‘