Archives for December 28, 2013

‘It’s the first time since 2009 that the Bills have had any players voted directly into the league’s all-star game. Byrd, Kyle Williams and C.J. Spiller all played in the game last year, but they were added to the roster as injury replacements.’

‘”Very fortunate just to be able to start one game in the NFL, but for it to be my fifth game here with the Bills and a great organization, I feel very fortunate. I’m excited about the challenge.”‘

‘Manuel thus finishes with a record of 4-6 as a starter, completing 180 of 306 passes (58.8 percent) for 1,972 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions for a passer rating of 77.7.’

‘n 10 games (really 9 1/2 after leaving the Cleveland game early), Manuel finished 33rd of 38 qualified quarterbacks in yards per game (197) and yards per attempt (6.44). He was 30th in quarterback rating (77.7) and 28th in completion percentage (58.8). His home-road splits were terrible, too. Going by QB rating, Manuel’s 91.8 at home would’ve been good for 10th best, while his 64.4 on the road would rank last in the NFL.’

‘”Thankfully Wilfork and Mayo are out so they’ll have to shuffle a couple of guys around,” Bills running back C.J. Spiller said, “but they’re still playing great football and still positioning themselves to get to the playoffs.”‘

‘They do a really good job taking the ball away, but they also give it away frequently.’

As next man in line, Josh Kline was ready (Boston Globe)

Tom Brady one of four Patriots named to Pro Bowl team (Boston Globe)

First-year payoff (Boston Herald)

Amendola focuses on now (Boston Herald)

This end up for action (Boston Herald)

Pats hope to finish what they started in Week 1 with another win over Bills (Providence Journal)

New England’s playoff picture is coming into focus (Providence Journal)

Mulligan not ‘the man’ but valuable nonetheless (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

4 Patriots named to Pro Bowl (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Patriots cut Austin Collie; Thad Lewis to start for Bills (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

New England Patriots say they won’t be watching the scoreboard this weekend (Springfield Republican)

Rookie safety Duron Harmon will have to play the role of communicator if Devin McCourty is unable to play this week (Springfield Republican)

Tom Brady, Logan Mankins, Aqib Talib, and Matthew Slater earn Pro Bowl nods (Springfield Republican)

New England Patriots release Austin Collie (Springfield Republican)

Devin McCourty doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills (Springfield Republican)

Bills’ offense could have Patriots’ defense on the run (Brockton Enterprise)

Patriots will try to stay grounded (ESPN Boston)

Bill Belichick Says He Does Not Plan on Paying Attention to Scores of 1 p.m. Games Before Patriots Play Bills (NESN)

Rob Ninkovich Deserves Pro Bowl Recognition; Patriots Defensive End’s Value Cannot Be Seen in Traditional Stats (NESN)

Thad Lewis Announced as Bills’ Starting Quarterback Against Patriots on Sunday; EJ Manuel Listed as Doubtful (NESN)

Devin McCourty Listed as Doubtful for Patriots After Missing Three Days of Practice With Concussion (NESN)

Kenbrell Thompkins’ Season Comes Full Circle As Rookie Balances ‘Giving Great Effort’ With Staying Healthy (NESN)

Austin Collie Released by Patriots for Second Time This Season As Team Regains Health at Wide Receiver (NESN)

Pro Bowl Snubs Include Devin McCourty, Muhammad Wilkerson, Julian Edelman on 2014 Roster (NESN)

Harmon doing well in McCourty’s absence (CSN New England)

Belichick: Playoff scenarios ‘not even on my radar’ (CSN New England)

McCourty, Boyce missing; new RB McGuffie at practice (CSN New England)

Kline: ‘Surreal’ road from undrafted to starter (CSN New England)

Patriots sign rookie RB McGuffie to practice squad (AP)

Patriots release receiver Collie (AP)

Patriots set to face Bills (AP)

5 things you have to know about the Bills (WEEI-FM)

Patriots release WR Austin Collie for a second time (WEEI-FM)

Tom Brady and Aqib Talib among four Patriots selected to Pro Bowl (WEEI-FM)

Patriots Friday injury report: Josh Boyce ruled out, Devin McCourty doubtful, 11 questionable (WEEI-FM)

Patriots sign RB Sam McGuffie to practice squad; Release RB Cierre Wood (Patriots.com)

Patriots release WR Austin Collie (Patriots.com)

Four Patriots selected to NFL Pro Bowl Squad (Patriots.com)

Patriots – Bills Injury Report (Patriots.com)

Bill Belichick Press Conference Transcript (Patriots.com)

‘Lewis will make his fifth start this season and second straight following a 19-0 win over Miami. He has a 2-2 record and has thrown for three touchdowns and three interceptions since his promotion from the practice squad in early October.’

‘”We just lost some heartbreaking games,” running back C.J. Spiller said. “We just have to find a way to be able to get over that edge and we will. We’ve got a great leadership group. We’ve got a lot of great guys coming back in the near future. We’re definitely going to get over that hump and make the Bills fans happy.”‘

‘”I would say he’s a little more explosive – he’s more of a runner,” Talib said about Lewis. “EJ Manuel kind of runs around, he’ll throw it when he has to. Lewis, he kind of looks to run a little bit more.”‘

‘Wide receiver Stevie Johnson (personal) and safety Aaron Williams (ribs) have been ruled out for Sunday’s game.’

‘Patriots 27, Bills 19.’

‘”At the end of the day I made a decision not to put him out there for no other reason because I thought Thad would give us the best chance to win this game with EJ’s injury not progressing.”‘

‘Lewis is starting his fifth game of the year. He also started in place of Manuel last Sunday in beating the Miami Dolphins, completing 15 of 25 passes for 193 yards with an interception.’

‘Officially, Manuel is listed as “doubtful” for the game against the Patriots, but the coach said despite that designation that Lewis would indeed be the starter. The injury is to the LCL in his left knee, but Marrone reiterated that as far as he knows it would not require a surgical procedure in the off-season.’