Archives for September 2012

‘”You have to work on your whole game,” said Howard, who is preparing half for Williams and half for the Bills defense in general. “Technique, pass protection, run blocking. There’s definitely times where we’re focusing on individual players, but you really have to focus on the game as a whole.”‘

‘Transcripts of conference calls by Buffalo head coach Chan Gailey and defensive end Mario Williams with Jets reporters Wednesday afternoon…’.

Buffalo Bills defense kept in the dark about the NY Jets’ Wildcat offense featuring Tim Tebow (New York Daily News)

Rex Ryan says quarterback Mark Sanchez is ‘a strength, not a weakness’ for the NY Jets in 2012 (New York Daily News)

Mark Sanchez jokes that NY Jets owner Woody Johnson’s Tim Tebow comments all about ‘selling seats’ (New York Daily News)

NY Jets’ signing of Tim Tebow ‘rattled’ fellow QB Mark Sanchez, says Santonio Holmes (New York Daily News)

Santonio: Sanchez ‘rattled’ when he found out Jets grabbed Tebow (New York Post)

Howard’s big task: Stopping Williams (New York Post)

It’s time to prove he’s the Sanchise (New York Post)

Starting QB takes jab at Woody’s Tebowmania (New York Post)

Hunter has a lot to say (New York Post)

Sanchez: ‘I’ve got to play the cards I’m dealt’ (New York Newsday)

First test for Sanchez comes Sunday vs. Bills (New York Newsday)

Jets’ Wildcat package could cause problems for Bills (New York Newsday)

Jets’ new RT Austin Howard faces daunting task in blocking Bills’ Mario Williams (Newark Star Ledger)

Buffalo Bills know to expect Wildcat but little else from Tim Tebow and Jets, who will tailor it to be defense-specific (Newark Star Ledger)

Mark Sanchez says ‘I gotta play the cards I’m dealt’ with Tim Tebow, Wildcat (Newark Star Ledger)

Darrelle Revis says Jets excited for season to start, doesn’t know if he’ll cover Steve Johnson (Newark Star Ledger)

Jets’ Dustin Keller says he should be able to play against Buffalo Bills (Newark Star Ledger)

Mark Sanchez relishing responsibility (Bergen Record)

Marcus Dixon glad to be back (Bergen Record)

A Tackle’s Worst Nightmare (Wall Street Journal)

Sanchez establishing himself as Jets’ leader (AP)

WR: Tebow deal shocked Sanchez (ESPN)

Rex Ryan relishing underdog role (ESPN)

Tebow: It’ll Be Fun to Run Some of This Stuff (NewYorkJets.com)

Sanchez: Physically I Feel the Best I’ve Felt (NewYorkJets.com)

Rex: We’ll Get to See What This Team’s All About (NewYorkJets.com)

Cheers: Malone Takes Over Punting Job (NewYorkJets.com)

Dixon Returns, Malone Signs On to Punt (NewYorkJets.com)

Bills: We’re Not There Yet, but We’re Close (NewYorkJets.com)

Gameday guide: 9/9 Jets vs. Bills (NewYorkJets.com)

‘The Bills’ season opener at the Meadowlands Sunday leaves Williams eager and ready to finally start earning the six-year, $100 million contract he signed in March.’

‘Wilson had hip surgery in spring 2011, and his health has slipped, making it difficult for him to travel. After he’s regularly attended Bills home games since founding the franchise in 1960, Wilson was able to attend only one last season.’

‘”This is where we make the money,” Dareus said. “This is what they pay us the big bucks for. They made a great investment on the front four, and I’m pretty sure we won’t disappoint them.”‘

‘”It is a division opponent so I guess that gives the extra urge to come out on top,” wide receiver Stevie Johnson said. “If it was non-division it would still be big because it is kickoff (weekend) but this is our division opponent. We will see them later on, who knows, we may see them for a spot in the playoffs. This is big for both of us.”‘

‘Both clubs will try and run the football and help their quarterbacks, coming off shaky preseasons, manage the game instead of play bombs away. Buffalo had average success on the ground against the Jets in two losses last year while the Jets were very effective behind the play of Shonn Greene (4.8 average a carry). That allowed QB Mark Sanchez to play in his comfort zone, something he didn’t do all the time for the year. Buffalo led the AFC with a 4.9 rushing yards per carry average so it’s capable, especially with a healthy Fred Jackson. There are no surprises among these division rivals, although the Jets do have Tim Tebow at their disposal. He’s expected to be used in a Wildcat capacity, on short-yardage and goal-line plays. Buffalo has familiarity with the cult hero, roughing him up for four interceptions and three sacks in a 40-14 victory over Denver last year. As always, ball protection is key. The Bills lost just five fumbles all of last season to tie for the league low. Meanwhile, Buffalo scored an AFC-best 127 points (second most in the NFL) off of their 31 takeaways.’

‘”There were a lot of reasons behind it,” Thigpen said. “My agent talked to them, and I’m just glad to be here, and looking forward to the season.”‘

‘”Oh shoot, I was like oh no, please don’t, please don’t,” Ryan said when recalling the three-day courting process the Bills engaged in to land Williams. “Obviously you wish those players were on your team, but the fact that he went to Buffalo, it’s like, oh boy. He’s a tremendous football player.”‘

‘”Yes they’re higher, I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say the expectations are higher. They’re higher for the offensive line, they’re higher for the receivers, they’re higher for the defense, they’re higher for the kicking game, our expectations as a team are higher which is where you want to be.”‘

‘In its write-up on the Bills, Forbes wrote that “The Bills are arguably the most troubled franchise in the NFL.”‘

‘Ryan Fitzpatrick and Fred Jackson will be the offensive captains, George Wilson and Kyle Williams lead the defense, and Brian Moorman and Corey McIntyre listed as the special teams captains.’

‘On what QB Ryan Fitzpatrick needs to show this season: He just needs to play. He is good enough to take us where we need to go. That has never been a question in my mind. You can probably go back and find out how many times I have said this but every time I have said the same thing. There is no question in my mind. We just need to make sure we protect him and let him go play. If he goes, plays the way he is capable of playing and we get better as a football team he will be just fine.’

‘It is big for us. Week to week it varies in terms of how much we are going to lean on it. You have to stay balanced versus these guys because otherwise they will just tee off on you.’