Archives for October 2011

‘The difference in Jackson’s game in 2011 is the number of big plays he’s been able to produce on offense. Through the first five games the Bills back has 16 big plays (10 yards or more) giving him better than three per game.’

‘The celebration of the Buffalo Bills’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles was short-lived Sunday for dozen of motorists pulled over by Erie County sheriff’s deputies and state troopers who stepped up patrols in the hours after the game.’

‘The Bills were then able to run out the clock for the win when Ryan Fitzpatrick drew the Eagles offsides on a fourth-and-inches play, giving the Bills a first down. Philadelphia had used all its timeouts on the three previous plays in an effort to get the ball back.’

‘”We came out there all week, we thought about defense, set him up with some blitzes,” Barnett said. “We worked in the first half and we made some adjustments, and we had to make some more adjustments later on in that fourth quarter. They played hard, I mean, making plays is a hard job for anybody and they made some plays.”‘

‘At some point, this isn’t a coincidence. Good teams make big plays at critical times. This is a good team. There, I said it. Not mediocre, or average, or young and maturing. Good.’

‘”We may not be household names, and we may not be on a lot of websites or magazines, but that’s not why we play the game,” Wilson said. “We play the game for each other, for the men in this locker room. We’re not worried about the individual accolades or who gets recognition. All we’re worried about is the win. There’s enough gravy for everyone.”‘

‘After No. 2 receiver Donald Jones suffered an ankle injury, Roosevelt was inserted into the lineup and finished with a personal high five receptions in the Bills’ thrilling, 31-24 victory Sunday over the Philadelphia Eagles. Roosevelt, the St. Joseph’s and University at Buffalo standout, led the Bills’ receivers in catches. Running back Fred Jackson had a team best six receptions for 85 yards.’

‘Were the Bills actually going to snap the ball and go for it? “I’ll never tell,” said Gailey. “Every Saturday we line up and we practice it. You don’t think it’s going to work, but the one time it does it wins the game for you.”‘

‘Twice in three weeks, four picks against a superstar quarterback. It can’t all be luck.’

‘”Work with the NFL, work with the team, and make sure the stadium continues to stay competitive,” Goodell said. “That’s the bottom line. [The stadium] is great. It needs some more work. It means we’re going to have to do some work here. It’s going to take more investment in the stadium. But that’s a great investment, because it will help keep the Bills competitive and keep them here in Western New York, which is what we all want.”‘

‘Buffalo’s defense, meanwhile, collected five takeaways overall leading to 17 points, none bigger than linebacker Nick Barnett’s second interception of the game with 1:49 to play and the Eagles driving for the tying touchdown.’

‘The Bills need a lot of improvement on defense to become a team capable of winning a game or two in the playoffs, but if they can continue shining on the turnover table, they might end their 11-season non-playoff streak.’

‘Fred Jackson is a man. So is George Wilson. Wilson was all over the field. Can’t believe he was once a wide receiver with no career in front of him.’

‘A month ago if someone predicted the Bills defense would give up yardage totals of 454, 495, 458 and 489 in successive games and win three of them, would you have believed it? Would you have believed Buffalo’s defense was capable of intercepting Brady and Vick, two of the game’s best quarterbacks, a total of eight times?’

‘Will Eagles coach Andy Reid do anything bizarre to cost his team the game? Oh my, what a buffoon Reid looked like at the end of the first half when he ordered one more play and the clock ran out, costing his team a chance for three much-needed points. For a guy who has held the same job for 12-plus years and been to the playoffs seven times, he may be the worst game-day coach in the league.’