Archives for October 13, 2011

‘Start with the fact Buffalo is averaging 33 points a game, having already scored 164 with only Green Bay (173) and New England (165) producing more. If the Bills’ points-per-game is lost on you, consider that in the franchise’s 51-year history, Buffalo has never averaged even 30 points per game, the best being 28 in 1964 and ’91.’

‘Bills 34, Giants 28.’

‘”That’s pretty much what we expect,” said Fred Jackson, who currently ranks third in the league in total yards from scrimmage. “Our opponents are usually the big name teams. They have a bunch of big names guys and that’s what the national media is focused on. We’ll continue to fly under the radar. As long as we get the opportunity to go out and stack wins we’ll get that (recognition) eventually. But right now we don’t have any problems flying under the radar.”‘

‘The Bills rank No. 1 in the NFL in red-zone offense, scoring TDs on 75 percent of their trips inside the opposition’s 20-yard line.’

‘ Of course, they’re allowing 421.8 yards a game, a staggering rate that would shatter the franchise record by close to 1,000 yards. The defense is 31st in the league in first downs (yes, at a franchise record pace) and average yards allowed per rush.’

‘ “It’s a pretty sensitive spot in my foot,” said Williams, who would not disclose the exact injury. “Once I get warmed up and going, it has been OK. But like I said, it came to head Sunday. I actually thought somebody had fallen or hit me in a spot. But I just came off of it in a bad way, got caught with it and couldn’t do anything. So hopefully we can get some strength back in there, calm the inflammation down and play on Sunday. That’s what I want to do.”‘

‘Without getting specific, Gailey went on to say: “We’ll try some different things. We’ll work some different ways to get that done. I think we can do it with our packages.”‘

‘”It’s a good honor. I’m very appreciative of it,” he said. “But my teammates helped me to receive it. Without Arthur’s (Moats) pressure on Mike Vick, hitting him in the back, I might not get that interception. It just goes to show you when you win, and everybody’s on the same page, it’s a total team effort. And these are some of the accolades that you get.”‘

‘But Gailey has worked wonders with Fitzpatrick, who is second behind Tom Brady in the AFC with a 96.4 rating after completing 66 percent of his passes for 1,233 yards and 10 touchdowns, and the coach gets raves from Fitzpatrick’s teammates for his grandfatherly style. “He doesn’t say a lot – he just expects you to go out and do your job well,” Merriman said.’

””Nah, no regrets,” Smith told The Post yesterday as the surprising Bills prepared to visit the Giants on Sunday. “I’m just excited to be with a team that’s winning games.”‘

‘Q: Has your team surprised you? A: No. I think if you’re a coach and you’re a leader of any sort you’re not surprised by success, you’re surprised by failure. I expect us to win every time we walk out there, I don’t care who we’re playing or when we we’re playing. You expect to win. Everything you do, every practice rep that you take, every meeting minute that you spend is done with the idea that you’re going to win. You’re surprised when you lose, not when you win.’

Speedy Rookie Is a Hit in the Giants’ Defense (New York Times)

NY Giants move Mathias Kiwanuka around, wait for Osi Umenyiora & D-Line to fire on all cylinders (New York Daily News)

NY Giants were aware of Jimmy Kennedy’s possible suspension before signing, DT remains silent (New York Daily News)

Prince Amukamara practices with Giants special teams, NY Giants await doctor’s ‘OK’ for Chris Snee (New York Daily News)

Much-improved Bills are out to erase all doubt (New York Post)

Smith has ‘no regrets’ leaving Jets for Bills (New York Post)

Ball security a must vs. Buffalo (New York Post)

Coughlin revives players’ council (New York Post)

Coughlin knew of failed drug test (New York Post)

Baas: Giants gotta run (New York Post)

Giants have to play keepaway vs. Bills ‘D’ (Newsday)

Giants knew ban was possible for DT Kennedy (Newsday)

Giants vs. Bills: Jake Ballard, Bear Pascoe, Scott Chandler playing a variety of roles (Newark Star Ledger)

Eli Manning, Giants focused on avoiding turnovers against Bills (Newark Star Ledger)

Giants work out a pair of long snappers as possible fill-ins for injured Zak DeOssie (Newark Star Ledger)

Giants’ Jacquian Williams, featured in ESPN documentary on agents, to hire Drew Rosenhaus (Newark Star Ledger)

Giants fullback Henry Hynoski accepts neck burner as hazard of ‘something I love doing’ (Newark Star Ledger)

Giants’ Brandon Jacobs, Justin Tuck still out of practice with injuries (Newark Star Ledger)

Giants know Bills ‘D’ has nose for the ball (Bergen Record)

Kennedy suspension no surprise (Bergen Record)

Giants need to be wary of Bills’ pick-proficient defense (Trenton Trentonian)

Ball security key for Giants against Bills (ESPN)

Giants knew Jimmy Kennedy had issue (ESPN)

Snee, Jacobs, Tuck unable to practice (ESPN)

NFL fines Giants’ Kenny Phillips $20K (ESPN)

Giants’ run game is fizzling, ranked 28th in NFL (AP)

NFL fines Giants S Kenny Phillips $20,000 for hit (AP)

Tuck, Jacobs, Snee, Umenyiora all miss practice for Giants (The Sports Network)

Giants can’t afford turnovers against hot Bills (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy And Personnel (The Sports Xchange)

Weatherford can always count on Carney (The Sports Xchange)

Jennie Finch Visits Timex and the Giants (Giants.com)

Behind Enemy Lines (Giants.com)

Healthy Baas rejuvinates run game (Giants.com)

Mark Herzlich Journal (Giants.com)

S Antrel Rolle (Giants.com)

WR Mario Manningham (Giants.com)

C David Baas (Giants.com)

CB Prince Amukamara (Giants.com)

QB Eli Manning (Giants.com)

Buffalo Bills Coach Chan Gailey (Giants.com)

Coach Tom Coughlin (Giants.com)

Wednesday’s injury report (Giants.com)

‘With Donald Jones expected to miss up to six weeks with a sprained ankle, the Bills’ No-Name receivers are preparing to add another layer of anonymity. Naaman Roosevelt, anyone?’

‘Gailey, though, is concerned about Fewell’s familiarity with Buffalo after he spent four seasons there as defensive coordinator and served as interim coach for the final seven games of 2009. “Well, he certainly knows a lot of the people that are on this team,” Gailey said. “He knows what some of the strengths and weaknesses are of some of our players. I think that’s probably a little bit of an advantage for him to be able to talk about personnel.”‘

‘”I’ve always felt like if I get the touches I can do it,” said the humble Jackson, a 2007 Bills free-agent signing, about putting up big numbers and leading the league in all-purpose yardage. “We’ll see how it goes. I think if I continue to get the touches, then I’ll have a great shot at it.”‘