Archives for December 25, 2012

‘Second-year man Aaron Williams has made nine starts, including Sunday’s game in Miami, while veteran Leodis McKelvin started four before being placed on injured reserve last week because of a groin injury. Rookie Ron Brooks has also started two games. Second-year man Justin Rogers, while not starting any games, has seen ample playing time as the nickel cornerback.’

‘Need we revisit all the sketches for the Peace Bridge and the waterfront? If there were championships for planning, Buffalo wouldn’t need a Super Bowl or Stanley Cup. This is the only region where the federal government could set aside $6.1 million to move toll barriers and see $5.3 million flushed down in a drain of studies.’

‘The injury puts Chandler’s availability for the beginning of the 2013 season in jeopardy.’

‘For Fitzpatrick, a new ball cap and clipboard because the only place I want to see him next year is on the sideline as the backup. He has more touchdown passes than Jack Kemp, believe it or not, but he also has a 19-33 record as the team’s starter. Sunday’s pick at the Miami 1-yard line was classic Fitz. He’s just not a winner.’

‘Where do you begin to look for answers to the myriad problems the Bills have? Will Ralph Wilson Jr., at age 94, from his headquarters on Lake Michigan, start fresh next season with a new General Manager, coaching staff and quarterback? Probably not, but all three will share the brunt of the blame for the Bills’ failures this season.’

‘It’s been a disappointing season, to say the least, for the Bills in 2012, as the team stands at 5-10 heading into its final game of the season against the Jets – the same team that throttled the Bills, 48-28 in the teams’ week one meeting. Many are wondering what the future looks like for a team with the NFL’s longest postseason drought (13 years and counting).’

‘Sgt. Justin Hunter and his wife, SSgt. Cherie Hunter, both Marine veterans, celebrated a random act of kindness Sunday when they traveled to Garner to pick up the title and keys to a 2009 Ford F-250 pick-up. The truck was being donated to them by football star Mario Williams, a Richlands native who is now a defensive end with the Buffalo Bills.’

”’I’m not into that right now,” Gailey said Monday. ”I’m into let’s beat the Jets and finish this thing the way it needs to be finished.”’

‘Chandler was hurt on the Bills third play from scrimmage after he fell awkwardly while making a 25-yard catch.’

‘Over 15 games this season, Chandler posted career highs with 43 catches for 571 yards and also tied a career-high with six touchdowns.’

‘When asked Monday on whether Tyler Thigpen or Tarvaris Jackson may get a chance to show what they can do in the team’s regular season finale, head coach Chan Gailey answered back with the word ‘No,’ repeatedly. When asked why he wouldn’t entertain the idea, he expressed faith in Ryan Fitzpatrick as his starter at least one last time. “He gives us the best chance to win,” Gailey said bluntly.’

‘The move now leaves the Bills with only 52 active players on their roster. The injury to Dorin Dickerson, although not considered to be serious, puts his status in question for this coming weekend. Besides him, Buffalo has only Lee Smith on the roster, so a move for a tight end could be made at some point this week.’

‘The Bills’ most recent loss to the Miami Dolphins now puts the team’s win-loss record to 5-10 and has them in a position to have a fairly solid draft pick. San Diego’s win over the New York Jets pushed Buffalo up one more spot in the projected first round.’

‘”I think everything will be evaluated at the end of the year. Things have not gone in the win column like I wanted them to or any of us wanted them to. I know we’ve let fans down. They believed in us. I believe we’re headed in the right direction but I don’t have any proof to show for that. I know everything is evaluated, I’m a big boy. I know everything is evaluated at the end of the year.”‘

‘The job is production and winning and we have not gotten there. We knew that we were going to have some work to do to get it done and have not gotten it done yet. You keep trying to find out the winning edge for this group of men. That is what you keep looking for. What is the winning edge for this group of men? We have not been able to get to it yet. We are getting closer, but we are not over the hump.’