Archives for September 16, 2013

‘The real key play of the drive, though? A pass interference call on Carolina’s Luke Kuechly. That penalty came on a 3rd-and-6 with just 21 seconds left and the Bills still 31 yards from the end zone. The Panthers appeared to have the game iced, as Colin Jones picked off a Manuel pass. But Kuechly was flagged for pass interference, which moved the ball all the way to the Carolina 11 and gave possession back to the Bills.’

‘The touchdown capped a nine-play, 80-yard drive in which the first-round draft pick completed 6 of 8 attempts for 51 yards. Manuel also got help on third-and-6 from Carolina’s 29, when Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly was penalized for pass interference with 14 seconds left.’

”’It boosts our morale,” Williams said of a team that was still stinging a week after giving up a last-second field goal in a 23-21 season-opening loss to New England. ”It shows that we can believe in each other, take care of our business.”’

‘Thomas was hurt early in the second quarter when he went up the left sideline and led with his helmet in tackling Woods. Thomas was on the field for a few moments, but was able to get up on his own. He went to the Panthers sideline before being escorted to the locker room.’

‘Ferguson said before the Bills’ game against the Carolina Panthers that ”this young quarterback has a good head on his shoulders and seems to me he has a natural talent to throw the football.” He adds: ”I’m expecting a lot of good things from him.”’

‘For the Bills, Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd was inactive for the second straight game. Byrd is bothered by plantar fasciitis in both feet.’

‘Manuel hit a wide-open Stevie Johnson for the game-winning touchdown with two seconds remaining, lifting the Buffalo Bills to a 24-23 victory at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘Manuel was 27 of 39 for 296 yards and one touchdown. Bills running back C.J. Spiller rushed 16 times for 103 yards, while Johnson caught eight passes for 111 yards. Buffalo defensive end Mario Williams established a team record with 4.5 sacks.’

‘Pettine has made a huge difference in a Bills defense that was historically bad in recent years.’

‘In years past, that was a game Buffalo usually falls on the wrong side of. They vowed as a franchise to become a more aggressive, attacking group to force the issue on their opponents. Two weeks in, the Bills seem as though they have a new identity they’re trying on for size.’

‘Yes, I’m a neutral observe in the media, but how can you not enjoy talking to an emotional Manuel afterwards. It was his Dad’s birthday and he was up for the game. Manuel embraced him after the game, “I think we were both crying and just elated about the situation, being that it’s the first win and like I said, it’s his birthday. My dad has been to all my games since I was six years old so nothing’s changed. To see his face up in there before the game is awesome. Like I said, to have him in this opportunity and this situation is great.”‘

‘I was preparing for a Buffalo Bills Football Monday where I’d be saying something like “you knew there’d be days like this” or “its part of the growing pains process with a rookie quarterback” but instead I get to talk about an energizing week two triumph and a rookie quarterback who is injecting life into long suffering Bills fans. As Bart Scott would say “can’t wait.”‘

‘Marrone went on to say that Manuel had stretches where he made poor decisions but “he has a quality where he is able to get back on track and that is a good quality.” Marrone added “He’s our quarterback, we expect him to lead us down the field and score.”‘

‘Marrone also said that while he is thrilled with the victory, there is a lot to work on and correct. “Offensively, we moved the ball at times, but there were some criticals [errors], you know again a penalty came up that really hurt us, we made a couple of tough reads and I don’t think we made the best decisions.”‘

‘It’s funny how much changed during the late 1:36 drive to close things out. Manuel played like a young quarterback early and often on Sunday. He missed receivers. His two turnovers in the second half appeared to all but bury the Bills. Still the first round pick shook off the growing pains of a rookie to show the poise of a veteran when it mattered most.’