Archives for October 11, 2011

‘”We had to sit with our record for almost eight months,” said Wilson. “We couldn’t wait to go back to work early, working on the 2011 Buffalo Bills. We had to take this all through the spring and the summer. When we got back to training camp, the first thing the coach says to us is ‘Expect more of yourself, demand more of yourself and let’s be accountable.'”‘

‘If you’re keeping track, that’s four of Buffalo’s five top tacklers who play in the defensive backfield … three of them safeties. And that brings to mind one of football’s oldest clichés: “You’re in big trouble defensively when your safeties are making the tackles.”‘

‘”Naaman steps up,” said Stevie Johnson, the team’s primary receiver. “Naaman came in and we didn’t miss a beat. He did his thing and it just shows the type of guys we have on our team.”‘

‘Pressure on the quarterback doesn’t always lead to sacks — the Bills recorded just one on Sunday — yet it sometimes delivers something more beneficial: takeaways. Three of Vick’s four interceptions were a direct result of pressure from both the edge and the middle and helped thrust the Bills to a 31-24 triumph. The harassment of Vick — which included six quarterback hits — also led to 10 pass breakups.’

‘So Jackson is playing the sort of football that made Thomas a Hall of Famer. It’s only five games. But we haven’t seen an all-around back like this since Thomas. Jackson is a threat as a runner and receiver. Like Thurman, he’s a terrific blocker, and a punishing runner who shifts momentum with big, timely runs.’

‘”We’ll work some different ways to get that done. I think we can do it with our packages,” Gailey said. “I’m not sure we need to have any knee-jerk reaction to try and find somebody today, but if somebody comes along who looks like they might fit, we’re always trying to upgrade our football team.”‘

‘Some may shudder at the thought of $75 million to $100 million in stadium maintenance and improvements. Not Kailbourne, though. “In keeping step with what other teams in the league are doing, $100 million wouldn’t be out of the question for the stadium, to remain relatively state-of-the-art,” he said. “It’s not going to be Dallas, but you have to keep it up to snuff.”‘

‘”I think the eyes are open,” said cornerback Drayton Florence, who made a key pass break-up that led to Nick Barnett’s game-saving interception with less than two minutes to play against the Eagles.’

‘Jackson has been great, but he’s getting some help from the offensive line. The move of Eric Wood from guard to center seemingly has given this unit its own quarterback. He’s doing a nice job keeping things together through some injuries. Last year, the line yielded an average of 2.125 sacks per game but that’s dropped to under 1.0.’

‘Head Coach Chan Gailey told reporters Monday that Jones would be out 4-to-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain, but that the injury is not of the season-ending variety. In the tunnel after the game, the Bills’ starting wide receiver was seen on crutches with a boot on his ankle.’

‘”We’ve got to put him out there right now,” he said. “We gotta leave him out there, especially while Chris [Kelsay] is out.”‘

‘Oliverio said, “I’m confident that leadership locally and at the state level can get this done and they’re such an asset to our community that there’s no reason not to.”‘

‘”I know I can play in this league,” Spiller said. “I’m not letting my confidence shoot down because I’m not getting the touches. I know what I’m capable of doing, what type of player I am. I’m not for one second thinking that I can’t play running back in the NFL, so whenever I get my opportunity I’m going to take advantage of it.”‘

‘Defensive coordinator George Edwards dialed up the pressure, a departure for him. He sent several packages at Vick, some that included linebackers, others that included defensive backs. He still had to find a way to stop the run, though. Chan Gailey did a nice job of attacking Philadelphia’s weaknesses on defense, using the run up the middle with Fred Jackson, and he also employed a short passing game that minimized the effect that Philly’s star cornerbacks could have on the game.’

‘Two years ago, the Bills tied for the league lead in interceptions as Jairus Byrd, then a rookie, tied for the individual high with nine. Buffalo is back on that pace again in 2011, as it leads the league with 12 picks through five weeks. Nick Barnett made two, and he became the third Bill in as many weeks to return an interception for a touchdown. It’s just the second time in team history the Bills have had a streak like that. In 1960, their first year of existence, they returned a pick for a TD in four straight games.’