Archives for November 21, 2011

‘What is really frightening about how poorly the Bills have played during this losing streak is that the offense is totally shot. They have not scored a meaningful touchdown since that game in Toronto. I will still hold on to the thought that Ryan Fitzpatrick can win in this league. But he is a guy who even on the best of days needs help.’

‘It seems painfully apparent that Edwards’ crew is stubbornly sticking with a 3-4 alignment without adequate personnel and that’s merely complicated by injuries to nose tackle Kyle Williams and outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, both on injured reserve. Cornerback Terrence McGee was likely lost for the season against Miami and strong safety George Wilson, that unit’s best player this season, missed the game with a neck injury.’

‘”A runaway train is 0-8,” he said. “That’s a runaway train and you’re trying to correct it. This is, we’ve done it. It’s not like we haven’t done it. We’ve got to get our guys back, keep everybody together, keep fighting and keep working. It will not be easy because it is bad right now. It is and I understand that and I see that, and I’m responsible for it. So we’ve got to get it going in the right direction. We’re going the wrong direction on that train, but I don’t think it’s a runaway.”‘

‘"I wish I could give you an explanation," coach Chan Gailey said. "We’re not very good right now, that’s the bottom line. We’re not."’

‘Hours earlier Jones and McGee were carted off the field with their legs placed in inflatable braces, one done for the season and the other perhaps to follow soon.’

‘They’re a finesse team with questionable depth. That’s a lethal combination in the NFL, where physically inferior teams are exploited over a long season. The Bills have been pounded three weeks in a row. The Dolphins knocked their blocks off. There were at least three instances where Bills had their helmets knocked clear off their heads.’

‘Levitre struggled with snaps Sunday, especially from the shotgun during the Bills’ 35-8 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Levitre started at center for Wood, who will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Guard Kraig Urbik will start at center Sunday when the Bills play the New York Jets.’

‘For the first time in 22 years, the Bills saw one of their punts blocked and recovered in the end zone for a touchdown.’

‘Gailey said he doesn’t have any answers. It shows. Passing game is stagnant, same as pass rush. Maybe it’s time to grade the general manager.’

‘Their once-promising season, which at the very least seemed destined to end their 11-year playoff drought, is imploding all around them, and they don’t have a clue as to what has gone wrong.’

‘Sure, the math says they are still very much in the hunt in the mediocre AFC, but if you have watched them play the past three weeks, you know it’s a travesty to even mention the “P” word and the Bills in the same sentence.’

‘Can Ryan Fitzpatrick get his groove back? Not only did he not get it back, it’s further away than ever. Fitz was awful. Neither pick was his fault, but he threw more off-target passes in this game than Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers has probably thrown all season. Fitz looks overwhelmed right now, though throwing to the guys he has to throw to sure doesn’t help.’

‘C.J. Spiller carried twice on goal-line plays and failed to score on both and he wound up with three carries for two yards. He just doesn’t seem to understand how to play in the NFL.’

‘Buffalo went 0-12 on third down and lost the turnover battle. Buffalo’s first drive looked great, but nothing worked after that. My biggest complaint is about Levitre at center. The color commentator noted that Fitzpatrick knew going in that Levitre misses his shotgun snaps low and to the left. If this was such a problem in practice why would they have him play the position anyway? Levitre is the best lineman on the team, so they should let him play his natural position. Also, if he can’t do shotgun snaps, why doesn’t Gailey change the offense so Fitzpatrick operates from under center?’

‘The Dolphins set up two touchdowns with interceptions. They scored on their first three possessions and led 21-3 after 18 minutes. The game was essentially over. And, so, are any lingering playoff hopes for the Bills who are now once again simply looking to regain respectability.’