Archives for October 2011

‘The defense had to account for a number of injuries. Kyle Williams sat out, and Shawne Merriman is now out for the season. Dareus made his first start at nose tackle for Williams, and Spencer Johnson replaced Merriman. Johnson had four tackles, a sack and a blocked field goal.’

‘The guy who wound up being scared to death was Redskins quarterback John Beck, who was sacked – THIS IS NOT A MISPRINT – nine times by a Bills defense that entered the game with an NFL-low total of four sacks in its first six games. The nine sacks were the second most in franchise history, and the most since Buffalo recorded 11 on Dec. 13, 1964. The nine sacks also were the most against a Redskins team in 33 seasons.’

‘Scott Chandler has 15 catches this year. Of those 15, six have gone for six (including this week’s brilliant sideline work). Most touchdowns for a Bills tight end since who? Jay Riemersma? Tim Euhus? Michael Gaines?’

‘Buffalo’s defensive front continued to make life miserable for the John Beck as he rarely had time to set up in the pocket. He was dropped three more times in the second half as the Redskins did not have a possession last more than eight plays in the game.’

‘”It was a bit of concern,” said Chris Kelsay. “I think everybody in the locker room would say that. If they don’t they’re lying. He’s played spectacular for us this season. He’s not the only motor behind that offense for us, but anytime you have the leader of your offense go down like that it’s obviously a concern.”‘

‘What’s the old axiom in football — offence sells tickets and defence wins championships. right now the bills defence is giving up acres of yardage both on the ground and through the air.’

‘Serious negotiations on extending the current lease, which runs through July 2013, have not yet begun. The Bills want significant upgrades to Ralph Wilson Stadium, paid for by New York State and Erie County, in order to sign an extension.’

‘The Bills’ defense ranks last in the NFL in sacks and it lost pass-rusher Shawne Merriman this past week. The Bills don’t like to blitz a lot. In fact, the Bills rushed five or more attackers half as much as the Redskins this year — on 21.3 percent of pass plays, as opposed to 44.7 percent for Washington. Will the Bills be forced to gamble more often to put heat on the quarterback?’

‘Bills 30, Redskins 14.’

‘Do you really think Jim Kelly’s group, or any group interested in buying the team and keeping it in Western New York, will want to pay all that money for the franchise and continue giving away a home game? What’s the point, then, if not a short-term cash grab by the current owner?’

‘The Washington Redskins will line up against Buffalo players about whom they know next to nothing, much less having exchanged bruises.’

‘Roll, as in rolling in dough, is what the Bills are doing because of the deal as Toronto media giant Rogers Communication agreed to pay the team $78 million to stage five regular-season and three preseason games through 2012.’

‘”We’re 4-2 now and then we have the Jets and then three away games (Dallas, Miami and the Jets again) so this game is like a must win to go 5-2,” wide receiver Stevie Johnson said. “For the most part the Jets are a team that has been beating us, so we want momentum going into that game. So this is going to be a big game for us to get that W.”‘

‘The 4-2 Bills and the 3-3 Redskins thought they were well on their way to proving such until both suffered tough losses in their most recent starts. Whoever gets the ‘L’ on Sunday has a long road ahead.’

‘And when it was brought up to Gailey this week that he’ll be coaching against the presumptive favourite for the job he eventually got when the Bills face the Washington Redskins at the Rogers Centre, the fact he might have been a second choice didn’t faze Gailey in the least. “We’ve got a bunch of folks on our team that feel that way,” he said tersely. “I feel right home.”‘