Archives for October 2013

‘”I checked with the doctors and he’s ahead of schedule with where he is right now,” said Marrone.’

‘Stevie Johnson still has to test his lower back injury in practice Wednesday to see just where he’s at after what was essentially a week off for the Bills top receiver. Missing a full week of practice left interim starting quarterback Thad Lewis without a valuable slot receiver in the passing game last Sunday. Lewis isn’t 100 percent healthy either, but if both are on the field this weekend in Miami, working between the numbers should be even more productive than it was this past week.’

‘Buffalo and Miami will meet for the 95th time in the regular season this week. The Bills are 37-56-1 all-time against the Dolphins. This week’s game will mark the 48th regular season road game for Buffalo in their series against Miami (15-31-1). The two teams have squared off 25 previous times in the month of October (9-15-1).’

‘Whether it’s Thad Lewis, Matt Flynn, or Jeff Tuel starting at quarterback, the Bills should not be satisfied with “almost” winning games and certainly should not play as if they’re already thinking about the draft in April.’

‘Probably the most impressive aspect of Lewis’ performance was his poise. At no time did the game seem too big or too fast for him and, though being sacked five times and losing a fumble on an ill-considered pass-fake during a scramble, he never seemed flustered.’

‘How quickly he is able to absorb the Bills’ offensive scheme will determine who backs up Lewis on Sunday. Marrone said that Flynn looked comfortable and in a good rhythm during his workout, and that the team liked his experience.’

‘”Marquise is a football player,” said defensive back Aaron Williams, who played with Goodwin at Texas. “He’s not a track guy. He’s shown you his toughness and his physicality. As long as he stays healthy and does what he needs to do to keep his body right, he’ll be a great player for us.”‘

‘Orchard Park police, working with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office before, during and after the game, issued 86 summonses to people for violating the open-container ordinance. Those officers also arrested two 18-year-old males, a Horseheads youth charged with unlawful alcohol possession and a Blasdell youth charged with marijuana possession.’

‘Coach Doug Marrone said that x-rays and an MRI came back negative on Lewis’ foot, and he said of Sunday’s game in Miami, “We’ll list him day to day, I think he’ll be out there Wednesday, and I feel good about him being able to play on Sunday.”‘

‘Jeff Tuel met with Marrone to ask about his status, which seems to be trending downward. “Listen, here’s what it is,” Marrone said, paraphrasing what he told Tuel. “Do I expect you to be happy with that? No, I don’t want you to be. I want you to, ‘Hey, I’m going to show you, and I’m going to work my butt off.’ You don’t have to agree with what your role is. You have to do it, but you don’t have to agree with it. Then you’re the one that can change it by getting better.”‘

‘Coach Doug Marrone all but ruled out Flynn’s chances of starting Sunday, when Buffalo (2-4) travels to Miami (3-2). Marrone won’t rush Flynn in, saying he needs time to become comfortable with the offense.’

‘Flynn was released by the Oakland Raiders on Oct. 7 after he lost the starting job to Terrelle Pryor. He appeared in two games for the AFC West club and threw for 246 yards with a touchdown and interception.’

‘”I think I did OK,” said Lewis, who threw for 216 yards with two passing touchdowns and one rushing. “It’s never good when you don’t come out with a ‘W.’ That’s the reason we play this game, to win. We did OK. We’ve seen some things that we can do better as a team. We’ll watch the film and correct the mistakes. But we’re right there.”‘

‘An MRI revealed Monday that Thad Lewis has a mild foot sprain and he is day-to-day, according to NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk. Lewis, promoted from the practice squad last week to start against the Cincinnati Bengals, threw two touchdown passes and ran for another in the Bills’ overtime loss. Lewis was injured late in the game and he was replaced by Jeff Tuel.’